Record Unemployment Shifts Focus To People Missing Out

Catholic Social Services Australia Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, said with unemployment now at 4.4 per cent, there's an opportunity for the Government to direct greater attention to the needs of people who face serious barriers to employment.

Mr Quinlan said today's figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics are good news for those people who are now in jobs and good news for the economy. But he said many people who remain unemployed in such buoyant economic times need intensive services to help them participate more fully in society - not just employment. 

"As Australia has reached virtual full employment, the Government's response to the current pool of unemployed people must be based on vision and compassion, not compliance and activity testing," Mr Quinlan said.

"Targeted investment in skills, training, work experience programs and support will help many people, especially young people, sole parents and people with disabilities, address some of the difficulties and find meaningful ways of participating in the life of the community.

"Many people would welcome the opportunity to join the workforce or increase their hours of work, sooner rather than later, but need help through existing programs like the  Personal Support Programme, Job Placement Employment and Training and Disability Open Employment Service.

"On Budget Night the Government announced the welcome addition of 2,000 Personal Support Programme places to be released over four years. However, last year there were an estimated 15,000 people waiting for a place on the Personal Support Programme.  Recent changes to the Welfare to Work program will have increased this waiting list. Some people have been waiting for over 12 months.  Around 75 per cent have a mental illness and many are homeless.

"While the Rapid Connect initiative, to start on 1 July this year, will fast forward some new people into Personal Support Programme places, it will do little to address the waiting list.

"More Personal Support Program places are urgently needed to engage these vulnerable people. The significant savings the government has achieved in unemployment benefits should now be put back directly into programs like the Personal Support Programme.

"The cycle of extreme disadvantage in many communities can be broken.  With a strong economy and a buoyant labour market, Australia is well placed to care for those who are currently missing out, some of whom will never work," Mr Quinlan said.

Catholic Social Services Australia provides services to over a million Australians each year.

10 May 2007

CONTACT                        Judith Tokley   02 6285 1366 / 0408 824 306