Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

The government knows that most job seekers do the right thing by the taxpayer, but the problem of nonattendance at appointments is not fair on the taxpayer and nor is it fair on the provider who has to spend time chasing up the job seeker to reschedule appointments when they should be focused on getting the job seeker a job.

Last week, the government introduced legislation which will make the requirements for job seekers fairer for the taxpayer, fairer for the provider and, indeed, better for the job seeker. The legislation provides a much stronger incentive for job seekers to either attend their scheduled appointment in the first place or to pick up the phone ahead of time and explain why they are unable to attend. This is what happens in workplaces around the country each and every day. It is only fair, it is reasonable and it is a similar standard to that applied to those in work. When the legislation arrives in the Senate I will look forward to the support of honourable senators. (Time expired)