21 December 2022, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here.
Anomaly in dates of suspension means individuals whose reporting date falls after 2 January treated different to others
Welfare activists have criticised an anomaly that will see some jobseekers forced to complete mutual obligationsParticipation requirements welfare recipients must fulfil each month to continue... throughout December and early January while others get a month’s reprieve.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations said in a notice to jobseekers this week that mutual obligations would be suspended for participants from Monday 19 December 2022 until Monday 2 January 2023.
But the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) said the way the department was applying the pause meant some jobseekers would still need to fulfil their obligations for the month of December while others would not.
… if they [an unemployed person] are due to report on the 3rd of January, they get no break, and all their obligations are due that day, directly after the holiday and new year period.
– Australian Unemployed Wokers’ Union statement
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