Bludgers on welfare get a Centrelink free pass
Ahead of the May Budget, the Turnbull government is working on ways to crack down on dole bludgers who are missing at least five job appointments or activities - but not being fined.
NSW
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BLUDGERS on welfare who skip job interviews or refuse to turn up for work are being let off the hook by Centrelink — which is only bothering to fine a tiny percentage of shirkers.
As Australia’s welfare bill skyrockets towards an eye-watering record $191.8 billion in 2019-20, the federal government has revealed just how many people are escaping their Work for the Dole obligations without being properly penalised.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal only 2213 of the 32,625, welfare recipients who incurred the penalties — less than 7 per cent — were actually served with financial sanctions in the 12 months to September 2016.
Government figures also show that in the six months to September last year, 11 per cent of job seekers — equivalent to 100,000 people — missed five or more job appointments or activities, which includes Work for the Dole, with no valid reason.
It is understood the majority of those who consistently refuse to meet their obligations are men under 30.
Yet, they are avoiding fines.
Ahead of the May Budget, the Turnbull government is closely scrutinising rapidly rising welfare expenditure and looking at how to reduce it.
Human Services Minister Alan Tudge said Work for the Dole was “critical to keep people engaged and contributing”.
“Long-term welfare dependency is a poison on capable people,” Mr Tudge said.
“But we must make sure that expectations are high — if people don’t turn up to Work for the Dole there should be consequences.”
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash told The Daily Telegraph: “Australians rightly expect that the safety net which is afforded to citizens is not abused by those who simply don’t want to work.”
Ms Cash said Labor had repeatedly opposed measures to fix loopholes.
“We will not be deterred in continuing to identify other ways in which we can maintain an adequate safety net while also pursuing recalcitrant offenders who want their lifestyle choice to be paid for by Australian taxpayers,” Ms Cash said.
The Work for the Dole program withered under Labor. In 2013, there were 35,000 participants in it, which grew to 105,000 people by 2015.
Penalties, including up to eight weeks without payments, are meant to be served for serious issues like refusing to take suitable work or failing to attend job interviews.
But a waiver system introduced by the previous Labor government has seen thousands of people who are refusing to turn up to appointments or take part in the Work for the Dole program get their payments docked.
The figures come a day after Ms Cash said the government was “absolutely committed” to the $650 million program after suggestions its future was being under review.
It was examined by the Expenditure Review Committee but the majority of Liberal MPs and ministers would be heavily against scrapping the scheme.
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