Cher Jimenez
Centrelink’s new compliance system that sets out a guideline for job seekers has drawn flak from Morwell’s St Vincent de Paul Society, which considers the measure more of a “punitive” action than a support mechanism for the unemployed.
The new Targeted Job Seeker Compliance Framework, which started on July 1, introduced new technology where people looking for work and receiving Centrelink payments can track their status online or through the Job Seeker App.
Under the new system, which was introduced by the now Department of Jobs and Small Business, people accessing job service providers who miss interviews may earn demerits and temporarily lose their Centrelink payments if they keep missing appointments.
St Vincent de Paul Society Morwell social justice officer Kevin Hutchinson said they see the new system as more of a “punitive” action against those who can’t find work and disregarded the fact that many areas like the Valley are experiencing high unemployment rates.
“We’re concerned about a one-size-fits-all policy across the nation that’s not taken into account what jobs are actually available in an area,” he told The Express.
Mr Hutchinson said the new system was more detrimental to young people who struggled with mental health issues and other situations like substance and alcohol abuse, homelessness, and family violence.
“We’re struggling to see the reward in this system. It seems to us that it’s aimed at punishing those that are the most vulnerable and what’s the point of this for areas where the jobs, aren’t there?” he said.
Mr Hutchinson is concerned that instead of encouraging job seekers to turn up for their appointments, that more people would be found in breach of the new system unless the reasons why they stayed unemployed were addressed.
“We don’t understand why the government’s response to unemployment, particularly long term, is to blame the person that doesn’t have a job,” he said.
A spokesman for the Department of Jobs and Small Business said the new system was “fairer” compared to the old one as job seekers would not be “unnecessarily” penalised for missing requirements.
“[It’s] more effective because it will provide a real deterrent to those who are capable of meeting their requirements but repeatedly fail to do so for no good reason,” the spokesman said.
“While finding work can be difficult at times, job seekers have a much higher chance of finding work if they are actively looking and building their skills.”
