Work for the dole scheme targets five Queensland communities

FIVE Queensland communities are on the hit list - the first places where you’ll have to work for your unemployment benefits. Find out where

LAUREN WILSON and Michael Madigan

2 min read

May 27, 2014 - 10:00PM

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IF YOU live in Logan and you’re on the dole, it’s a new deal.

And the news is equally bad for the unemployed in Cairns, Bundaberg, outer north Brisbane and the Fraser Coast – the first targets of a work-for-the-dole scheme.

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The Federal Government will today unveil the initial 18 locations across the country – five of which are in Queensland – where people under 30 will be forced to start working for the dole.

Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker said the locations were areas of high unemployment, had a high number of job seekers, and could “significantly benefit” from this tough approach to getting people back into the workforce.

The areas under fire in Queensland have unemployment rates from 9.2 per cent on the Fraser Coast, to 6 per cent in outer north Brisbane.

TITLE: Work-for-the-dole target areas revealed

“All Australians who are capable of working should be working – ideally for a wage but, if not, for the dole,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

From July 1, unemployed in these target areas will have to work about 15 hours a week for six months, if they are aged 18 to 30 and have been receiving Youth Allowance or Newstart for 12 months or more.

Their placements will be found with local councils, federal and state government agencies and non-profit organisations.

Welfare recipients risk losing 10 per cent of their fortnightly income support payments for every day they fail to show up.

Liam Campbell, 21, is likely to feel the sting of the changes. After seven years without a job, the Caboolture resident might soon find less time for his favoured diversion – catching up with friends at a Morayfield skate park.

Mr Campbell says most days he gets moving by about 9am, hops on to the internet to pursue his latest venture – an online retail course – then doorknocks businesses around Morayfield and Caboolture to hand out his resume.

After that he might take refuge at the skate park with some friends, and perhaps a pack of cigarettes, for company.

“I do try and get a job but no one will hire me, no matter what I do,’’ he said.

“The problem is if you don’t have the experience, you don’t get the work.”

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WORK FOR THE DOLE HIT LIST

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