RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1
4.32 That
the Commonwealth Government develop a national jobs strategy to:
- promote
employment opportunities, particularly permanent full-time and permanent
part-time jobs;
- set
long-term targets for increased labour force participation;
- develop
better targeted employment programs and job creation strategies;
- ensure a
substantial investment is made in education, training and skill development;
and
- bring a
particular focus on improving assistance to young people making the transition
from school to work, training or further education to prevent life-long
disadvantage.
Recommendation 2
4.33 That
the Commonwealth conduct a review into the dynamics of the labour force,
especially in relation to skill shortages.
Recommendation 3
4.51 That
the Commonwealth Government:
- introduce a
training guarantee for long term unemployed or at risk jobseekers under the Job
Network;
- introduce
quality controls in the form of case management provided to jobseekers;
- provide
automatic entitlement to case management for long-term unemployed people and
unemployed youth;
- provide caps
on the number of unemployed persons a case manager can assist within a job
service environment to reduce the incentive to churn; and
- consider the
feasibility of introducing a 'training and hiring' model (referred to in
paragraph 4.65).
Recommendation 4
4.52
That the Commonwealth Government introduce a range of measures, in
addition to subsidised employment services, to address structural problems in
the labour market.
Recommendation 5
4.66 That
a transitional jobs scheme for the very long term unemployed be introduced,
whereby people who have been unemployed for over two years would be provided
with six months employment at a training wage in the not-for-profit and public
sectors.
Recommendation 6
4.90 That
the Australian Industrial Relations Commission establish a new minimum wage
benchmark based on a wage level that enables a single full-time worker to
achieve an adequate standard of living relative to contemporary community
standards.
Recommendation 7
4.104 That
the Commonwealth Government conduct an inquiry into low-paid employment and
that this inquiry examine:
- the
nature and extent of low-paid employment in Australia;
- the
introduction of a workable floor in relation to the minimum hours of work
offered by employers;
- the
problem of casualisation and employment security;
- the
feasibility of attaching standards in relation to wages and conditions to
Government funding of services; and
- the
wages and conditions pertaining to contract labour.
Recommendation 8
4.122 That
the Workplace Relations Act 1996 be amended to provide definitions of
'full-time' and 'permanent part-time' work.
Recommendation 9
4.123 That
the Commonwealth legislate to guarantee the right to standard entitlements,
such as annual leave and sick leave, for casual workers converting to permanent
part-time work.
Recommendation 10
4.133 That
the Commonwealth legislate to guarantee the right to standard entitlements,
such as annual leave and sick leave, for labour hire workers.
Recommendation 11
5.30 That
the Commonwealth Government:
- consider
increasing the base rates of allowances to the level of pension payments and
that these payments be indexed to 25 per cent of MTAWE; and
- consider
the feasibility of introducing this reform by 2005.
Recommendation 12
5.41 That
the Commonwealth and the States review their approach to concessions by:
- establishing
common eligibility criteria for concessions by removing anomalies in the level
and scope of concessions between pensioners and allowees;
- that
priority for access to concessions be directed to low income pensioners and
allowees; and
- that
information be widely disseminated on the nature and extent of concessions
available.
Recommendation 13
5.50 That
the Commonwealth Government introduce a means-tested participation allowance,
to broaden and replace existing payments, to meet the additional costs, up to a
prescribed level, associated with jobsearch, work experience or further
education and training activities of jobseekers.
Recommendation 14
5.70 That
the breaching and penalty system be amended in line with the recommendations of
the Pearce Review; namely that:
- all
penalties should be fully recoverable if the jobseeker takes reasonable steps
to comply with the relevant obligation;
- the
duration of penalties should not exceed eight weeks; and
- the
rate of reduction in allowance should not exceed 25 per cent.
Recommendation 15
5.84 That
the Commonwealth Government review social security income tests:
- to reduce
the high effective marginal tax rates for many unemployed people with casual or
part time work;
- reduce the
high effective marginal tax rates for families caused by the combined effect of
income tests for Family Tax Benefit A, Child Care Benefit and Youth Allowance,
in cases where a family has children attracting more than one payment.
Recommendation 16
6.22 That
the Commonwealth Government provide a commitment to the continued operation of
the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program.
Recommendation 17
6.43 That
base funding arrangements for public housing be increased under the
Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement.
Recommendation 18
6.44 That
the Commonwealth and the States:
- increase
funding for the maintenance of current housing stock;
- increase
funding for new public housing stock; and
- develop
strategies to increase investment from the private sector into public housing.
