Job Network Stays Mum
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 17, 2006
THE operator of the privatised Job Network scheme has refused to identify employment agencies that are under investigation for misusing taxpayer-funded grants for fear of jeopardising possible court cases. The secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Peter Boxall, also refused to tell a Senate estimates committee yesterday how much money was involved in total, but under pressure he said $13,000 had been repaid so far. Dr Boxall said "less than five" of the 107 Job Network providers were under investigation. The Salvation Army has admitted it had to pay back $9 million because of overpayments in its employment agency. It has been reported the Uniting Church's jobs service has been asked to refund $2.4 million.
© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald
