ACOSS calls on government to focus on youth employment

“This is a shocking revelation that government policy makers are well aware that many more young people who can’t get paid work will be forced into begging for charity when they are cut off income support,” said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.

“It makes no sense for the government to pursue a policy that will cause this level of hardship, and does little to give young people a sense of hope and self-worth through getting a foothold into a real job.

“Frontline agencies working with young people looking for work have made it clear that depriving young people of payments and employment services will make it tougher for them to get ahead, especially those with no family support or from in families living on low incomes.

Dr Goldie explained that the focus should be on opening up job opportunities for our young people, in collaboration with business leaders, investors, local communities and social services to give young people hope, and help them get a foot in the door.

“It is disappointing that the Budget has cut funding to important career counselling and vocational programs such as Youth Connections, which has assisted over 74,000 young people since 2010. 93 per cent of participants in this program were still engaged in study or paid work six months after completing the program in 2012, with most no longer receiving Centrelink payments,” Dr Goldie continued.

“Strengthening support and investing in programs will save us more in the long run because more young people will be able to overcome the barriers they face to entering the workplace and would reduce the need for emergency support. Investing today in their futures will save us more in the longer term.

“We urge the government to rethink its current policy of withdrawing income support and work with business leaders, local communities and frontline agencies on solutions that work,” Dr Goldie said.