Minister Vanstone urged to take another look at the Independent Report on Breaching

Catholic Welfare Australia urges the Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Vanstone, to implement the major recommendations contained in the Report of the Independent Review of Breaches and Penalties in the Social Security System, released today. 

Mr O'Connor, National Director, said, “This is a balanced report which recognises the good work of Centrelink and other providers in assisting job seekers. At the same time it highlights some serious failings in the operation of the Social Security system. These include: the excessively harsh nature of penalties; the inflexibility of the system in taking personal circumstances into account; and, the counterproductive impact of penalties on client's job search capacity.”

Mr O'Connor said, “Despite initiatives such as a 'third breach alert' and the proposed 'temporary payment suspension' in reducing breach numbers, the overall figures reveal breaching has sky-rocketed over recent years. The total annual number of breaches imposed has increased from 113,000 in 1996 to 386,000 in 2001. That is a 341% increase under the Howard Government.”

“Behind the figures lie the experience of exceptional hardship for already vulnerable citizens. The severity of penalties is excessive and should be reduced,” said Mr O’Connor. “Contrary to claims that the current breach regime reflects 'community expectations', the fact remains that the regime is simply unjust — particularly for those identified in this report as 'especially vulnerable job seekers'."

Supporting the broad thrust of the Report, Mr O'Connor emphasised, “As a network of agencies engaged in the Job Network and providing emergency relief to those whose payments are cancelled, Catholic Welfare Australia is particularly supportive of the Report's recommendations to minimise the risk of penalties for vulnerable job seekers.”

“Because job seekers are most vulnerable to incurring breaches for failing to attend initial interviews with providers, we encourage improvements in client referrals from Centrelink to Job Network and other providers.”

Mr O'Connor concluded, “Catholic Welfare Australia urges the Minister to embrace this report and consider its recommendations as an important addition to reforms announced by the Minister last week. This Report cannot be dismissed at a time when the number of breaches and penalties imposed by Centrelink remains exceptionally high.”

For an interview please call: Jackie Brady, Communications Officer, 0417 220 779