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Hundreds of Aussies Job Seekers Reported for Compliance, Behaviour
Only weeks after opening its Employer Reporting Hotline, Services Australia has said that it is investigating hundreds of unemployed individuals after they submitted inappropriate job applications and wasted employers time by skipping interviews or refusing to work.
Employment Minister Stuart Roberts said in a media release on Friday that it was disappointing for more than 300 people to have been dobbed through the hotline by an estimated 110 employers. A further 240 are under investigation or are receiving penalties for their actions.
“At the end of the day, Australians expect everyone who can work to get into work, and some of the stories coming out of the Employer Reporting Line are frankly unacceptable,” Robert said.
Of 250 people dobbed into the hotline who are still under investigation, 59 reviews have been completed, with compliance action taken against just eight.
Emily Bullock, a Glebe estate resident and Hands Off Glebe activist said the NSW government had a fight on its hands and called for an expansion of public housing.
Other speakers included Newtown MP Jenny Leong MP, campaigner Judy Mundey, Louisa Biddington from Eveleigh estate, Evan Van Zijl, from the Australian Unemployed Workers Union and John Engler from Shelter NSW, who received applause as he reflected on the government’s back down on affordable housing at Cowper Street.
On March 22, the government announced a change to the housing development on Cowper Street and Wentworth Park Road, Glebe, saying it would now deliver 100% new social housing. Its original plan was for 70% private housing and 30% social housing. This project will now deliver a total of 75 new social homes, which is 56 more than originally proposed.