[Greens-Media] Government toughens rules for older jobseekers as Newstart numbers spike

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Please see below for two media statements from Senator Siewert:

- Government toughens rules for older jobseekers as Newstart numbers spike
- Greens call for Abbott Government to abandon Work for the Dole


Media Release - 29 July 2014

Government toughens rules for older jobseekers as Newstart numbers spike

More than 200,000 Australians aged over 50 are receiving Newstart Allowance, according to figures provided to the Australian Greens through Senate Estimates.

"There has been an increase of 24,000 in the number of people aged over 50 receiving Newstart Allowance in the past year," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

"The Federal Government's response to this growth is to subject older job seekers to tough activity requirements, with the threat that if they don't comply, they will face cuts to their payments.

"There are now more than 200,000 older job seekers living on Newstart. That number has increased by 45% since 2010.

"Too many people are being forced to live below the poverty line on inadequate levels of income support in the years leading up to retirement. By failing to provide the quality services needed, older job seekers are being put at risk of spending a long time out of work and living in poverty, which has long term consequences for health, mental health and wellbeing.

"This problem will only worsen as the retirement age is pushed out and as changes to our workforces see industries like manufacturing continue to wind down. Clearly the Government does not understand the reality of the current labour market, including key issues like age discrimination, which is a significant barrier for older job seekers looking to get back into work. 

"Rather than making important investments in personalised support for job seekers, the Government's response is to subject people to tougher activity tests.

"There are not enough opportunities being provided to older Australians to find work or get the re-training or skills boost they need. The inclusion of the wage subsidies announced in the budget do not go far enough to address the serious barriers to employment that older jobseekers face, and nor do tough requirements to maintain access to Newstart.

"Rather than making older job seekers jump through hoops, the Government should be investing in measures to address and reduce age discrimination. More must be done to ensure suitable opportunities for training and employment are provided to help job seekers find opportunities to re-enter the work force and remain engaged in the community," Senator Siewert concluded.



Media Release - 29 July 2014

Greens call for Abbott Government to abandon Work for the Dole
 
The Australian Greens have called on the Abbott Government to re-think its Work for the Dole changes, amid serious concerns about the policy.
 
"The Government is more interested in punishing job seekers than helping people into work, and their expansion of Work for the Dole is more evidence of that," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.
 
"People shouldn't be demonised just because they don't have a job. Work for the Dole is a simplistic, one-size-fits-all response to unemployment. Past experiences show the regime is not effective for most people, and that people cycle in and out of programs because they're not getting the support they need to enter the workforce. 
 
"Work for the Dole also fails to address the reality that there just aren't enough jobs out there. 
 
"Where are people supposed to find the 40 jobs per month they're being told to apply for? Constant rejections from employers could have terrible effects on the confidence and mental health of jobseekers. In addition, the impact on businesses is likely to be substantial with potentially over 720,000 people making 40 applications for month. So much for cutting red tape.
 
"Reports from organisations such as Anglicare and Brotherhood of St Laurence have questioned the "a job at all cost" philosophy, pointing to the fact that quality support and training lead to far stronger outcomes.
 
"If the Government was genuine about wanting to help people into work, they would be investing more in case management for jobseekers and would be doing more to work with employers to generate proper jobs. 
 
"The Government should listen to the clear message coming from the community, academics and experts and abandon Work for the Dole in favour of the investments we need to help people into secure employment," Senator Siewert concluded.