Carrot and stick approach for jobless

By FRANCESCA MOLD

The Government wants to make it easier for unemployed people to find jobs, but it will continue to apply tough sanctions similar to those under the scrapped work-for-the-dole scheme to beneficiaries who break the rules.

Social Services Minister Steve Maharey yesterday revealed a document titled Pathways to Opportunity which sets out the Government's plans to overhaul the welfare system.

The document said the Government wanted to build people's skills to help them find work instead of trapping them on benefits.

The document included increased spending on child care subsidies of $20 million over four years and $9 million on helping beneficiaries make the transition to paid employment.

It also promised a review of the amount people could earn before their benefit is cut. At the moment, beneficiaries lose 70c of every dollar once they earn over $80 in paid employment each week.

The beneficiary friendly approach outlined in the document is somewhat dampened by a section which outlines the "mutual responsibilities" of the Government and the unemployed.

Tough sanctions will be imposed on those who do not actively look for work or undertake training.

"This Government will not support unemployment as a lifestyle option," said the document. "Those who fail to take up suitable jobs that are offered to them will not receive taxpayer support."

From July 1, each person on a work-tested benefit will have to sign a job seeker agreement which sets out what he or she must do to try to find work.

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