Recommendation 19
6.65 That,
in supporting the current review being undertaken by the working group into
residential tenancy databases, the Commonwealth Government, in co-operation
with the States, develop national guidelines as a matter of priority in
relation to the operation of tenancy databases.
Recommendation 20
6.70 That
the Commonwealth Government develop a national housing strategy in consultation
with key stakeholders including State Governments, community housing providers,
the construction industry and the finance sector; and that this national
strategy involve:
- the
development of specific strategies to achieve growth in the supply of
affordable housing through both public and private investment, particularly for
low income groups;
- a review of
the effectiveness of Commonwealth Rent Assistance in providing affordability
and access to the private rental market; and
- a review of
the relative funding priorities in relation to social housing and Commonwealth
Rent Assistance.
Recommendation 21
7.30 That
the Commonwealth work with State and Territory education departments to
identify those students who are at most risk of poor literacy and numeracy
attainment and provide additional funding to enhance literacy and numeracy
programs so as to meet the national literacy and numeracy goals.
Recommendation 22
7.31 That
the National Report on Schooling in Australia provide the results of literacy
and numeracy benchmarking by socioeconomic group.
Recommendation 23
7.49 That
the Task Force on Child Development, Health and Wellbeing develop as a matter
of urgency a national program for early childhood education.
Recommendation 24
7.50 That
the Commonwealth, in conjunction with the States and Territories, develop
initiatives to improve participation in early childhood education.
Recommendation 25
7.51 That
the Commonwealth, in partnership with the States and Territories, develop and
contribute to the funding of early childhood education.
Recommendation 26
7.52 That
the Task Force on Child Development, Health and Wellbeing develop and implement
special literacy programs for parents wanting to develop the skills to assist
their children with early childhood learning.
Recommendation 27
7.70 That
the Commonwealth provide funding to establish school breakfast programs in
disadvantaged areas.
Recommendation 28
7.102 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding for schools based on the
socioeconomic profile of the school community to improve services provided to
disadvantaged students.
Recommendation 29
7.103 That
the Commonwealth work with the State and Territory Governments to develop
effective policies and identify successful programs that improve retention
rates of young people in danger of leaving school early and re-engage early
school leavers to return to education at school or TAFE; and to provide
additional support for those programs.
Recommendation 30
7.104 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding for the TAFE sector aimed at
providing support for those students wishing to complete their school education
in TAFE institutions.
Recommendation 31
8.50 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding for preventive health and related
measures, and that this funding be directed particularly at socioeconomically
disadvantaged areas.
Recommendation 32
8.68 That
a jointly funded Commonwealth-State national dental health scheme be
established to improve access to dental services for people on low incomes, and
that it be modelled on the former Commonwealth Dental Health Program.
Recommendation 33
9.8 That
public and private utilities have in place hardship provisions that provide for
the reduction or waiver of debt to ensure that customers genuinely unable to
pay for the provision of utilities retain access to these essential services.
Recommendation 34
9.21 That
all States and Territories require credit providers to undertake a satisfactory
assessment process prior to an increase in the credit limit available to a
client to determine that person's creditworthiness.
Recommendation 35
9.40 That
the Consumer Credit Code be amended:
- to impose
additional requirements for high cost loans provided by fringe credit
providers, relating to:
- disclosure
of the comparison rate (the total cost of the loan, including interest and all
fees and charges to a single percentage rate) on the loan offer;
- disclosure
of a statutory warning on the loan offer that the particular loan is an expensive
form of credit; and
- disclosure
of information regarding the cancellation of direct debit authorities and
avenues for complaints on the loan offer.
- to clarify
that all credit providers must disclose an annual percentage rate (APR).
- to
prohibit the taking of security over essential household goods.
- to prevent
fringe credit providers from circumventing the application of the Code by
setting up the credit transaction as a pawnbroking or broker arrangement.
Recommendation 36
9.44 That
a Ministerial Council on Pawnbroking be established to review the adequacy of
existing regulation of the industry.
Recommendation 37
9.48 That
State and Territory Governments fund more community education programs in
relation to credit and credit-related matters.
Recommendation 38
9.49 That
credit providers be required to provide clear, 'plain English' information on
credit products to potential clients.
Recommendation 39
9.52 That
Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments increase funding to financial
counselling services.
Recommendation 40
9.74 That
the Commonwealth Government, in co-operation with State Governments through the
Ministerial Council on Gambling, continue the development of a national
approach to problem gambling, and that this approach examine:
- the
adequacy of current regulatory mechanisms;
- the
need for further harm minimisation and prevention measures; and
- the adequacy
of support services for problem gamblers and their families.
