Dee Margetts
Don't abandon the unemployed
The government must not back away from its belated recognition that unemployment is a major problem which requires some fundamental changes to the economic system.
The Labor government's approach has been to try to manage the issue rather than deal with it. They prompted the development of major infrastructure projects as an adjunct to what is basically an anti-inflationary economic policy. They called this a policy for employment. In fact, the government already plans to cut employment spending.
After a few months of modest economic growth coupled with marginal reductions in unemployment figures, the government now pretends the problem is close to being solved. This is yet another indication of their very narrow and short-term approach to one of Australia's major economic and social problems.
The current figures for employment mask the real situation, as a much higher proportion of the work force is now part-time, contract or casual employment. This means lower wages and the loss of minimum awards and conditions. We now have a new working poor.
The Greens would support a jobs levy, but it is not our preferred option. Alternative revenue sources that are both more equitable in their collection and more directed in their allocation are needed.
There is lots of work to do and lots of people who want to do it. We must find a way to stop wasting our human resources.
The social costs of long-term unemployment and under-employment are enormous right now. Australia's poorest citizens are forced to pay those costs. These social costs translate to real budget expenses as growing inequality translates to social discord.
The tax base has been deliberately eroded. This makes any properly funded program to create meaningful long-term employment almost impossible without extra revenue. The rich must be told to hand back some of the handouts. In the longer term, the tax system needs a total overhaul.
I hope the government will address the need for more fundamental changes to the economic system during the first consultative budget process. This will be a Greens priority in budget discussions. A failure to acknowledge this need will consign a large number of Australians to the fringes of society.
[Dee Margetts is a Greens (WA) senator.]