Sharman Stone (Murray, Liberal Party, Minister for Workforce Participation) Share this | Hansard source

You invented it? Well, in 1997 the member for Jagajaga absolutely refuted the need for any mutual obligation. In the ALP’s 2001 election policy, Labor proudly proclaimed, ‘Labor is committed to retaining Work for the Dole.’ But then two years later, the member for Grayndler stated that Work for the Dole is a ‘cynical use of the unemployed for political advantage’. Flip-flop, flip-flop! So where on earth does Labor stand on assisting the long-term unemployed into work? Since Labor’s economic mismanagement actually creates record levels of unemployment, you would think they would have something to say about unemployment programs. Today, we are very pleased to see that the OECD Employment Outlook 2007 has confirmed that our government’s mutual obligation and employment programs are key to getting people back into work. I recommend the Labor Party read that report very carefully because, for a party whose incompetence creates unemployment, they really need to get a handle on what to do about the ensuing human cost.

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