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Don’t cut payments to young people “The government has announced that it will pay subsidies of up to $10,000 he Australian Council over two years to employers of Social Service who hire mature workers is calling on the Federal over the age of 50. This Government to drop its initiative should be extended damaging plan to deny to other groups locked out of young unemployed people the labour market, including access to income support young people. for six months after analysis “With the rate of from the Department of unemployment among It makes no sense for the government to pursue a Social Services that it will 15- to 24-year-olds more policy that will cause this level of hardship and does lead to a 30% increase in little to give young people a sense of hope and self than double the overall rate demand for emergency worth through getting a foothold into a real job: (12.5%), and the Fair Work ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie. Image: SMH assistance. Commission noting that “This is a shocking youth and long term unemployment earnings inequality is on the revelation that government policy is to invest in overcoming skills rise as it handed down its minimum makers are well aware that many and capability related barriers to wage decision yesterday, it’s time more young people who can’t work. Instead of penalising young for a new approach. get paid work will be forced into people the government should “The main reason for high youth begging for charity when they are invest in programs we know to be unemployment is that young people cut off income support. It makes effective like Youth Connections were worst affected by the global no sense for the government to which has been discontinued. They financial crisis. The overall number pursue a policy that will cause this should also increase the availability of jobs for 16 to 19-year-olds was level of hardship and does little to of places in cost-effective wage still below 2007 levels five years give young people a sense of hope subsidy programs like Wage later. Employers want experience and self worth through getting Connect. but it is difficult for young people a foothold into a real job,” said “It’s disappointing that the to gain experience if they can’t get ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie Budget has cut funding to entry-level positions. (pictured). important career counselling and “Strengthening support and “Frontline agencies working with vocational programs such as Youth investing in programs will save young people looking for work Connections, which has assisted us more in the long run because have made clear that depriving over 74,000 young people since more young people will be able to young people of payments and 2010. Ninety-three per cent of overcome the barriers they face to employment services will make participants in this program were entering the workplace and would it tougher for them to get ahead, still engaged in study or paid reduce the need for emergency especially those with no family work six months after completing support. Investing today in their support or from in families living the program in 2012 with most futures will save us more in the on low incomes. no longer receiving Centrelink longer term. “The focus should be on opening payments. “We urge the government up job opportunities for our young “Similarly, 47% of people out of to rethink its current policy of people, in collaboration with work for over two years assisted withdrawing income support and business leaders, investors, local by the Wage Connect wage subsidy work with business leaders, local communities and social services to scheme retained their positions after communities and frontline agencies give young people hope, and help the program ended, which is more on solutions that work,” Dr Goldie them get a foot in the door. than double the results achieved said. “A more effective way to address under the work for the dole scheme.
supplied by ACOSS 7 June 2014
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