A CURRENT AFFAIR REACTS
Teaser:
Tonight the latest on the Dole Army and the controversy on our report that exposed them.
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Host:
And now to the repercussions on our story last night on the self proclaimed Dole Army. That charming and courageous group, using the internet to show people how to rout the system. There have been suggestion in a couple of media outlets today that A Current Affair was taken in by a hoax. Well, Martin King has this follow up.
Voice-over:
It began with an email.
Voice-over:
I'm the leader of a group called the Dole Army. We were established by some unemployed people who live in drain in Melbourne. We have a website were we offer info on how to scam the welfare system so people can live the life they want.
[The email is dated Jan 23 2002, 23:57
other text on the screen reads: We travel under the city through the network of drains and
This may sound far fetched and a little crazy, but I'm comple
Here is my website.
www.beam.to/dolearmy]
Voice-over:
We asked the Dole Army to show us where they lived. They refused. Instead they led us here to the bank aside the Yarra and took us inside this drain and told us they held meetings.
Reporter:
You mention on the website- scams. Well, what does that mean?
Dole Army:
Survival.
Dole Army:
Yeah, we think human survival is important and people should survive by whatever means necessary. We don't put money and morals above survival.
(cuts to reporter in front of green trees)
Reporter:
Like jobs in the Dole Army, morals seem to be in short supply. First, they demanded that we buy them a generator. We refused. Then as we continued to film them, they continued to demand some form of payment.
(cuts to)
Dole Army:
Why don't you pay us for this interview? You're getting paid to be here, we're not. If this is work then we're working right now so where's our money?
(back to)
Reporter:
We did not pay the Dole Army one cent. But another media organisation did. They say $1000. Then the Dole Army came back to us and asked us to match it. And again, we refused.
(cuts to Dole Army in dumpster)
Voice-over
Finally the Dole Army agreed to film themselves. More demand for cash. Instead they were given video tapes for their camera.
Dole Army:
(talking to camera) Well, it's been a productive day. It's time to go home.
Voice-over:
Now the Dole Army's gloating that it pulled off an elaborate hoax. But who is getting conned? These are people who admitted to us they choose not to work. They collected the dole. And actively encourage others to join them. Here's the website to prove it
(shots of website)
(cuts to)
Reporter:
When was the last time you tried to get a job?
Dole Army:
This is, this interview is getting focused so much on... (reporter tries to interrupt) what we do to look for work and soforth.
(cut)
Voice-over:
Both Centrelink and the Employment Minster Tony Abbot are investigating the Dole Army. And that is no hoax.
Tony Abbot:
Anyone who does mislead Centerlink, anyone who does claim entitlement, claim a benefit to which they're not entitled is breaking the law.
(back to)
Dole Army:
I choose not to work. I seen, I seen how badly workers get treated and I choose to organise. I choose to fight against that.
(story ends)
HOST:
Yep, I bet. That update from Martin King.
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