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NewsMail Morning Edition Tue 21 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Government plans to rein in 'unsustainable' welfare spending By political reporter Latika Bourke Eligibility for the dole and disability pension is likely to be made tougher as part of a federal crackdown on welfare spending that the Government says is currently at "unsustainable" levels. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says the total cost of income support payments has now topped $70 billion a year, with one in five Australians receiving an income support payment. He has asked his department to carry out a review of the welfare system, with a view to ensuring it is "simple, fair and affordable". Mr Andrews says while welfare provides a critical safety net, those who can work should be given help to break what he has described as the debilitating cycle of endless welfare dependence. A report by the Department of Social Services shows just over 500,000 people receive unemployment benefits and more than 800,000 people are on a disability support pension. More » East Timor says raids by Australia were 'improper and inexplicable' Mitchell Johnson takes Allan Border Medal ahead of Michael Clarke, Clarke named Test player of the year Militant Islamist video threatens Winter Olympics Australian Open: Roger Federer beats Tsonga to reach quarters, Agnieszka Radwanska wins through Geneva II talks on Syria in doubt after UN invites Iran Japanese airline All Nippon Airways sorry over 'racist' commercial More Analysis » The ingrown toenail of Australian politics Both parties are riven by internal disputes that have less to do with policy differences (that is, visions for how to make the country better) than with factional power. Nothing has done more to undermine the credibility of the Labor party than these so-called "leadership" battles. 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Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says the total cost of income support payments has now topped $70 billion a year, with one in five Australians receiving an income support payment. He has asked his department to carry out a review of the welfare system, with a view to ensuring it is "simple, fair and affordable". Mr Andrews says while welfare provides a critical safety net, those who can work should be given help to break what he has described as the debilitating cycle of endless welfare dependence. A report by the Department of Social Services shows just over 500,000 people receive unemployment benefits and more than 800,000 people are on a disability support pension. 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More » Local market claws back losses as China data boosts miners Rising inflation may force Reserve to keep rates on hold Abbott urged to set clear direction for G20 at Davos Amnesty in the offing for offshore tax dodgers Politics More Politics » Government plans to rein in 'unsustainable' welfare spending By political reporter Latika Bourke Eligibility for the dole and disability pension is likely to be made tougher as part of a federal crackdown on welfare spending that the Government says is currently at "unsustainable" levels. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says the total cost of income support payments has now topped $70 billion a year, with one in five Australians receiving an income support payment. He has asked his department to carry out a review of the welfare system, with a view to ensuring it is "simple, fair and affordable". Mr Andrews says while welfare provides a critical safety net, those who can work should be given help to break what he has described as the debilitating cycle of endless welfare dependence. A report by the Department of Social Services shows just over 500,000 people receive unemployment benefits and more than 800,000 people are on a disability support pension. More » Use of commercial fishers to kill sharks off Perth beaches abandoned Govt offer to underpaid workers 'a stunt' Nauru's chief justice says visa cancellation is politically motivated UK party suspends councillor who blamed floods on gay marriage Sport More Sport » Mitchell Johnson wins Allan Border Medal Mitchell Johnson came home with a wet sail in Australia's Ashes whitewash to win the Allan Border Medal. 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The Commonwealth currently owns almost 1,700 gigalitres of water in the basin, following several years of environmental buy-backs. Parliamentary secretary for the environment Simon Birmingham says the trade of this year's water allocations will have important economic benefits while also maintaining environmental flows. "The core test for the environmental water holder in undertaking these activities is whether it better achieves environmental outcomes, whether it aligns with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which the Coalition is committed to implementing in full and on time," he said. More » Fishermen cautious over WA shark cull amid safety fears, Premier says Scientists collect goanna sperm in bid to create gene bank Dangerous smog in Beijing as index hits top of scale Flying foxes drop dead in extreme heat About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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