Do Centrelink Activity Breach Penalties coerce outcomes from unemployed welfare recipients in line with Mutual Obligation policy?
(2002) Do Centrelink Activity Breach Penalties coerce outcomes from unemployed welfare recipients in line with Mutual Obligation policy? . In Hanna, Barbara E. and Woodley, Emma J and Buys, Laurie, Eds. Proceedings Social Change in the 21st Century 2002 Conference, pages pp. 1-14, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane..
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Abstract
Some 386,946 breach penalties were applied to welfare recipients by Centrelink during the 2000-2001 year, representing a trebling of breach penalties issued over the past few years. Over its three terms, the Howard Coalition Government has sought to introduce practices under Mutual Obligation policy that increases surveillance, obligations and breach penalties which are brought to bear on unemployed people who are in receipt of income support payments. More recently, Government discussion papers have been released indicating the intent that other welfare recipients, including Disability Support Pensioners and Sole Parents, are to be included under these onerous Mutual Obligation processes. With a view to foreshadowing some likely future outcomes for these latter groups, this paper compares the Howard Government’s stated expectations for its Mutual Obligation policies and practices with the lived experience of a survey sample of 56 unemployed welfare beneficiaries. The 56 individuals had been breached by Centrelink in the Brisbane area, and voluntarily completed a questionnaire form provided by this researcher, on the footpath outside Centrelink offices at Mitchelton, Chermside and Nundah.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Keywords: | Centrelink; Breach penalties; Mutual Obligation; Unemployment; Welfare; Welfare benefits; social policy; |
| Subjects: | 360000 Policy and Political Science > 360200 Policy and Administration > 360201 Public Policy 360000 Policy and Political Science 360000 Policy and Political Science > 360200 Policy and Administration |
| ID Code: | 227 |
| Deposited By: | Schooneveldt, Simon Peter |
| Deposited On: | 21 June 2004 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2002 Simon P. Schooneveldt |