Applying for 40 jobs a month was never going to work, for the government, no pun intended. The Coalition will reveal its final plan for the $5.1 billion job-placement system that will be rolled out next year, after receiving 60 submissions in response to its contentious draft. The submissions prompted three key changes. First, the requirement to search for jobs will be kept at 20 a month for most job seekers, with flexibility to tailor arrangements according to individual circumstances. Job providers will be expected to play a greater role in assessing that applications are genuine and appropriate. Second, the Department of Human Services will retain the role of decision-maker over whether a person had a reasonable excuse for missing an appointment with a jobs provider and the application of penalties. The plan to shift this role to job agencies had been one of the major concerns of peak groups, who argued their role was to help the unemployed find work, not punish them. Third, job agencies have been handed greater flexibility and more time in applying for government contracts. They can put in a bid but don’t need to provide all legal details until January under the new plan, while they can also bid to service part of an area. This responded to one of the major concerns from smaller providers. The government has also decided to make young job seekers carry out up to 25 hours a week of community work to keep dole payments, in a radical extension of mutual obligation. The dole is not an automatic right, its a just payment to those who cannot legitimately work, and are looking for work. For too long those employed have paid taxes to fund those who choose not to work. Considering the vast array of government payments its no wonder some choose to stay at home, unemployed.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:15:38 +0000
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