Social Security Amendment (National Green Jobs Corps Supplement) Bill 2009
Tuesday, 25 May 2010 04:09
DARREN CHEESEMAN SPEECH ON Social Security Amendment (National Green Jobs Corps Supplement) Bill 2009Mr Speaker, it's a great pleasure to speak on this Bill, with legislation that provides a really great double whammy.
This Bill is about both protecting the environment, and providing young people with jobs.
It's another example of a Labor Government Bill that achieves multiple positive outcomes.
Providing young people with really good, satisfying jobs, where they gain knowledge.
The detail of the legislation is amendments to Social Security Act 1991 to provide for National Green Jobs Corps supplement for eligible recipients of Youth Allowance (Other), Newstart Allowance and Parenting Payment.
This Bill introduces a new temporary National Green Jobs Corps Supplement.
This supplement will assist low-skilled job seekers receiving Youth Allowance, Newstart Allowance or Parenting Payment when they are undertaking the new youth environmental work experience program, National Green Jobs Corps.
Mr Speaker, so much good work has been done in my own electorate of Corangamite through Green Corp.
It's great to see young people engaged, learning things, being outdoor and active. And they are doing useful work that enhances the environment and our communities.
Green Corp projects have been undertaken right across the Surf Coast, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Otway Ranges.
It's a fantastic program.
We are now, through this legislation, aligning the National Green Jobs Corps with the Government's Compact with Young Australians.
The Government's Compact for Young Autralians guarantees a training place to those under the age of 25 who are not employed, to ensure they have the skills needed for the economic recovery.
The majority of the participants when they complete the program will have attained a Certificate level II qualification.
This is also consistent with the Compact with Young Australians where jobseekers aged under 20 without Year 12 are encouraged to attain a Year 12 equivalent qualification.
The Supplement will be available to Youth Allowance (other), Newstart Allowance and Parenting Payment recipients who are participating in National Green Jobs Corps.
Eligible recipients will receive an extra $41.60 per fortnight while they participate in the program.
The Training Supplement will be available for people commencing National Green Jobs Corps between the period 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011.
Mr Speaker, the National Green Corps Program is now a very significant national program.
From humble beginnings, it has become a real force.
10,000 places will be provided through the life of the program over the next 2 years.
These places are targeted at 17-24 year olds without Year 12 qualifications who struggle to engage with the education and training system.
The program will provide structured work experience and accredited training.
The National Green Jobs Corps Supplement is an additional payment of $41.60 per fortnight to help eligible participants receiving income support payments meet costs incurred by participating in the program.
It will also act as an incentive, encouraging young people to participate in the Program.
It will be available for participants who commence before 2012.
Mr Speaker, the thing I particularly like about Green Corp, is the way it is being used to specifically target young, low skilled people.
Instead of young people being left to their own devices, hanging out on the streets, or staring at the telly, this program is providing kids with what I believe is real motivational work.
It provides work that has real worth.
It teaches skills that have real worth.
It brings young people together in useful and interesting activities.
It gets young people out into places that are interesting.
It gets young people working cooperatively together.
The payments to young people through this scheme that support the costs involved in participating in this scheme are also very targeted.
The Supplement is limited to those who receive income support payments in recognition that they are a group which generally need support.
It is important to note in relation to this program that it has now also been extended to 17 year olds.
This is to bring the program into line with Compact with Young Australians, which requires from 1 January 2010 that all Youth Allowance recipients to be studying or training until they get Year 12 or a Certificate II qualification.
Those who are unable to study will be required to participate in activities (such as part time work, part time study/training etc) for 25 hours a week.
This means that there will be a large group of 17 years who would be seeking to participate in National Green Jobs Corps in order to meet their participation requirements.
Mr Speaker, that's a very good thing.
As many people know, 17 is a vulnerable age.
A lot of 17 year olds are sneaking into pubs at this age, considering themselves adult, entering into risk behaviours.
To bring them under the umbrella of the program is a very positive step forward I believe.
Mr Speaker, this Bill is another example of how the Rudd Labor Government is supporting young people into work and educational activities.
I have no doubt there will be many young people who will be inspired by what they do during Green Corp programs, and whose lives may well be turned around because of it.
As we know the Labor Government are moving on multiple fronts to support young Australians.
We are improving education opportunities by improving student income support.
Building better high schools and universities.
Engaging in a national dialogue between the Federal Government and young people, including with the Prime Minister.
Developing preventative programs on issues such as alcohol abuse, and helping on a wide range of other areas.
We are giving young Australian a helping hand wherever we can.
And this is another example of it and I commend the Bill to the house.
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