[Greens-Media] Greens predict CDEP 'bonanza'

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Greens predict CDEP 'bonanza'
Wednesday 30th April 2008

Senator Rachel Siewert predicted that the re-introduction of the CDEP
scheme in prescribed communities in the Northern Territory in June would
result in a rush of willing participants who were keen to escape from
the prescriptive welfare quarantining measures and take control of their
own money.
 
"While The Greens welcome the announced reintroduction of CDEP, I
question the ability of the reinstated local CDEP organisations on these
communities to cope with the expected demand for positions," said
Senator Siewert in Darwin today.
 
"Because CDEP wages are rightfully exempt from the welfare quarantining
provisions introduced under the Howard Government's NT Emergency
Response, we expect that the demand for CDEP jobs will far outstrip the
amount of funding offered and CDEP jobs available on these remote
communities," she said.
 
"The compulsory quarantining measures and the humiliation of having to
use store cards rather than real money has been so unpopular with many
community members that we're predicting a CDEP bonanza in these
communities."
 
"I pity the poor workers who will be forced to make the difficult
decisions about who gets access to limited CDEP placements. There are
some real equity issues for the winners and losers here that the
Minister Jenny Macklin really needs to keep an eye on," she said.
 
"While a CDEP job may spell the end of compulsory quarantining, there is
a huge opportunity here for the Government to work together with local
communities to promote and extend the voluntary CentrePay scheme - which
empowers individuals to choose to put aside their own money for food and
bills."
 
"The issue of reforming and improving CDEP to ensure that it provides
useful training and experience that can lead to real jobs still remains
- but this is an important step in the right direction," concluded
Senator Siewert.
 
For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au