Govt to soften Centrelink regulations

Govt to soften Centrelink regulations : "The Government's move comes in response to complaints from several welfare groups that the number of people who have had their benefits cut has doubled since mid-way through 2007."

There are 3 things which could be changed to make life easier for those on Centrelink payments. Firstly, if they have found some work, there needs to be a downsizing and negotiation of the 10 jobs a fortnight the person has to apply for. They can't necessarily do the work they are doing and then apply for jobs which might bring up job interviews when they are trying to make themselves look like a good worker. Secondly, they could find a far better way to get those booklets delivered and assessed if the person does have some work and can't get to a Centrelink office. I know they let someone else take it in...but maybe they are working too or maybe there is no one else. It puts a lot of pressure on someone who has to say " Can I have time off on Monday to deliver my Centrelink book?" There is no viable alternative for someone who has to manage this alone. Thirdly, Centrelink should not assume everyone is a plonker. There are people who have degrees and lots of training who need to be better encouraged to find suitable positions. Centrelink really needs to get their job networks to make connections with places which might be willing to consider graduates, qualified workers and those who have some good skills. If we have a skills shortage it's because people coming onto the market are treated like twits and then companies won't take you on unless you have experience! Centrelink needs a better filtering system so that they can get people on their feet quickly and then channel high maintenance people into the right places to get the support and skills they need to launch themselves onto the job market in some way shape or form.