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  Issue No 66 Official Organ of LaborNet 11 August 2000  

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News

ACOSS Slams Job Network


Tony Abbott's bluster about his beloved Jobs Network looked threadbare this week after ACOSS released a report slamming the performance of employment assistance services.

Sixteen months into the life of the programme ACOSS found that Jobs Network provided a 'much weaker outcome than previous labour market programs that were sharply criticised by the Government as ineffective.'

Among the main deficiencies were:

  • Less than 50% of long-term unemployed people received Intensive Assistance - the most substantial level of service offered by the Job Network.
  • Of those job-seekers who did receive Intensive Assistance, only 37% were in employment 3 months later.
ACOSS says very few providers reported that they were offering services which would address underlying barriers to employment such as language classes, counselling or assistance with vocational training.

ACOSS says providers cannot be blamed for the flaws in the basic structure of funding for the network. The main reasons for the poor result were:

  • the $1 billion a year cut to employment assistance in the 1996 Federal Budget, and
  • the lack of any clear requirement for Job Network providers to offer substantial Intensive Assistance to disadvantaged job-seekers.
  • too little employment experience and training being provided - the kind of help previously available through Jobstart and Jobskills.
The Government's "hands off" approach to funding, according to ACOSS, created almost irresistible incentives for providers to focus their efforts on easier-to-place job-seekers and offer too little help to the most disadvantaged.

ACOSS called on the Government to increase funding for Intensive Assistance, to ensure that all long-term unemployed people are guaranteed substantial help to secure employment and to establish an independent statutory body to regulate the employment services market.


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*   Issue 66 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Shifting Sands
Michael Crosby Joint Director of the ACTU Organising Centre talks to Workers Online about the changing nature of union power, 'use it or lose it' coverage and how the ALP will have to deal with a transformed union movement.
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*  Unions: Mission Possible
From Cambodia to Kyrghyzstan, from Malawi to Mozambique, this is one nurse who accepts certain missions where life is on the edge, and she loves it.
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*  Economics: A Progressive Alternative
Andrew Scott outlines a policy approach for an ALP Government that aims to deliver social as well as economic progress.
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*  International: Unions Back International Seafarer Deal
Shipping union representatives from 56 countries have decided to back a pioneering international collective bargaining agreement with ship employers.
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*  Politics: Apolitical Myth
Over the last ten years one story about public interest in politics has found resonance, especially in the US. It suggests that people are no longer interested in political issues. Researchers from the Demos Foundation put this claim under the microscope.
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*  Satire: Elaine Nile retires citing victory in "War on Masturbation"
There were emotional displays and many tributes paid today as Elaine Nile, Christian Democrat MP of 12 years standing, announced her retirement from the Parliament.
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*  Review: Pure Shit
The 1970s Aussie drug classic, Pure Shit - a 70s Australian style Trainspotting - is being dusted off for a one-off showing at the Chauvel.
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News
»  It Will Happen Again Warn Fiji Unions
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»  Telstra in Olympic Twist Over Games Allowance
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»  FAAA Uncovers Sham Employment at Impulse
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»  Saloon Doors Flap as Wealthy Owner Walks
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»  ACOSS Slams Job Network
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»  Scrap HECS Say Nurses
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»  Fahey's Flog Off Fiasco
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»  Things Go Better With a $100 a Day Extra
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»  Shopping Centre Silent Over Greedy Grab
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»  Selley's Workers Stick to Union
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»  Taxi Incentive Needed to Avert Olympic Shortage
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»  Sneaky Chubb Forced to Pay Redundancy
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»  Seaforth Picket Marks a Year With Picnic
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»  Road Rage! Air Rage! WORK RAGE!
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Columns
»  The Soapbox
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»  Sport
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Tool Shed
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Letters to the editor
»  Proud To Support s.11
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