JPH 09/07/10 11:01 PM Report Abuse

This is, of course a great idea! However, why is the Coalition backing away from, as Tony Abbott put it "getting the unfair dismissal monkey off the back of small business." Obviously we cannot go back to the extreme unfair dismissal exemption rate under WorkChoices of 100 employees or less, however I think the Coalition needs to start talking specific numbers rather than in broad statements. I personally believe 25 employees or less is a great figure, much higher than the currently useless rate of anti small business Labor, which stands at 15 employees or less. Also the figure is much lower than the extreme 100 employees or less.

Kohl 11/07/10 05:25 PM Report Abuse

Senator, I find this whole idea distasteful and a failure of leadership. Using the word “Dole” is offensive and infers that the recipients are somehow to blame for their situation.

Managing unemployment is an area that the Libs can take a LEADERSHIP role. What is required to manage unemployment is good planning. At all times there needs to be a suite of productivity improving projects in the pipeline. That is, projects that have gone through proper processes and preliminary planning approvals and ready to go as required – not like the stupid knee jerk reaction like the insulation debacle!!!

Another thing, with the number of women in the workforce some of these projects also have to be female friendly.

As far as the long-term unemployed are concerned, suitable training for compulsory relocation to areas in need of workers would be more desirable. In fact, a relocation allowance to encourage all workers to these areas is a VISIONARY idea worth considering. This would have the effect of freeing up jobs for those who are unable to relocate.

Senator, get rid of this emotive language out of your vocabulary. You have a real opportunity to provide leadership as well as providing a VISION for how things could work in dealing with employment emergencies.

Australians will respond to a more inclusive slogan, viz “fair pay and a real job”

jason 12/07/10 03:59 PM Report Abuse

"The Coalition believes that working age people in good health should work – preferably for a wage but, if not, for the dole." I agree.

"The Coalition will reverse Labor’s softening of mutual obligation requirements."

I would encourage is to think about the word "mutual" in this context.

Incentivise employers to employ to lower unemployment and business taxation.

Cost of unemployment benefits Apr 2011 -> $X Bil.
Unemployment Levy May 2011 -> $X Bil

Company Board Meeting Jun Agenda Item -> 11. Reducing our Unemployment Levy

Hours Tony Abbott has to spend generating employment creation policies -> Zero

LukeF 13/07/10 03:07 PM Report Abuse

@Kohl
I don't think that the use of the word "dole" is offensive. I think it is quite a common term and without a negative bias.

I believe that the point here is... that work for the dole, helps break the cycle of chronic unemployment by forcing people into a routine, allowing them to learn on the job experience and in some cases provide positive reinforcement by earning their payments.

There are already many programs that allow people to have their education and training programs funded by the government.

As for your idea about compulsorily relocation, it could never work. You cannot force anyone to live somewhere in the community and completely over looks the mental health support, family or other support and personal infrastructure that some unemployed people may rely on.

Jason 15/07/10 07:20 AM Report Abuse

And the "unemployment levy" idea is right at the heart, right in the engine room, of this very important stated belief of the Liberal Party:

"That, wherever possible, government should not compete with an efficient private sector; and that businesses and individuals - not government - are the true creators of wealth and employment."

Trevor Targett 15/07/10 07:55 AM Report Abuse

Yes we need mutual obligation, and we can spend all day arguing the many benefits to the job seeker that mutual obligation provides.

So long as the work into which a job seeker is placed is relevant. By relevant I mean it must meet one of two criteria. First, where possible it should be like for like - that is the type of work that the jobseeker is used to/qualified for, so as to gain 'recent experience' in that field, thus increasing their chances of gaining a job in said field.

If that can't happen, then it should be the type of work that is available in the area...again to gain recent experience. There's no point sending people of to 'work' in a job where there are not many vacancies. I know of two people in years gone by who were sent to fold clothes in a charity store. Good community service without a doubt, but useless as far as jobs skills are concerned, given one was a builder, the other a teacher.

Marc Facer 15/07/10 11:34 PM Report Abuse

From my experience of work for the dole - its really not work. No one will put any effort in unless they can see a chance of getting a job - retraining peple in courses that will bring some benefit is what is required. You have to be trained or have experience just to be a cleaner or a fruit packer. Without experience - no one wants you. So any work for the dole should be based on a couple of weeks experience in a real work environment subsidized by government on a pro rata basis. Problem is they would rather have you just sitting on the dole continually instead of paying for courses. I am on disability & could go back to work if i had a couple of operations. But no they will just import some more forigners to take any job that I had a chance in getting & leave me to waste my life stuck on a pension - below the poverty line. 4K on operations is better than me sitting on a pension for the rest of my life - which would cost a hell of a lot more.

