Post by Banker on Apr 21, 2012 10:59:22 GMT 7
More than 23,000 West Australians had their dole payments suspended in the second half of last year for failing to show up to training, work experience or Work for the Dole commitments.
Under the "No Show, No Pay" system introduced by the Gillard Government in July last year, dole payments were also immediately suspended if the recipient did not give a valid reason for missing meetings with their employment provider or Centrelink case worker.
In WA, 23,201 people had their income support payments suspended from July to December.
There were 43,057 job seekers receiving the Newstart allowance across WA at the end of December.
Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis said the measure ensured unemployed people were making an effort to find work.
"Businesses are crying out for workers and yet there remain too many Australians without a job," she said.
"We have already seen positive early signs that this tough approach is making a difference, with more unemployed Australians showing up to their appointments and meeting their requirements over the past six months."
Jobseeker attendance rates were at 57 per cent from October to December, up 2 per cent on the previous quarter.
WA Council of Social Service chief executive Irina Cattalini said the "punitive" measure would have a disproportionate impact on people from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as Aboriginals.
"People can miss appointments for all sorts of legitimate reasons, such as being unable to afford to travel that day, not having credit to make the call," Ms Cattalini said.
She was concerned the Government had not released figures on why people missed meetings or Work for the Dole programs, fearing it could be because of mental illness, homelessness, disability, recent trauma or domestic violence.
"There is significant concern across the community . . . that the inadequacy of income support payments of only $35 a day creates significant barriers to the efforts of unemployed people to find work and present as job ready," she said.
Payment suspension would be lifted with back pay when the job-seeker agreed to attend a new appointment. But if they did not have a reasonable excuse for skipping the "reconnection" appointment, they would lose payment for each day without back pay from the date of the missed appointment.
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13487812/dole-bludgers-payments-held/
Under the "No Show, No Pay" system introduced by the Gillard Government in July last year, dole payments were also immediately suspended if the recipient did not give a valid reason for missing meetings with their employment provider or Centrelink case worker.
In WA, 23,201 people had their income support payments suspended from July to December.
There were 43,057 job seekers receiving the Newstart allowance across WA at the end of December.
Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis said the measure ensured unemployed people were making an effort to find work.
"Businesses are crying out for workers and yet there remain too many Australians without a job," she said.
"We have already seen positive early signs that this tough approach is making a difference, with more unemployed Australians showing up to their appointments and meeting their requirements over the past six months."
Jobseeker attendance rates were at 57 per cent from October to December, up 2 per cent on the previous quarter.
WA Council of Social Service chief executive Irina Cattalini said the "punitive" measure would have a disproportionate impact on people from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as Aboriginals.
"People can miss appointments for all sorts of legitimate reasons, such as being unable to afford to travel that day, not having credit to make the call," Ms Cattalini said.
She was concerned the Government had not released figures on why people missed meetings or Work for the Dole programs, fearing it could be because of mental illness, homelessness, disability, recent trauma or domestic violence.
"There is significant concern across the community . . . that the inadequacy of income support payments of only $35 a day creates significant barriers to the efforts of unemployed people to find work and present as job ready," she said.
Payment suspension would be lifted with back pay when the job-seeker agreed to attend a new appointment. But if they did not have a reasonable excuse for skipping the "reconnection" appointment, they would lose payment for each day without back pay from the date of the missed appointment.
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13487812/dole-bludgers-payments-held/
