Scott Morrison warns young job-seekers welfare not an 'Ikea catalogue', introduces four-week dole wait
By political reporter Susan McDonald
Posted about an hour ago
PHOTO: Social Services Minister Scott Morrison says welfare is not like an "Ikea catalogue". (AAP: Lukas Coch - file image)
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MAP: Australia
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has warned young jobless people they cannot treat welfare like an "Ikea catalogue" and will be forced to wait one month to get the dole if the Government gets its way.
Mr Morrison introduced legislation into the House of Representatives this morning that would make people under 25 wait four weeks before accessing unemployment benefits.
The move was a backdown from the Coalition's policy in last year's budget to introduce a six-month wait period, which did not have Senate support.
"We want to send a very clear message that we want you in work when you are job-ready, that you don't have the option of walking from the school gate to the front door of the Centrelink office," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
Waiting period exemptions
Mr Morrison announced a number of exemptions for the one-month waiting period, including young people with disabilities or parents who are primary carers.
- former carers of people with a disability
- people recently released from prison or psychiatric facilities
- young people who are unable to live at home
- young people with undiagnosed mental illness
- young refugees and migrants
- people with a disability
- pregnant women in the final six weeks of pregnancy
- parents who are the primary carer
Mr Morrison said the policy was targeted at "job-ready" young people and brandished a welfare information pamphlet as he spoke.
"This document is not an Ikea catalogue to go shopping for benefits," he said.
"That's not what it is. What this is is a schedule of benefits and payments that are there to help people in need and who need that help from the Australian taxpayer."
Mr Morrison rejected a suggestion the bill was doomed after the Senate recently passed a motion calling on the Government to abandon the plan.
Mr Morrison said the Australian people supported the plan.
"I know that crossbenchers will be considering carefully the broader views of the Australian people when it comes to this issue, and we feel very strongly about these measures," he said.
Reversing last year's unpopular measure has cost Government budget savings of $1.8 billion.
The budget also included more than $300 million to tackle youth unemployment, including a work experience allowance program and incentive payments for employers.
From other news sites:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-28/morrison-issues-warning-to-young-jobless/6504408
- Herald Sun: Stop waiting for your dream job: Morrison
- Daily Mail: Morrison urges backing for dole changes
- News.com.au: Immovable Senate forces Morrison to dump six month wait for unemployment benefits
- The Weekly Times: Welfare not a career choice: Morrison
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