Additional Comment by Senator the Hon Nick Bolkus and Senator Jim McKiernan
Whilst this hastily convened Inquiry has, in effect, been short in gestation
and reporting, it has, nonetheless, proved to be a very useful and valuable
short term review of a very contentious government policy.
The review of the operation of special benefit provisions in regard to
the waiting periods imposed on newly arrived residents, found that there
were some 780 applications for special benefit in the twelve month period
since the policy's implementation. Of these applications, 350 were successful,
representing 45% of the total.
It would appear, from the figures given to the Committee, that all or
almost all of those who were unsuccessful in their applications, applied
for internal review of their rejection.
The Committee was told that there were some 210 applications at the next
stage of appeal – the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. 43 applications
for review were made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
It must be clear, from the abovementioned statistics, that the savings
the Government had expected to make by the introduction of this measure,
are just not going to be achieved. This theory was unfortunately unable
to be tested, due to the short lead time given to the Inquiry, a compressed
hearing and an early reporting date.
It is possible, despite the above constraints, to determine that the
policy and its implementation must be kept under review. The Labor members
of the Committee suggest that this specific provision – special benefits
– of the two year waiting period, be subject to a major independent
review after the provisions have been in operation for two full financial
years.
Labor Members of the Committee note the comments of the Leader of the
Opposition, Hon Kim Beazley MP, at the Federation of Ethnic Communities
Council conference in Parramatta on 28 March 1998. When speaking on the
financial impact of the two year waiting period, Mr Beazley had this to
say;
“In circumstances of tight fiscal restraint, we will need
to re-think our priorities to get the greatest possible benefit per Budgetary
dollar laid out. In that context, for example, we need to address current
government policies which have denied recently arrived migrants any access
to employment services to help them find work. Many migrants face a critical
period just after they arrive in Australia, where if they are not assisted
to find work quickly, they and their families run the risk of becoming
alienated and impoverished in their new home. It will be an absolute priority
of the next Labor government to prevent this type of thing from happening”.
If newly arrived residents are in employment, they will not need to fall
back upon the safety net of special benefit provisions. In this context,
Labor Members of the Committee suggest that the independent review also
address specific barriers to employment and the associated economic and
social costs caused by the two year waiting period.
Labor Members of the Committee will be pursuing the advice provided to
the Committee by the Department of Employment Education and Training at
2.26 of the report. We are concerned that the advice is not definitive,
nor does it provide any clarity regarding the provision of free job matching
assistance to newly arrived residents.
We are also of the view that the quality of information that is provided
to migrants before they depart for Australia, could be clearer and more
precise in terms of the provision and availability of job opportunities
and benefits in Australia. We particularly note the comment of Ms Paul
from the Department of Social Security (L & C Hansard 10);
“Ms Paul – Yes, I would agree with you that it is very
important to get the information to prospective migrants. We are concerned
that they base their decision making on as much information as they can
get about what they face when they come here. That is absolutely right.
Some of the work we have done with Immigration includes text about this
measure to go into the general brochures and so on that are held at overseas
posts for prospective migrants, and other information products as well.
Recently, because the AAT has made comment on the information, we have
updated that information. We are very concerned in that way”.
Labor Members of the Committee believe that both DIEA and DSS could and
should do more to monitor the type and content of material that the various
States and Territories use in order to recruit migrants to their States
and Territories. Of particular concern is the information that pertains
to the availability of welfare services, the cost of living in Australia
and opportunities for employment.
Senator the Hon Nick Bolkus Senator Jim McKiernan