Jason 16/07/10 07:25 AM Report Abuse

Trevor, Marc, I agree with everything you have both said.

Concerned Citizen 17/07/10 01:46 PM Report Abuse

I agree with these ideas on Work for the Dole and Mutual Obligation. However, it would be good to change the words "work for the Dole" as it has a negative connotation - not everyone is in this position of receiving unemployment benefits by choice.
On the issue of "work choices" it is imperative that all mp's and shadow ministers are in sinc when speaking about this in the lead up to the upcoming election. Today it is reported that Sen. Abetz has suggested it will be tweeked, and Mr Abbott has said in his reply to JGillard speech that there will be NO changes. You must get together as a TEAM and have the same story!

katka 17/07/10 08:10 PM Report Abuse

"Work for the dole" is a must in my opinion. We all have to work and pay taxes to provide the dole for the ones who don't work or can't find a job. There is so much work that can be done for the community. Just like we would spoil our children by forever giving them everything without expecting anything in return, the people who do not have a job and claim the unemployment benefits, should give something in return for the support they receive from all of us.

Jason 17/07/10 09:19 PM Report Abuse

Katka I agree.

There is this question as well:

"Would you like to not just see them working but you not having to pay as much tax to pay for the dole?"

That is what an unemployment levy could deliver.

Oliva 19/07/10 12:49 PM Report Abuse

This "work for the dole"policy is vital if we want people to be better.
Give the dole to the employer who then pays it to the employee as a wage.

As long as the unemployed one is a genuine case then it's not going to cost the GOVT any more BUT it sure is going to improve the socio-economic climate of the community and the wellbeing of the unemployed. Business will surely improve with the extra work force.

How did we ever think it was a good idea to pay people to sit on the couch!!

Sarah 20/07/10 10:19 AM Report Abuse

I think working or training for the dole is a wonderful idea - particularly in the young and able bodied. We need positive role models for children instead of deeply entrenched welfare. We need to empower people to believe that they can attain employment.

I do not find the use of the word dole offensive - the word has been used for decades and does not necessarily reflect poorly on the recipients. I think that the barriers to acquisition of employment should be identified and dealt with - literacy and and mathematical ability can be taught. Skills such as time management, and prioritising can be taught. Unhelpful thinking patterns can be dealt with if people are motivated by psychological intervention. We already have 10 sessions available under current mental health plans that are accessable by General Practitioners. Depression is a significant issue for some of these people, especially when their unemployment has been preceeded by paid employment. I think that a structured approach may be able to successfully make employment attainable for some of the people whom currently remain unemployed.

We could fill some of the skilled employment shortages in the skilled workforce sector by training people after we have overcome some of their barriers to education.

It is unfortunate that some people have not had the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty but I think reform to the econimically disadvantaged sector resulting in improvements in health and acquisition of education would be fruitful for further generations.

Oliva 20/07/10 11:04 AM Report Abuse

Well said Sarah. No able bodied person should be idle. Learning or earning til well into adulthood is vital if we are to produce a competent workforce and a huge pool of entreprenuers and business leaders to take our country forward.
Get off the couch is not only a health issue it's also a wealth issue.

Gigs 21/07/10 05:35 PM Report Abuse

MessageGO ERIC!!

Restore work for the dole ….. Australia is not a free loading country.

For the record - the dictionary meaning of DOLE: a share of money or food or clothing that has been charitably given – CLEARLY appropriate in this case.

We have young, fit able bodies sitting at home producing multiple babies, smoking dope, shooting crack and all because the labor party has allowed this to happen ,in fact they have funded this behaviour!!!

YES – Business owners need incentivised to take on board the unemployed.
Our education system needs to be revised otherwise we wouldn’t be in the situation where we need to ENCOURAGE and PAY Australian Nationals to work !!!

Restore work for the dole – Show the world Australia is not a free loaders resort !!

