Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I can indicate that the opposition will not be opposing the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Employment Entry Payment) Bill 2008, but it is worthwhile briefly setting out the history of this particular piece of legislation. The objective of the legislation is to repeal the employment entry payment. That will be effective as of 1 July 2008. The employment entry payment was in fact first introduced by Labor in 1989 via the Newstart program. It was introduced to help the unemployed meet certain short-term costs of moving into and retaining full-time work. It is interesting to note that this bill was introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister on 29 May 2008 and it is one of the measures that the government believe will save them something around the $60.8 million mark over a five-year period. Of course, the Labor Party trumpet this as being part of their economic responsibility. Removing these payments just goes to show how economically responsible they are.

The interesting thing is that, since it was elected in 1996, the Howard government tried to remove these payments and time and time again the then Labor opposition opposed the move. All that nonsense has now been exposed by the Labor Party saying—following the Peter Garrett line—‘Don’t listen to what we say in opposition; look at what we do in government.’ What they have done is to say, ‘Yes, the Howard policy that we frustrated and refused to pass through the Senate time and time again during the 11½ years of the Howard government suddenly is very good policy.’ I can promise the minister and I can promise the government that, unlike those opposite, we do not play politics on these issues. If it is good policy under us, it is also good policy under Labor.

It is worthwhile listening to some of the statements made back in 1999 by the current Treasurer, Mr Wayne Swan. He criticised the Howard government measures on this basis:

With the stroke of a pen, another small but very important measure, which encourages the movement from welfare to work, has been knocked out. Once again, the government has put its boot in and pushed down the most vulnerable sections of the community who should be encouraged to move from welfare to work or from welfare to education.

That was Mr Wayne Swan opposing our proposals on 9 March 1999. In relation to this matter, on 25 March 1999 he said:

If the government really believes in helping young people get into jobs, why is it currently trying to abolish the employment entry payment?

Mr Albanese also said on 9 March 1999:

We should be about encouraging people in employment rather than imposing additional burdens upon them. But this is consistent with the lack of compassion shown by this government.

The Labor Party are now showing all this same lack of compassion, if we are to believe the nonsense of Mr Swan and Mr Albanese all those years ago. I say to them: no, the Labor government are not showing a lack of compassion in relation to this; they are making a good case. It was a case that was before them but that they rejected for mean, political reasons. That was the only reason: to try to beat up an issue and pretend that somehow they were the champions of those who were on welfare. Clearly these measures are seen as being appropriate. It is just a pity that the Labor Party have not been consistent on this—as, in fact, they have failed to be consistent on so many other things.

In the response by the minister, I would be pleased if I could have these few questions answered. Is it possible that some job seekers will no longer be able to access a payment? I would be obliged if I could be advised of that in the summing up by the minister. On 2 June 2008, at Senate estimates, my colleagues were asking the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations how many people would be disadvantaged as a result of removing this payment. The department at that stage was unable to provide an answer. Given that they have now had another three weeks or so, hopefully an answer to that question will be forthcoming. Similarly, we would be interested to know how this decision will impact on those on a disability support pension who are enrolled with a disability employment network provider, because it appears that no additional compensation will be available for these people. As I indicated, we do not oppose the legislation.