Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I welcome the news that phase 1 of Work for the Dole will be implemented in my electorate of Dobell. Unfortunately, Dobell has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Australia. As the member for Dobell, I have been lobbying Assistant Minister for Employment, Luke Hartsuyker, for many months now to see this program implemented in my electorate.

For a long time, even prior to entering into politics, I have been a strong advocate for opportunities for young people to access employment. Under this program 18- to 30-year-olds who have been unemployed for over 12 months and receiving Newstart or youth allowance (other) are required to participate in Work for the Dole commencing on 1 July.

In Dobell, which is ranked ninth in New South Wales when it comes to recipients of youth allowance (other), these new arrangements will see up to 2,000 young people in Dobell benefit from the skills they will obtain under this program. I firmly believe that young people who are capable of working should be working and contributing to the community. Work for the Dole provides a means for young people to be engaged in the community, to be active, to develop a valuable job readiness and life skills and, importantly, help avoid a lifetime of welfare dependency. Young people in Dobell, through participation in this program, will gain the skills and experience required to move from welfare to work. The community of Dobell will benefit from this program in seeing our young, long-term unemployed obtain skills and contribute to community projects. I congratulate the government on this initiative and for including Dobell in this program.