The Jobs Australia submission Social security legislation amendment (job seeker compliance) Bill is attached.
In summary, Jobs Australia believes the measures contained in this Bill will not create better engagement and incentive to participate to the extent intended, and are more than likely to create financial barriers to participation and contribute to de-motivation.
Jobs Australia is aware of the frustration of members and waste of resources caused by job seeker non-compliance. For both Centrelink, DEEWR and employment services providers it creates financial costs, inefficiencies and distractions which detract from the goal of assisting people into employment and which must negatively impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall system.
However, we are equally aware of the impact of financial penalties on Newstart Allowance recipients surviving on meagre incomes.
