Job Network `not The Answer'
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday January 22, 2004
THE Greenacres Association has expressed fears over a trial in which disabled people will go to the Job Network rather than specialist disability employment agencies for help in finding work.
The Federal Government last week announced the $800,000 pilot under which disability support pension (DSP) recipients who want to work will be helped by the Job Network.
Greenacres CEO Neil Preston said the pilot program would duplicate services provided by disability employment agencies such as his.
It could also be harder for people with disabilities to remain in work, he said, as the network did not provide ongoing support. Mr Preston suspected the Government wanted to cut costs by getting people off the DSP.
Recipients lose payments once they work more than 30 hours or earn above $633 a week. About 680,000 people receive the DSP - almost double the number 10 years ago - costing $7 billion a year.
A Family and Community Services spokeswoman denied it was an attempt to cut costs. Also, the pilot would target slightly different groups.
``The pilot will target people who don't have significant ongoing support needs," she said.
``Both programs have their roles ... they will complement each other."
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury
