2016-05-05
Changing arrangements for work for the dole measures but keeping in place tougher requirements for Aboriginal communities shows discrimination is entrenched in the budget, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“We welcome the Government’s admission that work for the dole is ineffective but it is concerning that the Government has failed to wind back measures in remote Aboriginal communities.
“This furthers an already unfair situation where Aboriginal people in communities are required to do 25 hours while people in the broader community are only required to do 15 hours.
“Having one change for the broader community but leaving unchanged harsh policies in Aboriginal communities smacks of discrimination that must be addressed.
“I urge the Minister for Employment and Minister for Indigenous Affairs to explain why these different decisions were made.
“Across the board we must move away from paternalistic top-down approaches to helping people into employment.”