The Wire

Less than a year into the government’s new welfare system, and thousands of unemployed Australians are worse off. More than 20,000 people who’ve failed to meet Centrelink conditions have already been financially penalised. That’s 25 per cent more than under John Howard’s controversial welfare to work regime. This Senate Estimates revelation has outraged welfare groups, who argue the sanctions further disadvantage our most vulnerable. But the government says tough action is needed to get people into jobs. Is cutting payments the way to go?