Bev 26/07/10 01:37 PM Report Abuse

I like the work for the dole idea in principle, but I am very much opposed to it being used by government agencies and NGOs as simply a means of getting labour for nothing. People receiving unemployment benefit are not all "dole bludgers"; most are genuine job seekers, and often people who have problems finding a suitable position in our youth-orientated society. Show a bit of respect and don't just send them out gardening road verges or building fences, doing jobs that council workers and the like see as demeaning. Working for the dole seems, generally speaking, working in the roles that nobody else wants.

In Bunbury, in the South West of Western Australia, there is a nature walk trail along a mangrove area, and when it was built it had a sign on it saying something along the lines of "Constructed as part of the work for the dole scheme". Every time I passed that sign I wanted to jump out of the car and rip it off it's pole. How totally demeaning to people who did an excellent job. Instead of some man (or woman) being able to say to their kids, "Hey, look, isn't that mangrove walk great? I helped built that" and feeling a sense of pride in their achievement, they are reduced to nothing else than a work for the dole person. Terrible.

albertokang 26/07/10 03:54 PM Report Abuse

Yeah i am sick and tired of my hard earned tax dollars going to deadbeats that have no job and sit around all day surfing the net and wasting time and not giving any thing valuable to society.

Olive 27/07/10 09:30 PM Report Abuse

Hi Bev,
Some people suit that sort of work and may even find it rewarding and may even opt for it, particularly if it is packaged in a more creative way. Have you ever watched those guys on backyard blitz ploughing through someone,s junky back yard?
However I do agree that folks should be set to work in the feilds that suit them. If nothing suits them then they can stay on the dole. You can't win em all.
With a lot of these Govt projects, the delivery of them is flawed. A lot more attention to this aspect is overdue. I am sure that any Govt program [even eg the failed insulation program] can be a fantastic success if the people in charge of the implementation were smarter.
The trail project that you mention is something that could be given over to volunteer groups, eg environmentalists. Their organisation can be paid the volunteer "wages" and be given the signage rights.

Bob 28/07/10 06:52 AM Report Abuse

Work for the Dole costs the government billions of dollars every year, it is not a FREE program ... it costs the taxpayers a lot of money.

I worked for a community based organization and we sponsored two projects, we were paid c$25,000 for each, to pay a supervisor for two days work and cover the cost of materials used over a six month period. Most of the people refered to the project never showed up and the majority who did were useless, to achieve the desired project outcomes we had to do the work ourselves! ... Better to spend the money on training people for a job they want then making them walk a billion dollar treadmill.

Jason 30/07/10 06:21 PM Report Abuse

I can only encourage us to consider something more effective than just moving the problem around, dependent uponh the political flavour of the moment, and accept that employers must employ for people to get off the dole, and if employers do not employ taxes are higher to pay for the dole.

We can sort this once and for all.

The unemployment feedback levy is that missing link.

Warren 07/08/10 10:10 PM Report Abuse

Eric

As a person who's been unemployed for more than a year, I'm in two minds about work-for-the-dole.
But I think that business needs to be encouraged and aided to take on people for old-fashioned on-the-job training. I've done several courses of study, presumably to get suitable skills for the workplace, but I've always found employers wanting only skills learnt in the WORKPLACE rather than the classroom. People young and old alike need practical components with any study for it to be effective, or study will just be a waste of time.
Businesses used to train people, but seemingly stopped when people increasingly became more prone to changing jobs - this means that unskilled people, even if they study, have trouble getting a foot in the door. It's a depressing catch-22, needing a job to get experience yet needing experience to get a job.
Businesses have no business, pardon the pun, complaining about skills shortages when they're not willing to train people on the job.

Julia Lansley 08/08/10 02:51 PM Report Abuse

Re Gillard policy - no school no sport - this is a new low in cynicism and an abject failure to understand the complex social economic and cultural problems that lie behind a failure to attend school - like issues to do with transport, funds, food, family alcohol problems and totally inadequate school curricula for Indigenous kids. I am a retired lawyer who has worked directly with Aboriginal families and communities - I know firsthand what they have to deal with - this policy takes away from them the one place and activity where they have a bit of a chance of succeeding and gaining some confidence. Shame. Labor would be better served funding early intervention programs that addresses family dysfunction that produces absenteeism. God knows there's enough research on it!

