The Australian: Mike Steketee: Built-in contradictions [December 01, 2005]

Mike Steketee from the Australian highlights the contradictions built into the IR and Welfare Reform.

Moreover, the closer wage levels come to government benefits, the smaller will be the incentive to take jobs. Although this should not be a serious barrier for people to move into full-time work, because their incomes will rise substantially, it could be a real factor for the many who can only pick up casual or part-time jobs.

Even the welfare-to-work legislation has contradictory incentives. In future, people with disabilities assessed as being able to work as few as 15 hours a week will no longer qualify for disability support pensions. Instead they will go on to Newstart if they do not get a job, and face a cut in income of $46 a week or more, depending on their circumstances. Single parents whose youngest child turns eight will face a similar situation, with cuts in their income of at least $29 a week. These are the sticks designed to make people look seriously for jobs.

Of course, who are the people who will be seeking part time work because they are UNABLE to work full-time. Who is it who will be forced into low paid jobs? It is people with disabilities. Instead of workplace justice for people with disabilities, we will continue to face limited choices, ongoing abuse and discrimination, and now Howard's big stick.