Dole breach: It's the policy, stupid

Date: 14 August 2001

Centrelink workers are saying the Howard Government's mean and trick welfare breaching policy must be looked at, not just Centrelink's administration.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) is calling for a rigorous examination of all government policy on cutting welfare recipients' benefits.

The strong call follows the announcement of an enquiry to be set up within Centrelink, in response to a damning ACOSS report about dramatic increases in the number of clients "breached".

CPSU spokesperson Mark Gepp says an internal enquiry is likely to be limited by the Government, to avoid any embarrassing findings.

"Our members tell us they have no flexibility in applying these policies. If the problems identified in the ACOSS report are to be genuinely addressed, questions must be asked about policy issues such as:
are there financial incentives encouraging Job Network providers to recommend breaches;
are the government's guidelines harsh and inflexible, especially in their inter-department agreements;
are clients having to self-identify as needing special consideration."
Mr Gepp said that an independent enquiry, such as the one proposed by ACOSS was more likely to get to the real issues.

"We are concerned that the government is simply looking to blame Centrelink's administration, when the problem is far more fundamental. You simply can't make uncaring policies work, and the ACOSS report throws the focus sharply onto these policies, " Mr Gepp said.

For comment:Mark Gepp 0418 316 858

For further information

Contact:	Mark Gepp
Union:	CPSU - National Office
Phone:	0418 316 858

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