Carl Janger 09/08/10 02:08 PM Report Abuse

I agree that people on welfare should work for the dole. But, as another reader mentioned, if you HAVE a prior work history, it must be RELEVANT work so that the unemployed person can realistically get back in the workforce. At 49 years of age and with 20 years of prior govt. admin work experience, I resented being sent to sort clothes at Vinnies. This went on for 4 weeks with no prospect of any job which fitted my skill set eventuating so I was back where I started when it was completed. It was also demeaning having to work with people serving community orders for offences. Please look realistically at encouraging employers to hire senior aged people as acroos the specturm of the labour market from job agencies onward, age discrimination is "alive and well". No t everyone can use the 'old school tie network' to instantly get a well paid and relevant job!

Allan 11/08/10 02:35 PM Report Abuse

Funny you do not have a "Nay" button to use to vote against it.

Frank Madden 18/08/10 08:42 AM Report Abuse

Nice one Eric. Arbeit macht frei. it must in your genes.

Phil 18/08/10 05:33 PM Report Abuse

Do you people have any idea how hard finding a job is these days and the instability of staying employed is these days? Your tax payers money thats going to the unemployed I think is a reasonable contribution. Some of these unemployed people are unemployed because their jobs were lost or there contracts didn't extend or the company went into liquidation which of course leads them with having the extra financial burden and pressures of keeping up with the mortgage payments, bills, rego, childcare, maintenance on home and car, health on only a dole payment so have a little sympathy for them! And to add salt to the wound they have to do community service type work which is the same kind of treatment criminals get who are caught cheating the welfare system to be eligible for the dole. So people that are out of a job are now criminals too when it wasn't even their own fault? Disability employment support organisations are negotiating with employers to employ their disabled clients under the supported wage system so that the employer can avoid paying the disabled the full wage even though the disabled client can work as quickly and accurately as the other non disabled employees in that type of job he/she is capable of so that its more money in the employers pocket and more strain on the tax payers in providing the disabled the remaining pension when the tax payers money could have gone to people who do really need it such as the more severely disabled, the aged pensioners and the ones out of a job who are actively trying to get back in the workforce. The unemployed thats already paying off debts, bills, mortages etc don't have a choice so of course they would be trying to get back in the workforce.

Jon 21/08/10 01:24 PM Report Abuse

I disagree that people who are from 50 years onwards should go thru working for the dole. This age beyound 50 and making them do work for the dole is far sinister and looked as criminals as if they should slave themselves at that age just to receive unemployment benefits knowing that employers are reluctant to give these senior people employment.Many employers ask during a job interview of their age.This is evident that employers are reluctant to give employees a chance to enter the work force incase if they sustain injuries due to their age and rather take up upon younger people.

Oliva 22/08/10 02:08 AM Report Abuse

Hopefully under TONY there will be less of the DOLE and more of the WORK. Congratulations Tony Abbott on a stunning victory over the slick, smooth-talking socialist Julia Gillard.
Australia Rules!

Nick Wildeskie 27/08/10 11:07 AM Report Abuse

I know some people called Jim Driscoll and jean Hardening, and they are on the doll. All these people do is sit on facebook and provide labor with support. We are sick and tired of people bludging off the doll and not getting a proper job.

BTW: You are GOD.


It's Tony Time!

Joseph 27/08/10 01:32 PM Report Abuse

Nick Wildeskie,
Your comment tells me that you are sick of working and wish you can sit on facebook.That is the picture I get. Go to work, work hard and pay your taxes accordingly and mind your yourself. If you got a job, be thankful. Dont rubbish yourself over others.Dont blame Labor or others.Blame your employer.Cos if you are happy you would not make such comment.

oliva 30/08/10 12:16 PM Report Abuse

Of course it is not easy to find employment that suits you perfectly. If when you were a student you applied yourself diligently to realise your potential you probably would now be employable, but if you fooled around, did drugs alcohol and cigs and chased the girls then possibly your situation is not so rosy. BUT it's never too late to smarten up.

Louise 10/09/10 11:46 AM Report Abuse

I would argue that a key focus of work-for-the-dole is to ensure that people have less incentive to defraud the system. I don't mind my taxes going to those who need it - supporting people in the time it takes to upgrade their skillset, or supporting those with genuine challenges limiting their employability. However I do mind that a certain percentage of the population bott off of it - their laziness costing the amount of support that can be given to people who legitimately can't find work.

While finding work relevant to people's experience and profession would be difficult - realistically - I don't think this makes the scheme redundant. Given the choice between menial work for the dole, and actually finding relevant work, maybe we'll see less lazy people leaching the system.

