Australia’s welfare system was under extreme pressure. During two years of the Targeted Compliance Framework’s introduction, nearly a thousand jobseekers had their income support payments trebled unlawfully as they were terminated. Rolled out nationally in 2018, this system tracks jobseekers’ adherence to these mutual obligations—requirements to search for jobs, go to interviews, etc. While we acknowledge its automatic cancellation process, we have major concerns about its effects on vulnerable Australians.
Commonwealth Ombudsman, Iain Anderson undertook an investigation into the Targeted Compliance Framework showing shocking truths about how it operated. Anderson’s report, due in July, will include seven recommendations to reform the framework and mitigate all the harm it has wrought. In July last year, after widespread outrage, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations put a halt on these cancellations. They made a point of doing this in response to long-standing concerns.
Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), has been sounding the alarm on the Targeted Compliance Framework for years. She did not mince words, calling it “harsh, brutal and crush people. The organization’s fears have been echoed by The Greens, including Penny Allman-Payne, who have actively lobbied for the framework’s abolition, labeling it as “not only cruel, but completely dysfunctional.”
Findings of the Ombudsman
The Ombudsman’s investigation revealed that nearly 1,000 jobseekers faced unlawful payment cancellations due to the Targeted Compliance Framework’s automated processes. The administration’s own report condemned the system for ignoring the unique realities in people’s lives before cutting off someone’s payments.
NESTA Chief Executive Iain Anderson reminded us all that we need to be very careful about using automation within our welfare systems.
“That big change required the individual circumstances of each jobseeker to be considered before their payment was cancelled, and that’s the step that they didn’t do — instead the system went on automatically cancelling payments,” – Iain Anderson
Anderson underscored the dangerous impact of these cancellations for people who are already among the worst above the poverty line.
“Imagine that if you were already living under the poverty line, so you can’t necessarily afford to pay rent, to feed yourself, to clothe yourself, but imagine then that that income is cut off for four weeks or more,” – Iain Anderson
He called it “hell on Earth” for many of the impacted people.
Calls for Reform
In response to the Ombudsman’s findings, advocates from the human rights, civil liberties and transportation communities are calling for urgent reform to the Targeted Compliance Framework. Kristin O’Connell from the Antipoverty Centre stated that simply implementing the Ombudsman’s recommendations is inadequate.
“It has never been more obvious that this must happen,” – Kristin O’Connell
O’Connell once again underscored the reality welfare recipients have long traveled to convey, an extremely harmful nature of mandated undertakings under mutual obligations. The Antipoverty Centre has always maintained that the only way to stop people from dying like this is a complete reappraisal of these obligations.
Allman-Payne called on the administration to announce strong intent to combat the framework.
“Stop cancelling payments right now, abolish the mess that is the Targeted Compliance Framework, and work toward an end to mutual obligations,” – Penny Allman-Payne
Likewise, the government has recognized the need to make sure our welfare systems work well — especially when they have to engage with often vulnerable populations. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the Ombudsman’s report was thorough and welcomed her confidence to see all of its recommendations implemented as soon as possible.
Future Investigations and Developments
All of these recommendations from the Commonwealth Ombudsman contribute to a long-term push for welfare reform in Australia. A second report providing more information on investigative efforts into decision-making processes regarding cancellations will be released later this year.
As of today, more than 883,000 Australians are living under the punitive conditions of the Targeted Compliance Framework. Stakeholders are rightly sounding alarms about the detrimental effects this framework has on jobseekers. Most advocates would agree that any of these measures are in dire need of reform. They’re keen to avoid making the same mistakes that were exposed when the Robodebt scandal blew up.
Goldie from ACOSS pointed out that legislative changes must align with operational practices to ensure individuals receive fair treatment within the welfare system.
“The report reinforces that when legislative changes are made, it is essential the processes and systems that agencies employ to deliver services reflect the legislation,” – