from Minister for Workforce Participation Office

Last financial year, the Howard Government's Job Network made over 645,000 job placements of people on welfare, Minister for Workforce Participation Dr Sharman Stone said today.

"Under the Howard Government, long-term unemployment has been slashed by almost two thirds, and is 79.8 per cent lower than the peak of 329,800 in May 1993, under Labor," Minister Stone said.

"Our job placement and support programmes are so successful they're now considered world's best practice ¡V the United Kingdom and France are now hot on our heels.

"Our employment services model is evolving and with the next contract coming up in 2009, I called for feedback from the providers and welfare advocates. The Brotherhood of St Laurence was not among the 100 or more who made a submission."

Minister Stone questioned the validity of the Brotherhood of St Laurence's study: Investing in people: intermediate labour markets as pathways to employment.

"Their study only draws on the experience of sixteen people, which is hardly a statistically significant sample."

"The Howard Government continues to support the unemployed on welfare through tailored services such as the Personal Support Programme for people with drug and alcohol issues and the Disability Employment Network which helps people with disability become more independent through work. This apparently is what the Brotherhood is also advocating."

The combination of the Job Network and the Work for the Dole programmes give job seekers real work experience. Training credits earned through Work for the Dole can be used for training and education. There is also wage assistance available to employers who give a long term unemployed person a job. Again, these seem to be the programmes advocated by the Brotherhood. 

"It seems the timing before an election, has been the key motivating force, rather than an understanding of what is currently available and its success in helping people into work," Minister Stone said.

"Whilst the Brotherhood is focussed on misleading claims, the Howard Government is getting on with the job of helping to move people from welfare to work under a world renowned system."