Louise 10/09/10 11:51 AM Report Abuse

@ Jon

If an employer ever asks for your age during an interview - refuse. It's against the law for them to even ask the question.

I don't see the problem with those over 50 receiving the dole - the premise for being on the dole is that you want to work but can't find anything. So surely there isn't an issue with then working for what money you are receiving?

Jeff 23/09/10 04:13 PM Report Abuse

Read any economics text, or take a basic course in economics, and you will be taught about the principle of supply and demand. This principle applies to labour as much as any thing else. When unemployment rates drop too low it puts pressure on wages because there is more work than there are people to do it. This message came through recently through the news. Thus, governments do not want to move towards full employment. They like having some people unemployed because it helps to keep wages and inflation under control. Read widely and you will find this is true. A pool of unemployed keeps people desperate enough to do the work at whatever wage is offered. Yet the government then uses the unemployed as a scapegoat for wasteful spending. All governments waste money and unemployment benefits are a drop in the ocean compared to the total of all wastage. For as long as governments support structural unemployment it is not fair to demand people work for the dole. Either find them a proper job or leave them alone. We are meant to be a civilised society that looks after people. Please people, if you are going to complain about people who are unemployed at least cconsider the alternatives. If you make people desperate and there is still no relevant work available what does this do to society? Do we get more crime? It apparently costs $100,000 to keep a prisoner - would some of the tough nuts just commit crime and not care about going to jail? Would we have more people succombing to depression and suicide if policies are applied in a rough-handed manner? I think the problem is much more complex that people think. At the very least scrap the term work for the dole. By all means encourage work and training but lets give the process a name that encourages dignity.

Mervyn Jacobi 14/10/10 09:17 AM Report Abuse

If we could get intelligent people with integrity and concern into parliament, we would have a hard working population and getting fair pay for their work. Unfortunately the parties seem intent on allowing Lawyers to take the position of Treasurer and they have proven that they are about as good as the taliban for destroying the economy, and sending our workers down into the gutter. The Liberal party had a good treasurer in Harold Holt, and - like the Labor party, haven't had a decent one since, nor as Harold as a Prime Minister.

Marc 19/10/10 04:47 PM Report Abuse

Most people on the dole are unqualified for anything - employers employ those that are worthwhile - any person on the dole needs training & education - its as simple as that. No one wants them as you have to be qualified to even be a cleaner nowadays. The problems are that the programs that they provide are so basic & do not really get anyone ready for employment - people need courses & training & if they cant afford it or they do not know someone - they will be on the dole forever. You cant cut the dole or you would have anarchy in the streets - work for the dole is demeaning for everyone concerned - they do not want to be there so they wont be any effort put in - they should be paid extra then you might get a result. There are jobs that I could do ( I am on disability) but the Government wont pay for operations or the courses. So here I sit all day bored out of my brain & I would rather work. Leave them alone or pay them properly

Geraldine 19/10/10 05:37 PM Report Abuse

Marc you are spot on. Furthermore why do we have these online chat so called "Liberal work for the dole", when centrelink is making everybody who is on the dole to work for the dole. So what is the issue to have this suggsted site. Has Centrelink stopped making people on the dole not to work for the dole anymore? Is this why we have this chat programme?
This programme should be dismantle.

Mervyn Jacobi 27/10/10 07:00 AM Report Abuse

The idiot members of the both parties over the years have brought into the system, a tax that has allowed CEO's and others under no other control, to take higher and higher salaries which causes their company to increase the costs of their goods or servives to such an extent that the finances available then, are not sufficient and we get a recession, or like the US, a depression. Get things right, and blame the government or I suppose more correctly, blame the type of people who join the political parties and if we ever get a good group in with integrity and intelligence , we will find an a new lot of people willing to work for fair pay, and fair costs of food, clothing and housing. we had it all in the 1950's to 1970, and it is the poor class of politicans that we don't have it now. Look closely, with the mining export, the reciprocal imports, are the same goods our companies were manufacturing 50 years, our idiot politicians have destroyed our economy.

Mervyn Jacobi 02/11/10 08:39 AM Report Abuse

How about we get our politicans working honestly for the amount of pay they take, Sometimes, they are doing more harm with their decisions than if they left everything alone, and to think they can/do determine their own salary and their own perks, free trips overseas and all. And they talk about errant CEO's who take obscene bonus pay when their company makes a loss through the year. I don't see integrity here, do you.

