The Government's being accused of failing to learn from past mistakes with its new benefit sanctions scheme.

It's announced new rules requiring beneficiaries to reapply more often.

People who fail to follow the rules could see half their benefit put on a payment card can that only be spent on essentials.

Youth justice consultant Shirley Johnson told Ryan Bridge we've had measures like this before and claims they didn't work. 

She says it feels foolish to go back and re-do what didn't work before, when other measures are already working and are very effective.

Johnson said that while accountability's important, many young people are grappling with a challenging job market. 

She told Bridge that unemployment's going up, and it's currently twice as high for young people.

Johnson says many young people are doing it tough and punishing them won't help.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government's being accused of failing to learn from past mistakes with its new benefit sanctions scheme. 
It's announced new rules requiring beneficiaries to reapply more often. 
People who fail to follow the rules could see half their benefit put on a payment card can that only be spent on essentials. 
Youth justice consultant Shirley Johnson told Ryan Bridge we've had measures like this before and claims they didn't work.  
She says it feels foolish to go back and re-do what didn't work before, when other measures are already working and are very effective. 
Johnson said that while accountability's important, many young people are grappling with a challenging job market.  
She told Bridge that unemployment's going up, and it's currently twice as high for young people. 
Johnson says many young people are doing it tough and punishing them won't help. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Shirley Johnson: Youth Justice Consultant critiques the Government's new benefit sanctions scheme

The Australian Government is facing calls to go further with proposed restrictions on gambling ads.

It's looking to ban ads during sports broadcasts, during children's programming, and online.

But a 60-strong alliance —including former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, and prominent figures from across the political spectrum— are calling for a complete ban.

Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge minor parties are also backing the ball, particularly the Greens.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Australian Government is facing calls to go further with proposed restrictions on gambling ads. 
It's looking to ban ads during sports broadcasts, during children's programming, and online. 
But a 60-strong alliance —including former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, and prominent figures from across the political spectrum— are calling for a complete ban. 
Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge minor parties are also backing the ball, particularly the Greens. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the calls to ban gambling ads in Australia

The AA says the devil will be in the details when it comes to “time of use” charging. 

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says he'll introduce legislation by the end of the year which will see drivers taxed to use some sections of road at certain times. 

AA Policy Director Martin Glynn says while there are benefits, there are also kinks to be worked out. 

He says certain tweaks to the charge will likely be needed. 

Martin Glynn says people going to work or school at set times with no access to public transport need to be catered for.

LISTEN ABOVE

The AA says the devil will be in the details when it comes to “time of use” charging.  
Transport Minister Simeon Brown says he'll introduce legislation by the end of the year which will see drivers taxed to use some sections of road at certain times.  
AA Policy Director Martin Glynn says while there are benefits, there are also kinks to be worked out.  
He says certain tweaks to the charge will likely be needed.  
Martin Glynn says people going to work or school at set times with no access to public transport need to be catered for. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Martin Glynn: AA Policy Director on the introduction of congestion charging

Every government is thinking ahead to when they next need to be re-elected.

There's a risk here that the government is taking when it goes for sanctions on beneficiaries, when it goes for tougher requirements and criteria when it comes to social housing, for example, and you're starting to see some kick back already in response to some of these changes.

If you're a centrist voter you might think those are reasonable expectations to put on social housing providers, to put on emergency accommodation criteria, to put on beneficiaries through sanctions or obligations.

You might think those things are reasonable.

On the other hand, you might think that seems a bit cruel. And actually, in an economy like this where jobs are hard to come by, I might find myself in that position. I don't want to have those types of obligations; I don't understand what those obligations are.

So, there is a political risk to doing it stuff, but it's bread and butter for National and it's bread and butter for ACT, this is exactly what their base want what their supporters want and so they are doing it, but it does come with some political risk.

One thing that the Government need to get on top of is retail crime.

The Dairy Owner's group, this is based on police data, say that retail crime is up 17% under National.

This is the coalition government that has said ‘we're going to crack down on retail crime’.

The first five months of this year versus last year theft was up, robberies were down 5%, burglaries down 10%, but here's the one you need to worry about: acts intended to cause injury were up 4%. 

That is very bad, and you're seeing it with hammers and all sorts of things being used as weapons in shops. That, the Government needs to get on top of because they made a big promise, Mark Mitchell has talked a big talk, the numbers so far aren't tracking in their direction, and they need to turn them around.

Every government is thinking ahead to when they next need to be re-elected. 
There's a risk here that the government is taking when it goes for sanctions on beneficiaries, when it goes for tougher requirements and criteria when it comes to social housing, for example, and you're starting to see some kick back already in response to some of these changes. 
If you're a centrist voter you might think those are reasonable expectations to put on social housing providers, to put on emergency accommodation criteria, to put on beneficiaries through sanctions or obligations. 
You might think those things are reasonable. 
On the other hand, you might think that seems a bit cruel. And actually, in an economy like this where jobs are hard to come by, I might find myself in that position. I don't want to have those types of obligations; I don't understand what those obligations are. 
So, there is a political risk to doing it stuff, but it's bread and butter for National and it's bread and butter for ACT, this is exactly what their base want what their supporters want and so they are doing it, but it does come with some political risk. 
One thing that the Government need to get on top of is retail crime. 
The Dairy Owner's group, this is based on police data, say that retail crime is up 17% under National. 
This is the coalition government that has said ‘we're going to crack down on retail crime’. 
The first five months of this year versus last year theft was up, robberies were down 5%, burglaries down 10%, but here's the one you need to worry about: acts intended to cause injury were up 4%. 
That is very bad, and you're seeing it with hammers and all sorts of things being used as weapons in shops. That, the Government needs to get on top of because they made a big promise, Mark Mitchell has talked a big talk, the numbers so far aren't tracking in their direction, and they need to turn them around.

Shirley Johnson: Youth Justice Consultant critiques the Government's new benefit sanctions scheme

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips