Minister refuses to provide clarity for JobSeekers; fails to stop job agency lies
After 4 August penalties will still not apply for most activities
The employment minister refuses to do her job – unlike welfare recipients she is immune to punishment for refusing work.
The AUWU has actively and repeatedly sought additional information from both Senator Cash’s office and the department of employment about ‘mutual’ obligations changes to no avail. Their hostility to us as representatives of vulnerable welfare recipients shows they do not have the best interests of JobSeekers at heart.
We condemn the minister’s disdain for the 1.6 million people on JobSeeker and related payments.
The AUWU remains extremely concerned that employment service providers are continuing their practice of lying to JobSeekers about requirements during the next phase of ‘mutual’ obligations reintroduction. We discussed this problem with the minister’s office and were assured that job agencies would be told to cease this behaviour.
AUWU members continue to report job agency lies, harassment and bullying.
Changes to ‘mutual’ obligations from 4 August
AUWU advice says changes announced by the Prime Minister on 21 July do not mean that JobSeekers are required to participate in all ‘mutual’ obligations – most activities remain effectively voluntary.
What you don’t need to do
After 4 August you still don't need to agree to a job plan, attend appointments or do job search, training or other activities unless you want to.
The department website says: “Job seekers will not be subject to payment suspensions or penalties for not meeting these requirements.”
If you choose to attend appointments with your job agency: “This can be done online or over the phone or in exceptional circumstances in person,” and if you do training or other activities it can be “either online or in person where safe to do so.”
You can find the information from the department here: https://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/job-seekers
What you do need to do
After 4 August you do need to accept suitable work if there's no valid reason to refuse, or you may have you payment cancelled.
You can find information about the definition of ‘suitable work’ here: https://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/11/1
You are also allowed to decline suitable work if you have a valid reason, for example, a health concern. We believe that risk of COVID infection and/or enforced lockdown is a valid reason however this has not yet been confirmed by the minister’s office.
AUWU support for JobSeekers
Contact us on 1800 AUWU 4U (1800 289 848) if you need support responding to intimidation or misinformation from your job agency.
You can find more information about ‘mutual’ obligations in our previous statement: https://auwu.substack.com/p/auwu-confirms-no-penalties-for-not
We will continue to seek to work with Senator Cash’s office and the department of employment to lobby against the reintroduction of obligations and to ensure that clear information about changes is communicated in a timely fashion.
Media contact: 0403 429 414 / jay@auwu.org.au
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