Oliva 02/11/10 11:33 AM Report Abuse

Agree Mervyn!

Oliva 02/11/10 11:35 AM Report Abuse

But worse than that, the failure of most to put in the standard 40 hours weeks like the rest of the "Full-Time " workforce do, is not setting a good example to their constituents.
"Politician' is a very privileged position and you don't need to stay for anywhere near 40 years to get a good payout.

Mervyn Jacobi 03/11/10 08:35 AM Report Abuse

I consider it laughable but despicable that Wayne Swan rages about the high salaries and other aspects of bank charges, and many other incidents relating to overcharging of goods and services, after all, over the last five years, he is the one who is responsible for this being able to happen, he and the party have determined the conditions which allow the high salaries and the high cost of goods and services, and when the Liberal party or any other party is in power, they are responsible. They cannot blame “Global” for every fault that the party comes up with, they have to be man enough – or women – and have the integrity and decency to accept their own blame, when it applies.

Samantha 03/11/10 09:45 AM Report Abuse

Please, people, acknowledge this forum is for Work for the Dole. Not about politicians. Otherwise, we are losing the plot.
Keep it within work for the dole only OR If you make a comment about CEO's salaries and politicians, add remarks about how this forum "Work for the Dole" affects them.
This isn't a forum to discuss about salraies of CEO or politician.If it is, go to see them and address it to them. But how does this afffect "Work for the Dole" is this own forum chat. So please make remarks about how CEO's and politician brings about work for the dole or the work for the dole is a excuse to keep these CEO's and Politicians wallet fatter.

Oliva 03/11/10 10:02 AM Report Abuse

Unfortunate topics are controlled. Where can we talk about things that bother us?.

sam 03/11/10 10:42 AM Report Abuse

Hi Oliva,
Unfortunate topics are controlled as you said.
Where can you talk about things that bothers you?
Go to the parliament.We have one at Salamanca ground.That is where all the liberal and labor and greens are.
You may find them on white pages.Make a appointment and speak to them your views about Work for the Dole. or other personel matters that bothers you.
Goodluck.

Oliva 03/11/10 06:57 PM Report Abuse

Where is that please Sam?
I don't really want to discuss with only one or two people.
Are there any on-line political forums for OZ politics?

Mervyn Jacobi 14/11/10 02:27 PM Report Abuse

Samantha, What the hell do you think is the cause for able people having to work for the dole. It is the moron politicans over the last 40 years who have decided the tax conditions that has allowed obscene incomes which has caused hich prices and the mining export which has helped destroy our manufacturing industries which were the ones supplying the employment. You are trying to alter the real reason why this discussion iss being aired. Do you want to stop it being necessary for people to work for the dole? The stupid government is bringing this into being because they haven't got either the intelligence or the integrity to do the real thing, stop the obscene incomes of both companies and CEO's, just do you want, just some place you can make some inane remarks and not be pulled to pieces?

w hennessy 03/03/11 07:13 PM Report Abuse

i voted for the national party , not paulene hanson

mandy 06/03/11 10:13 AM Report Abuse

Labour talks about the 'dignity of work' and uses words such as investing in education but all promises lack good management ie measurable outcomes and KPI's and thus we see tragedies and wasteful disregard for the fact that the money they play with comes largely from the wage and salary workers in the form of tax. I worked with the Work for the Dole scheme people - they developed first hand skills in areas that vocational education can not teach (because you need to experience and practice these things in real situations) like getting on with people, turning up for work, wearing deodorant, etc really basic stuff that some of our folk have forgotten or developed from low self esteem etc after years of not being able to be given a chance. In many ways every one of us could relate to this especially if they were put into the same situation. Work for the dole was the rope to help pull people out of the despair.

Mervyn Jacobi 09/03/11 10:09 AM Report Abuse

By all means, let us demand that those making the rules to force some people out of work, and the conditions that force employers to be able to only give employment for two or three days to keep unemployment stats at a low figure, let those people be put on the dole for about ten years before they are allowed into parliament to destroy the living conditioons for anyone else. Politicans cause the reason for the dole, we have had periods without having the dole, but the mobs we have had in parliament over the last sixty or so,years, haven't got either the intelligence or integrity to revert - mainly the top tax and mining exports so our workers can resume the employment which will bring our country away from the recession, into a successful economy, and provide for full employment, remembering that some have been on the unemployment system so long that they and their children are loathe to put work into their system of life.

