[Greens-Media] Government still silent on employment services funding

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Tuesday 11th September 2007

The Government has cut funding to community legal centres helping people
confused by its red tape of Work Choices. 

"It is clear that the Government is not interested in providing
assistance to people to help them understand these laws and wants to cut
access to independent advice. 
 
When Senator Siewert cross-examined the Office of the Employment
Advocate (now operating under the Workplace Ombudsman and the Workplace
Authority) in May 2007 they were unable to justify the funding cuts to
CLCs. 

"The Government claimed that they could provide the advice for better
value for money, yet they have done no assessment of what value for
money they provide and they continue to refer people to CLCs," said
Senator Siewert. 

"The Government is still yet to answer direct questions about why they
had cut funding to community legal centres (CLCs) for providing
workplace advice," said Senator Rachel Siewert today. 

In a statement issued today, the Employment Law Centre of WA said "at
the same time that our workload grew as a result of WorkChoices, the
Federal Government took our funding away. Now with more and more
referrals by Federal agencies, and increasing demand on our service,
deserving cases are not being progressed, injustices are not being
remedied and employees' entitlements are not pursued."

"The Government seems to have two completely differing standards for
employers and employees. Employer Advisory Programmes received more than
$20 million in both 2006 and 2007, whilst those community programs that
exist to serve the employees have received no funding after the
Community Partners Programme was dismantled in November 2006," Senator
Siewert said.

For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025 

Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au