Australia, March 21 / PRNewswire-Asianet /-once a radical reform of Australia`s welfare system is successful, Australians may cease to receive unemployment benefits for up to a month if they fail to meet their job-hunting obligations.
Mr. Tan`s comprehensive welfare bill proposed by government was formally passed in the Senate on Wednesday, according to Yahoo News. Under the new compliance framework, Australians may lose benefits if they fail to find jobs or fail to meet requirements such as learning and training.
The deduction system is one of these series of welfare reform measures. The Liberal Party Alan Tudge said the system could detect people in need in a timely manner and would have a negative impact on welfare scammers. Drug abuse or dependence on alcohol is no longer a reasonable excuse if people fail to fulfil their obligations, and the waiting time for unemployment benefits will be extended.
From 2020, the Jobseeker allowance will replace the Newstart allowance and other seven types of benefits. In addition, government supports the one-nation party`s amendment to retain bereavement benefits, so low-income people who have lost their spouses are still entitled to benefits. The reform will also remove the "apply for intent" clause, which protects people who are entitled to benefits but cannot submit their applications for personal reasons.
It was also removed from the bill because of controversy over drug testing for welfare recipients. Green MP Rachel Siewert said the new reforms would affect people with disabilities, relatives, drug addicts, the elderly and the unemployed, even if the drug tests were cancelled. "the bill further weakens the social safety net, making benefits more difficult to receive, becoming `patriarchal leadership` and reducing the amount of relief."
Cassandra Goldie, chief executive of (ACSS), Australia`s social services council, said the measures could make the lives of vulnerable groups worse. "more people will be homeless as a result. Just 12 months after the new law comes into effect, more than 80,000 people will be cut back on benefits. "