Mervyn Jacobi 09/03/11 01:11 PM Report Abuse

A large number of people think that unemployment has just come into the system, and as such, it is the work of and must be the results of the Labor party. In fact, about 1986, Malcolm made the comment “We are creating a society of people who will never work”. The cause of the unemployment, has been the decrease of the top tax from the 66.6% that John Curtin, Ben Chifley and Harold Holt had experimented with and found necessary to get our economy out of the 1930's depression. Even the reduction to 60% was enough to cause some unemployment, but, not deterred. Paul Keating had to have his go and dropped the economy down to 50% to a recession, what he had to call “The recession we had to have”. Unfortunately, even after the top tax had been returned, the successive treasurers all had to have a go at reducing it back to their obsessive amount, to try to get it back to that fabulous 30% of the GPT, Unfortunately our politicians don't realise that there are other ways to achieve that, by also having a no tax on incomes about $30,000, but this beyond their ability or their religion.

Mervyn Jacobi 10/03/11 05:27 PM Report Abuse

The Malcolm I mentioned, was Malcolm Fraser. Prime Minister about 1975, He recoginised that there was unemployment, but probably did not know how to avoid it, the same with all the treasurers since 1971, all those great treasurers including Peter Costello, and Wayne Swan. The fanatics of the Liberal party still swoon over Peter, and those of the Labor rave over Wayne, but neither has been worth $1 for their effort. Our country would be much better if we had retained the 66.6% top tax and about $30,000 without tax, but our wonderful treasurers and other members just can't see it, and certainly won't try in case they find it works, and are proved to be fools.

Jon 16/03/11 06:28 PM Report Abuse

Conservative losers! Work for the dole covers up TRUE unemployment figures. What a joke this dumbo idiot is, and labor, they've abandoned their original values. Work for the dole is a joke, working in St.Vincents or Lifeline is not going to get you a job. If labor had any guts they would scrap this worthless idea. The coconut Howard brought this in, in the late 90's , but no they won't do that because it would expose the true unemployment figures, which is round 12%.

Shane. 15/04/11 12:10 AM Report Abuse

The biggest unfair act that ever came out was "Work for the dole"
for example;
There is 40,000 unemployed people registered, they then place 20,000 on the "Work for the dole" scheme, this then removes 20,000 from the unemployed listing, making the figures look very good as it will show a 50% drop in the unemployed, because when a person is on one of those programs they are not considered "Unemployed"
Bad form Mr Abbott, bad form.

Nicki 28/04/11 07:07 PM Report Abuse

It appears to me that neither party is really serious about reengaging the sections of our community that have been left behind. We know for a fact that we are facing a serious skills shortage. In the ACT this is effecting business growth significantly. You ask any tradie what he needs and it is apprentices - then go to our country towns and we have high youth unemployment, suicide and drug use. It seems pretty clear to me that we need to bring these kids to the cities and give them a future. My husband and I made the hard choice to give up our country life once our children were ready to work so they had opportunties for further study or work. Our children are lucky though as we are both skilled and had assets behind us to make that choice for our kids. What about those that don't have that parential support - Why can't an effective aid package be put together that offers kids options with either accomodation or real subsidies whilst on apprentice wages to pay for housing and living cost. If we could create a solution like this it would help business, our economy and also address our social and moral obligations to our youth.

Iris Frost 16/06/11 10:19 PM Report Abuse

WoW. Smart. Now lets talk about Liberal govt scrapping the CDEP program in the 11th hour of howard. Disgracefully backward policy decision.

Shane 17/06/11 12:04 AM Report Abuse

What really needs to be done is a return to having actual fulltime secure employment, not this stupid fulltime casual crap, because while you are in casual work there is so much trouble in gaining finance to get things done or to buy yourself a home or to invest in something,
Bring back proper fulltime secure employment.

Dean Norman McPherson 25/08/11 10:17 AM Report Abuse

I am disgusted by the negativity that the liberal party is creating through its "NO Campaign" approach to Australia.
You have given the Australian Nation a feeling of negativity that permeates throughout every facet of our political and social system.
You are the most negative person i have come into political contact with and i hope your fear mongering will not fool the Population of our country.
I have never voted before, yet you Tony Abbot have inspired me to seek a political party that can see past its loss at the last elections. I will look for a positive party with a sustainable future in mind. I will vote against you and your party as i hope do the rest of the population.

