topic Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes in Community Spirit

Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:13:12 GMT

http://unemploymentunion.com.au/2014/09/11/leaked-new-attack-unemployed/#more-712

http://peakjobs.me/2014/08/29/australia-transfering-powers-from-centrelink-to-employment-service-providers/

http://welfarewrites.org/2014/08/28/transfer-of-decision-making-from-centrelink-to-employment-services-providers/

These articles appear to show that from today the Job Service Providers may be able to make the decision as to whether their clients continue to receive Centrelink payments. Previously, the decision-makers were Centrelink staff - and public servants - now, it seems they will be employees of private companies.

Your thoughts?

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

the_great_she_elephant — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:23:23 GMT

How are these private job service providers funded? Do they get paid a certain amount for each person on their books or for each person they provide with a job? If they are paid by the number of jobs provided then yes, they might want to cut out the 'dead wood' but their funding is based simply on the number on their books, then the cynic in me says where's the incentiveeither to find anyone a job or to to stop them receiving unemployment benefit?

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:46:46 GMT

Good point about the incentives, TGSE ...

I'm no expert on their funding - I presume that they are funded on the amount of job seekers that they see.

What concerns me is that they are given this power.

Currently, it seems that they run a parallel process to Centrelink, without necessarily adding any value. I wonder how much the costs of running Centrelink AND JSPs are? We all know that in many areas there ARE NO JOBS.

However, against your idea about incentives ... if a job seeker is cut off from benefits ... this is potentially going to save the government money.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

cherry*135 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:54:25 GMT

The Job Networks get funding for the clients (unemployed on Govt benefits) when they successfully find them a job.

The agencies get more funding for finding work for a person just out of prison or someone who has been unemployed for a very long time. The job may only be for 3 months... doesn't have to be full time, permanent, they still get the funding. A person who has only been out of work for 3 months, who would have much more chance of getting a job, they don't pay much attention too, because they don't get the higher funding for them.

The whole system is flawed.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

cherry*135 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:00:09 GMT

If job seekers keep their appts with the Agency and don't turn down jobs they are offered they won't get penalties?

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:00:13 GMT

Heck yes, the system is flawed, AM*3. And, it seems to be getting more so. The number of available jobs is falling, and where it is rising (?) it is in only a few areas where you need particular qualifications (like mining and aged care).

I think what we need is greater emphasis on training FOR jobs, and less on punishment for the fact that few jobs are available.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:05:01 GMT

AM*3, the new system only started today and there has been no coverage that I could find in the mainstream media, so it's difficult to tell what might happen.

Maybe if we consider the case of someone who is not very employable (like someone with disability), who might also have barriers to turning up to appointments???

I don't know ... I don't have all the answers ... in fact, I don't think I have any answers ... 🙂

But, I do think it's important that people know about these changes and think about them.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

cherry*135 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:19:30 GMT

Yes, I can't find anything as to the source of these changes.. any Govt announcements, changes in policy, date of introduction etc that has been published in the past.

Not sure if the service providers are able to issue penalies now but it would still be up to Centrelink to enforce or waive the no payment period.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:22:35 GMT

There are a few links up there, AM*3 ... but the issue seems to be that Centrelink would have no part to play (as it does now) in the decision to enforce a no payment period. It would just be made by the JSP.

I haven't seen any information about appeal rights ...

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

cherry*135 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:26:03 GMT

Those links don't refer to a specific amendment or anything though.

They also rave on a bit, I would rather read just the change to exisiting policy.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

cherry*135 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:32:52 GMT

More background on this in the link. Job service providers don't seem that happy about it either.

Tough new job interview rules for unemployed

August, 2014

UNEMPLOYED people who miss an appointment with their job provider without an “extreme” excuse will be docked welfare payments until they attend a new appointment, under a dramatic strengthening of dole requirements.

The Weekend Australian has obtained a letter sent from the Employment Department’s deputy secretary Jennifer Taylor to job providers which outlines how the tough new rules will work, including the possibility that those who miss an appointment may not have their payments backpaid when they start attending appointments again.

In an unprecedented move that is alarming job agencies, the new rules strip Centrelink of the power to make decisions and give job agencies unprecedented powers.

Under the changes, the allowance for “reasonable excuses” for not attending appointments will be changed to “extreme” reasons.

Welfare groups and job agencies will urge Labor, the Greens and crossbenchers to disallow the legislative instrument that is already before parliament to toughen the “reasonable excuse” provisions.

................Jobs Australia chief executive David Thompson said the changes were unprecedented.

“It represents a significant shift of responsibility from government to contracted providers and is a matter of very grave concern to mission and values centred non-profit services from a moral point of view,” Mr Thompson said.

“On a practical level it will make it hard to establish effective helping relationships with the unemployed because job agencies will become the enforcer. This is quite unprecedented.”

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/tough-new-job-interview-rules-for-unemployed/story-fn59niix-1227026239488

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 05:04:32 GMT

Goodonya AM*3 🙂

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

the_great_she_elephant — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 06:19:57 GMT

there is one thing that never changes - regardless of which side of politics is running the country - the harder it is to get a job, the harder they make it to get unemployment benefits.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

katydidthat — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 06:26:13 GMT

It's crazy, isn't it, TGSE? I'm all for people getting a job ... if they are available and suitable ...

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

lightningdance — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 07:31:53 GMT

Ask the multi millionaire Therese Rein Rudd , thats how she makes her money.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

boris1gary — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 07:45:52 GMT

@the_great_she_elephant wrote:
there is one thing that never changes - regardless of which side of politics is running the country - the harder it is to get a job, the harder they make it to get unemployment benefits.

except that never has the ALP tried to kick people under 30 off benefits for 6 months of every year. What was working for employers and the unemployed as far as jobs advertised in one place and owned by us was privatised by howard, millions of dollars from the public purse were/are siphoned off into private pockets and what we now have is ineffective privately owned JSP that does little to nothing for those out of work.

Re: Heads Up on Centrelink/JSP Changes

the_great_she_elephant — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 07:54:23 GMT

Ms Rein Rudd sold her multintional recrutitment agency, Ingeus to an American corporation 6 months ago (though I understand she remains as managing director.

The company initially won contracts under the Hawke and Howard governments to help disabled people return to work. It now has more than 2000 companies in 10 countries around the world with significant interests in the UK.

She sold the Australian branch of Ingeus in 2007 when her husband was elected to the prime ministership. She said at the time it would be inappropriate for her to retain ownership of a business which bids for government contracts.

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/therese-rein-sells-ingeus-to-us-company-providence-service-corporation/story-fn5tas5k-1226870942996