Media Release - Low Unemployment Figures - Measure What Matters

Catholic Social Services Australia's Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, said at first glance today's unemployment rate of 4.3 per cent looks like good news for those people now in jobs.

But, he said, leaving income support and moving into paid work doesn't necessarily mean that families and children are better off.

"A significant proportion of people included in today's statistics are single parents who have been forced into work because of changes to welfare to work which came into effect on 1 July this year," Mr Quinlan said. 

"While there are unquestionable merits in helping people find jobs, there is a need to look at the quality of those jobs and the impact of the move on often particularly vulnerable families.

"Under the new arrangements, single parents must start looking for at least 15 hours of work a week once their youngest child turns six. And they must accept a wide range of "suitable" work, even outside school hours.

"We need to be mindful of the delicate balance that exists in a stable family life.

"A number of questions need to be answered in the interests of the family.

"What is the impact on young school-age children of the forced entry into the job market of their single parents?

"Is the job permanent or casual? Does the employee have access to paid sick leave and annual leave? Is the job flexible enough to allow the parent to respond to urgent family needs? Is the job available during family friendly hours or is the parent required to work weekends and/or nights? Does the employee have any say over fluctuating work shifts? And does the remuneration justly compensate the family?

"Many single parents risk being churned between low-paid, low-skill jobs and reliance on income support.

"Rather than pushing single parents into the first available job government needs to look at ways to help parents progress to better paid, more secure work.

"For some parents this means supporting them to gain better skills and qualifications. It also means ensuring affordable, accessible quality childcare.

"Government should gather and report data on family well-being - not just the numbers of people in employment and off income support.

"Governments must be held accountable for their policies, but this is difficult when these important considerations are not being measured," Mr Quinlan said.

Catholic Social Services Australia represents 63 member agencies which provide services to over a million Australians each year. 

CONTACT:  Judith Tokley           02 6285 1366 / 0408 824 306