Intergenerational dependence a problem in Bathurst

Her comments come after Social Services Minister Scott Morrison reported that 12 per cent of children under 14 are growing up in jobless families.

Mrs Robinson said the “sad” situation is not confined to large cities like Sydney, and the problem is just as relevant in Bathurst.

“I find it sad because there are so many opportunities, [but] I guess the reality is there are some people who will always need benefits and no program is going to change it,” she said.

“You certainly see it a lot in indigenous culture. I see it every day, but in saying that it’s across the board.”

Mrs Robinson said children born into intergenerational welfare families learn their habits at an early age.

“They decide either ‘I saw my parents struggle and I’m not going to be like that’, or at the other end where they think ‘easy come, easy go’,” she said.

“We are so conditioned by our family structure that it’s hard sometimes to break that.

“I think it’s something that children do notice and even the language that develops like ‘getting my pay’ for welfare payments. It does get a little bit entrenched.

“There are just some [people] that it doesn’t matter what you do to break through that it’s next to impossible.”

She said some people do “break the cycle”, move into employment and contribute towards their community.

Education is a big part of breaking the cycle, according to Mrs Robinson, who said she wishes “they could have a taste that things can be a little bit different”.

“Sometimes it’s just a confidence thing. I often see that that has an impact on the whole wellbeing of a child – they don’t have a positive self- esteem,” she said.

“We live in a country where there is free education in primary and high school, and even though tertiary education is more expensive these days, there are still opportunities.”

She said hobbies or sports will expose children to different families and ways of life.