Recommendation 41
10.31 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding to increase the number of child
care places available, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
Recommendation 42
10.98 That
the Child Support Agency review its debt collection procedures to ensure that
debt repayment is made on a regular and timely basis so as to not disadvantage
custodial parents and their children.
Recommendation 43
11.94 That
the Commonwealth, in cooperation with the States and Territories, develop a
comprehensive system of community-based early childhood and parenting support
for all families.
Recommendation 44
11.95 That
the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments cooperate to ensure that
additional intensive services are funded for disadvantaged families
experiencing multiple and complex problems which impact on the care of
children. Further, that the provision of such services in Indigenous
communities be given a high priority.
Recommendation 45
11.96 That
the Commonwealth conduct an audit of existing rules relating to parents
receiving income support payments to ensure these do not place children at risk
of hardship.
Recommendation 46
11.97 That
the Commonwealth develop and implement a community education campaign for new
parents aimed at improving the nutrition of children.
Recommendation 47
12.57 That
the Commonwealth provide funding for the expansion of access to the New
Apprenticeships scheme, particularly in rural and regional areas.
Recommendation 48
12.58 That
the Commonwealth work with industry and unions to maximise the take up of
apprenticeships in areas where there are recognised skills shortages and to
ensure that training is relevant to enterprises and apprentices themselves.
Recommendation 49
12.59 That
the Commonwealth undertake a review of New Apprenticeships to evaluate the
effectiveness of policies; recruitment and selection; progression through the
scheme; and employment outcomes after training.
Recommendation 50
12.82 That
the Commonwealth initiate an employment assistance program, based on the United
Kingdom Gateway program, to provide youth with intensive assistance and an
agency providing comprehensive support for youth pathways.
Recommendation 51
12.86 That
the Commonwealth and State Governments implement strategies to improve access
to employment opportunities for young unemployed people, in particular those
young people living in rural and remote areas.
Recommendation 52
12.88 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding to community organisations to
enable them to provide education, training and housing assistance packages to
young homeless people.
Recommendation 53
12.90 That
the Commonwealth progressively lower the age of independence test for Youth
Allowance from 25 to 21 years.
Recommendation 54
12.91 That
the Commonwealth review its income support programs for young people to fully
recognise changes in the Australian labour market.
Recommendation 55
12.93 That
Centrelink expand forms of service delivery which are responsive to the needs
of young people, particularly young homeless people.
Recommendation 56
12.108 That
the parental income test for Youth Allowance be increased and maintained as a
percentage of Average Weekly Earnings.
Recommendation 57
12.119 That
Rent Assistance be extended to those receiving Austudy payments.
Recommendation 58
13.13 That
the Commonwealth, in conjunction with State Governments, provide a range of
incentives to stimulate the growth of industries and employment in Indigenous
communities.
Recommendation 59
13.14 That
the Commonwealth and State Governments, in co-operation with the private
sector, establish partnerships with Indigenous communities to promote
employment opportunities.
Recommendation 60
13.21 That
Community Development Employment Projects participants have access to the full
range of assistance available under the Australians Working Together package
in order to increase social and economic participation of Indigenous people.
Recommendation 61
13.27 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding for Indigenous-specific housing
programs.
Recommendation 62
13.50 That
the Commonwealth work with the States and Territories to develop strategies to
improve access of Indigenous children to early childhood education facilities.
Recommendation 63
13.51 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funds specifically for improving Indigenous
literacy and numeracy.
Recommendation 64
13.52 That
the Commonwealth investigate the impact of the changes to ABSTUDY on the
participation of Indigenous students and implement changes to improve ABSTUDY
assistance to Indigenous students.
Recommendation 65
13.57 That
the Commonwealth and the States continue to implement programs and strategies
to improve access to health care services for Indigenous people.
Recommendation 66
13.66 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding to improve the affordability of
child care for Indigenous children.
Recommendation 67
13.78 That
the Commonwealth provide additional funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Legal Services.
Recommendation 68
13.79 That
the States provide additional assistance for programs that address recidivism
and post-prison release support services for Indigenous people.
Recommendation 69
14.42 That
the Commonwealth and State Governments maintain and expand services in such
areas as health, education, housing and transport to rural and regional areas.
Recommendation 70
14.43 That
the Commonwealth and State Governments set national minimum standards for
access to essential community services, such as health, education and welfare
services in rural and regional areas.
Recommendation 71
14.44 That
State Governments maintain and expand regional development strategies in rural
and regional areas.
Recommendation 72
14.45 That
the Commonwealth Government develop a national public infrastructure
development program targeted to regional areas focusing on such areas as
transport, hospitals and schools.
