Redefining ‘Mutual Obligation’: Is there Mutual Agreement?

The McClure Report provides solutions targeted at those who have not been able to benefit from the economic growth achieved by some sections of the Australian community. One solution advanced by McClure relies on broadening the application of mutual obligation as the major strategy to attack entrenched social exclusion.

Executive Secretary of Centacare Australia Toby O’Connor says: "Centacare Australia welcomes the Report’s attempt to redefine earlier punitive interpretations of the concept of ‘mutual obligation’. There appears to be a shift away from reliance of punitive measures towards a sharing of responsibility by all members in the social coalition: government, individuals, business, charities and local communities, to provide opportunities to those without adequate paid employment.

"It is now up to all these partners, but especially the government, to agree on such a redefinition. Will the government allocate the necessary funds to introduce greater personalised delivery of a suite of services to people who are unemployed?

"Is the government prepared to reduce the financial penalties that apply to persons moving from income support to work given its earlier decision not to lower their effective marginal tax rates as part of the government’s tax reform?" he asked.

One criticism of the Report is its over reliance on work activities as the only valuable contribution people can make to their community. In this instance we see social policy playing second fiddle to economic policy. Supporting healthy families means that we should not be obsessed about moving mothers into the workforce at the first opportunity. Who benefits from making people move through a series of unpaid and voluntary jobs when there is not enough paid employment on offer?

"Centacare Australia also raises a question about the effectiveness of the Government’s approach that economic growth alone will increase social cohesion and solve the nation’s social problems. Clearly economic growth has not lead to greater prosperity for all or increased the equitable sharing of jobs.

"We would be disappointed if people who are unemployed continue to be used as scapegoats in any new welfare system" he concluded.

Contact: (02) 6281 1087 Mobile 0419 417 563