Peter Dutton calls for work for the dole to be reinstated

Amid a broader discussion about the future of JobSeeker payments, the Opposition Leader has called for the return of a controversial scheme – despite it still existing.

Peter Dutton has called for a reinstatement of the contentious “work for the dole” program – despite it still existing.

With next week’s budget set to confirm the fortnightly JobSeeker payment will only be increased for 227,000 recipients aged over 55, the Opposition Leader said it was time for a broader conversation about welfare recipients.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers would not be drawn on the JobSeeker “speculation” ahead of next Tuesday’s budget but said being selective with JobSeeker increases would mean the most vulnerable Australians more likely to struggle to find employment would have additional support.

Mr Dutton said the decision to raise the rate only for some recipients highlighted the broader need for the budget to “juggle” a persistently too-high inflation rate.

More broadly, he said he was concerned there were people on the JobSeeker program who weren’t “legitimately looking for work” and there was a “great argument” for bringing back the work for the dole program.

Peter Dutton says bringing back a program like work for the Dole would be beneficial. Picture NCA NewsWire/ Dean Martin

“I think there is a great argument for bringing back the program and others that say to people – you’re unemployed, you’re able to work, and there’s work out there, so why aren’t you in a job?” he told 2GB.

“And the benefit that you reap from a program like work for the dole means that it provides an incentive for people to move off the dole into work, which is a better life for them.”

Compulsory under the Howard era, work for the dole still exists as a form of mutual obligation requirements.

It only becomes necessary for a job seeker to enter a work for the dole program, or other mutual obligation stream, if they remain unemployed for 12 months.

Mr Dutton said taxpayers were “rightly” angry that there were Australians able to work who were refusing to work.

“People aren’t legitimately looking for work and people aren’t applying for jobs or they’re just doing it online – and you see this feedback from employers all the time and they’re frustrated as well,” he said.

“People are finding it very difficult to find these workers in cafes, in agricultural operations, in tourism, etc. And it’s frustrating if you’ve got Australians who have an ability to work who are refusing to work. I think Australians who are taxpayers get angry about that and rightly so.”

Jobseeker recipients over 55 are expected to get a payment boost in next week’s budget with younger Aussies to miss out. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Defending the government’s decision to limit a JobSeeker raise to only older Australians – despite a review panel recommending a “substantial” increase to the whole of “seriously inadequate” payment – Dr Chalmers said there were valid reasons.

“The Jobseeker payment already makes a distinction between workers closer to the aged pension – older workers. It already pays a different rate at the moment for people over 60, and that’s in recognition that it is harder to find a new job at the end of your working life,”
he told ABC Radio.

“Second point is related. All of the expert advice says that the group most likely to be long-term unemployed is people over 55, and that group is dominated by women. That is the most vulnerable part of the unemployed population.

“The third one is that no government can satisfy all of the calls for more spending in the budget, even from people and from groups whose views we welcome and respect. It’s not possible to satisfy all of the calls … particularly at a time when we’ve got persistently high inflation and structural deficits.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended the ‘speculated’ decision. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

He said the age of 55 was the recommendation of the Women’s Economic Equality taskforce and the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Dr Chalmers said the government had included a comprehensive cost of living package in the budget, including measures that are “not determined by age”.

“The overwhelming priority for the government is to provide this substantial cost of living relief in a way that prioritises the most vulnerable,” he said.

There is likely to be reconsideration of a broader payment raise in subsequent budgets.

Originally published as Peter Dutton calls for work for the dole to be reinstated