Dean Norman McPherson 25/08/11 10:18 AM Report Abuse

I am disgusted by the negativity that the liberal party is creating through its "NO Campaign" approach to Australia.
You have given the Australian Nation a feeling of negativity that permeates throughout every facet of our political and social system.
You are the most negative person i have come into political contact with and i hope your fear mongering will not fool the Population of our country.
I have never voted before, yet you Tony Abbot have inspired me to seek a political party that can see past its loss at the last elections. I will look for a positive party with a sustainable future in mind. I will vote against you and your party as i hope do the rest of the population.

Shane 25/08/11 11:03 AM Report Abuse

Skill shortage, what is "Skill Shortage?" To me a person that has done the job before and done it well is a skilled person, this is in general a person that is without papers behind his/her name to say they know what they are doing, what I have found is the person with papers has done a lot of reading about the job but few have done it, there is a big difference between "Skilled" and "Qualified"just because a person is qualified does not always mean they can do the job better. Tony Abbott said when sucking up to the WA gov't and mines that he will force the unemployed into the mining field where workers are needed, big problem there is, the mines will not take unqualified workers nor will they take on workers with less than 2 yrs experience in the mine field, the mines want the job done today without the hassle of training, it's a pity they think that way, I along with many thousands of other Australians have qualifications but without the time experience we cannot get into the mines.

Indira 13/11/11 07:45 AM Report Abuse

I support the idea that people who are unemployed and on Centrelink benefits should be made to do some form of work. They should be made to attend courses to give them the skills to enable them to find work. I also feel that "work for the Dole"- the name has to be changed, its very degrading. Employment agencies should be made to provide support to their clients. They should be monitored closely. Employment agencies should discuss with contractors to provide transport for the people that are working for them as majority of them would have lost thier Licence and they are unable to find their way to the project site. Part of my job as a PPO I have noticed a number of people have lost their employment due to loss of licence. Last but not least Government Department should communicate with each other. This is not happening at all. This communication among Dept of Corrective Service, Housing & Centrelink would enable to department to stop the "ripping'' among people. Sometimes a man has a house provided by Dept. of Housing and his partner also has a house provided by Dept of Housing. Another example is some people work cash in hand and also receive Centrelink benefits at the same time.

Shane 17/11/11 10:18 AM Report Abuse

Sorry Indira, I disagree, when one is doing work for the dole they are not allowed to seek employment during that period they are not allowed to attend job interviews, if they do a course and get through it with certificate, that does not in any way shape or form give a better chance at gaining employment, back in 2000 I noticed a lot of jobs in the paperr and job office for plant operators and MR truck drivers, so, out of my own pocket I paid for and gained the papers and tickets for 5 different plant machines and truck lic, as yet I have not been able to gain work with any of them, I then did a course for Cert IV Assessor and workplace trainer, no one would hire me as I did not have any experience, biggest problem is, the employer needs to employ a person in order for that person to get experience.

Indira devi 17/11/11 11:01 AM Report Abuse

Hi Shane, when I wrote my comments, I was actually referring to my clients as I am a Probation and Parole Officer. We work with the job find people as well as Centrelink so that those that have to attend interview, they are excused from work for dole on that particular day or the date is changed. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist in any way If you are still looking for work. In the Western Sydney area unemployment is very great, and it does not help people when they are unemployed. I was the community Service Organiser and a number of my clients obtained employment through the agencies they did work. It does sometimes help. But I will take on board what you have said. My email is idevi@optusnet.com.au.

Indira devi 17/11/11 11:06 AM Report Abuse

Maybe its time the Govt brought in compulsory National Service cause this will help a ot of the younger generation.

Shane 17/11/11 11:27 AM Report Abuse

Indira, yes I agree with Nat service, it will give our young the opportunity to gain good skills and qualifications, also giving the brain and attitude a chance to look at life in a proper manner where they at the end of say 18 months, "I have good skills and I have a better chance at particular work" or "This life is a good life, I will make a carree out of it"
I am personally beyond employment now, burnt out and with many medical problems, I live beyond the Blue Mts and when it comes to business out this way there is no support from gov't as it is in the big smoke or industry that is already making $20 million per year or an alcohol industry, if I was to set up a vineyard I would get support right there and then, anything else they don't want to know, doesn't matter which gov't is in office.