Welfare innovation - What a very good idea

THE announcement that 13,300 people joined the dole queues last month is sobering. This brought the overall figure to 436,900. Even more worrying is the proportion of young men – one-in-three of those between 20 and 25 – who are unable to find work.

In this context the announcement that the Department of Social and Family Affairs is considering how to expedite welfare claims by allowing newly unemployed people to certify their own means is very welcome.

This is a practical application of compassion and logic. Losing a job, and all of the trauma and threat that brings, is chastening enough so let us hope this positive initiative succeeds and can be used right across the country.