JobSeeker row: 2GB host Ben Fordham tells unemployed dole recipient Jez Heywood to ‘get a job’
Furious dole bludger feud erupts as Ben Fordham orders ‘nagging’ unemployed Centrelink recipient to ‘get a job’: here’s his furious, foul-mouthed response
- Ben Fordham hit dole bludgers
- He criticized the unemployed Jez Heywood
- Mr Heywood hit back at the radio host
Radio presenter Ben Fordham has told an unemployed benefit recipient to ‘get a job’, prompting a foul-mouthed response.
The 2GB breakfast host let loose about “dole bludgers” on his show, sharing the stories of everyday Aussies who were also upset about recent increases in JobSeeker’s payments.
He called out Jez Heywood, 47, chairman of the Australian unemployed union, who had previously said he was “angry and annoyed” that benefits were not being raised high enough.
Fordham sent a scathing message to Mr Heywood on Friday.
“Jez says you have to weigh every financial decision you make. Why don’t you weigh in to get a job? Any job? Because we’re here to tell you that there are half a million available right now,” he said furiously.
The rant provoked a furious response from Mr Heywood.
Ben Fordham called out Jez Heywood (pictured), chairman of the Australian Un Employment Workers Union, who had previously said he was ‘angry and annoyed’ at benefits not being raised high enough
“Hey Ben Fordham, you f***ing gronk, don’t just take a cowardly swipe from the comfort of your studio, give me a call and let’s talk,” Mr Heywood tweeted.
“Let me go to your show, coward.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Heywood for comment.
The row came after treasurer Jim Chalmers this week announced a series of measures in favor of people on welfare.
The budget saw JobSeeker and Youth Allowance both increase by $40 every two weeks starting in September.
The ability to qualify for a higher rate from JobSeeker will also be reduced from 60 to 55, due to an increase in the number of older Australians on the payment.
Ben Fordham (pictured with his wife Jodie) let loose on “dole bludgers” on his 2GB show, sharing the stories of everyday Aussies angry at JobSeeker’s pay increases
The plans have sparked fierce debate as Fordham weighed in on the controversy.
“When it comes to helping these people, they barely get a crumb. All help went to people who already received help. And this is what the workers are saying to us,” he said.
‘People are angry. They want to support people who can’t work or people in between jobs. But they can’t handle the never ending handouts to people who choose to sit at home and we know there are some. More than some.’
Fordham then called out Mr Heywood for doing a newspaper interview criticizing the JobSeeker raises.
‘There’s a guy called Jez who’s popped up in the Australian paper. He is a 47-year-old unemployed graphic designer. He hasn’t had a job in six years,” he said.
And Jez says he’s not impressed with the increase in government job seekers. He wants more. He says and I quote: ‘I am angry, annoyed. This is nothing, nothing at all’.
The budget saw JobSeeker and Youth Allowance both increase by $40 every fortnight from September (pictured, queues outside Centrelink on the Gold Coast)
Mr Heywood, who has been unemployed since 2017 and has limited job opportunities due to health concerns, said the extra $2.85 a day was so small that it makes ‘no difference’.
“I’m angry, annoyed – this is nothing, absolutely nothing,” Mr Heywood told The Australian.
“The government commissioned a study that said significant increases were needed and they ignored it.”