Rishworth Vows Upgraded Jobseeker Program to Address Variable Provider Quality

Rishworth defends jobseeker work program

Catie McLeod

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has expressed concern about the inconsistent quality of providers assisting welfare recipients, while defending the continued involvement of private companies in the program.

Rishworth appeared on the ABC’s 7.30 program last night, after announcing at the National Press Club in Canberra that Labor intends to revise the unemployment system for jobseekers.

While specific details were not disclosed yesterday, the proposed system will be divided into three streams based on a jobseeker’s skill level and employability.

When asked by 7.30 whether she accepted that some shortcomings in the current system stem from for‑profit providers who overlook the most challenging cases, Rishworth replied:

double quotation markI would say that I am concerned that there is varying quality in the system. So I am focused on how we lift quality.

Stream one, really is about the public service delivery. Stream two is more like the services we understand today.

Stream three, I imagine, will be different types of providers – they will have deep connection with community and be able to do this specialised, intensive work.

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