reynardo | Something isn't right here.

I've just had a chat with Centrelink. For those who don't know, I gave up my job because I wanted to do part-time Uni and part-time work, but my work wouldn't supply a replacement and I couldn't handle full-time work, part-time Uni, part-time housework and still be human. I therefore chose to leave work and cope on a vastly reduced sole parent pension and still attend Uni.

Work finally paid out my leave entitlements. It adds up to about 113 days worth of pay after 17 years, minus a HUGE tax amount as it was all paid at once.

But they wouldn't pay me a redundancy payment as they can't find enough computer techs (which was why they couldn't find replacement while I was studying). If they were to pay me redundancy, all the techs would be storming out of there. Why can't they find enough techs? Could it be because they pay a pittance? But I digress.

So I went to Centrelink to honestly declare that I'd received some money (after having spent some of it - hey, that's 17 years worth of my life - of course I'm going to spend some on myself and my family).

Now the screwy part.

If I'd received the money as a redundancy payment, nothing would be affected.

If I'd received the money as agolden handshake or a contract-breaking bonus or even as a reward for time and effort put in, there would be no problem.

But because it was backpaid holidays (and long service leave), I lose the pension for every day that I received the money for.

113 days.

No weekends.

No allowance for tax.

Nothing until November 9th.

In addition, because I own the house and am paying a mortgage on it, I get no rent relief. If I were renting it, I'd be getting some money from them. If I sign it over to my son then pay him rent, I'd get rent relief.

I will get a small amount (about $114 per fortnight) on one of the other allowances.

And weirdly enough, if I work during this period, I lose no more entitlements. Up to about $72,000 per annum.

I think it's time for a change in the rules.