Recommendation 73
14.46 That
State Governments encourage the expansion of labour-intensive private sector
services in regional areas by improving education and training and other public
infrastructure and/or providing tax concessions or other subsidies to encourage
employers to relocate to regional areas.
Recommendation 74
14.47 That
State Governments support local employment and social development initiatives
in rural and regional areas.
Recommendation 75
15.27 That
the Commonwealth increase support to educational and other programs which
enable older Australians to remain active members of the workforce.
Recommendation 76
15.34 That
the Commonwealth Government review the special needs of ageing carers in
relation to retirement income and income support.
Recommendation 77
15.39 That
the Commonwealth, in conjunction with the State and Territory Governments,
ensure that there are adequate guidelines in place to protect older Australians
who use home equity conversion products.
Recommendation 78
15.50 That
the Commonwealth Government provide additional funding for programs which
provide support services for the aged homeless including additional funding to
ensure greater access to aged care accommodation.
Recommendation 79
15.93 That
the Commonwealth enable Temporary Protection Visa holders to access English
language training and employment assistance in addition to existing services.
Recommendation 80
15.95 That
the Commonwealth Government investigate additional avenues to enable migrants
and refugees to have qualifications recognised and to upgrade skills to ensure
that migrants and refugees are able to find appropriate employment as soon as
possible following arrival in Australia.
Recommendation 81
16.25 That
the Commonwealth introduce a disability allowance to meet the additional costs
associated with disability.
Recommendation 82
16.36 That
the Commonwealth re-commit to employ people with disabilities in the public
sector in proportions that reflect their representation in the wider community.
Recommendation 83
16.37 That
the Commonwealth Government and the States continue to implement strategies to
promote greater employment of people with disabilities in the private sector.
Recommendation 84
16.52 That
the Commonwealth and the States continue to implement programs and strategies
to improve access to educational opportunities for people with disabilities,
including the recommendations of the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and
Education References Committee report on the Education of Students with
Disabilities.
Recommendation 85
16.77 That
the Commonwealth Government review:
- the level of
income support provided to carers, especially the rate of Carer Allowance;
- the income
support and other support needs of carers with special needs, such as young
carers and ageing carers (also the subject of a separate recommendation); and
- the
level of respite care provided for carers.
Recommendation 86
16.78 That
where young carers have primary care responsibilities in their families,
adequate financial support measures be available, including removing current
restrictions that discourage young people from combining paid work or study
with their caring responsibilities.
Recommendation 87
16.79 That,
as a matter of priority, the Commonwealth relax the rules for adult carers who
live adjacent or near to the person they are caring for to enable them to
receive Carer Allowance.
Recommendation 88
17.40 That
the Commonwealth increase the current level of emergency relief funds allocated
to agencies.
Recommendation 89
17.56 That
the Commonwealth government streamline the funding arrangements for all its
community funding programs.
Recommendation 90
17.57 That
the Commonwealth conduct an audit of its community funding programs to
determine:
- whether
they are located in the areas of greatest need;
- the
degree to which complementary services are co-located;
- that there
is an identifiable continuum of services from capacity building through to
tertiary and crisis support.
Recommendation 91
17.58 That
COAG conduct an audit similar to that in the previous recommendation to
determine the adequacy of Commonwealth, State and local government funded
community services in local communities.
Recommendation 92
17.93 That
Centrelink Community Service Centres be resourced to establish local management
advisory committees with membership drawn from its customer base, emergency
relief providers, local schools, the police, employers and community
representatives to sensitise service delivery to local needs.
Recommendation 93
17.94 That
Centrelink CSCs be resourced to act as community service hubs for Commonwealth
government-funded programs to ensure there is a greater connection between
income support and other human service delivery.
Recommendation 94
18.46 That
a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy be developed at the national level and
that this involve:
- an initial
summit of Commonwealth, State and local governments, the welfare sector,
unions, the business sector, community groups, income support customers and
relevant experts in the field to be held to highlight the importance of the
issue and agree on a timetable for action;
- a commitment
to achieve a whole of government approach. That is, coordinated action across
policy areas such as employment, health, education, income support, community
services, housing and other relevant areas to reduce poverty and poverty of
opportunity;
- not
longer than a 12-month period of consultation.
Recommendation 95
18.47 That
a statutory authority or unit reporting directly to the Prime Minister be
established with responsibility for developing, implementing and monitoring a
national anti-poverty strategy and that this entity:
- establish
benchmarks and targets to measure progress against a series of anti-poverty
objectives;
- report
regularly to the Parliament on progress against the strategy; and
- undertake or
commission research into a range of poverty-reduction measures.
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