Financial Planning advice and support is no place for racism and abuse

Today you will see a different side of me, but I don’t think I have ever been treated that way while living in Australia for over 36 years.  

Number of posts and comments triggered creation of this article and the video. I am angry and appalled by behaviour of some people.  

I know we all have different points of views and different options on almost every topic, and we can all expresses our believes and opinions in the way that can create an open discussion and improve understanding of the issue discussed.  

But comments that are meant to be cruel, rude and almost racists, will not be tolerated on my YouTube channel. I will not be sitting quiet and letting anyone abuse or bully me or other listeners and subscribers of my channel.  

My name is Katherine Isbrandt from About Retirement, I am Certified Financial Planner, who knows and understands law in Australia.  

And today I am coming to you angry, disappointed and appalled by abusive behaviour of some people towards me and other people watching my videos.  

Verbal abuse also known as verbal aggression, or, verbal assault, is a type of psychological or mental abuse that involves the use of a spoken or a written language directed to a victim. Verbal abuse can include the act of harassing, labeling, insulting towards an individual with intention to frighten or humiliate a person. 

On my video: “9 ways to legally hide money from Centrelink Age Pension” this is the post appeared: 

It says: “You are obviously from Europe or maybe even Russia, is this how you treat your New country teaching people to hide money from Centrelink, as I always say it is the immigrants that know every loop hole. The pension is quite easy”

Obviously, I have replied, as I will not allow anyone to bully me here or anywhere else, but since not everyone reads the comments section, I have decided to prepare this video. 

As per my written reply:

1. My heritage has nothing to do with the channel, and frankly it is none of your business. If you wish to watch and learn, you are most welcome. If you have a question, please ask. If you have a comment either positive or negative, feel free to leave it below my video, as long as it is written about the topic discussed and it is written in a non-abusive or aggressive manner. 

2. Last time I checked the Australian history, the only original, native people in Australia are indigenous Australians, the ethnic groups that lived in Australia before British colonisation. Are you of the original Aboriginal heritage? 

3. My suggestion is to be very careful with such abusive and racist statements, as majority of Australians are immigrants, so you are not just attacking me, but most people watching this channel as well.

4. Upon checking my video again, about an hour after posting my reply, the offender removed her comment. What does it say about you now?

The second appalling behaviour is the terrible language used on some posts and comments. Especially in relation to the video: “Changes for retirees under the new Labor government”

1. I dared to make a mistake and spell the name of the party in a proper British -English way, well which created a big drama and many unpleasant and sarcastic comments. Well, if anyone felt offended, I apologise but at the same time, I am surprised, that this was more important than the content of the video.  

Also, I found it very strange that my misspelling mistake appeared to be more offensive that the horrible, abusive, and destructive language used by many leaving comments.  

Since when it is OK to swear in public?
Since when it is OK to abuse others, just because you disagree with their point of view?
Since when is it OK to think that other people have no right to their opinions and their beliefs.

2. The point of that video was to provide an update of financial impact (positive or negative) on retirement for many under the new government. And somehow many changed this to a political argument. I had to remove so many posts due to abusive language.

Please don’t do this. My channel is not some rubbish place to release your frustration.

3. The most disgraceful part of such behaviour is that most people doing it, are hiding behind a fake name and abusing others from behind the screen. A real cowardly act of a loser.

Therefore, if you have nothing constructive to say, don’t say anything. and most certainly stay away from such language and such behaviour on my channel.

And if anyone finds my accent disturbing, my looks foreign, or my background not aligned with your preference, feel free to leave and not listen to me. I am sick and tired of abusive behaviour, unacceptable language, and racist comments.

So, if this is you, stay away from my channel, stay away from my website, stay away from people who are here to learn and to improve their lives, and their financial outcomes.  

By: Katherine Isbrandt CFP®
Money Strategist & Retirement Planner
Principal of About Retirement