The Government’s injection of $300 million for employment services is a welcome boost to assist people who are retrenched in the economic downturn, says the Australian Council of Social Service.

“ACOSS welcomes the Government’s investment of $300 million to assist newly retrenched workers remain engaged with the workforce. People retrenched in a downturn will find it hard to get back on their feet without more help,” said Clare Martin, CEO, ACOSS.

“We have also been urging the Government to take steps to improve the job prospects of long term unemployed people through a program of paid work experience in mainstream jobs. Under the new Job Network arrangements funding for employment services decreases once people are unemployed for over a year.”

“ACOSS has also been calling for the Newstart payment to be increased by $30 a week to $255 per week for singles.”

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