New figures shows dole queue at 15-year high

NEW figures show unemployment queues are stretched to their limit with an extra 44,000 people receiving benefits in the past year.

Dole queues in Australia have reached a 15-year high.

SOCIAL Services Minister Kevin Andrews won't say whether the May budget will help reduce the dole queue, now at a 15-year high.

Data to be released on Wednesday will show an extra 44,000 people received unemployment benefits in the past year.

“We've now got more than 840,000 people either receiving the Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance,” Mr Andrews told ABC radio. He attributed the increase to a softening in the jobs market as well as a decision by Labor to shift tens of thousands of single parents from parenting payments to Newstart.

In a bid to stem a growing jobless trend, the government will offer relocation allowances and incentives for employers to hire mature job seekers.

When asked whether the May budget would turn around unemployment numbers, Mr Andrews said: “The job this budget has to do is turn around the massive debt and deficits we've inherited.”

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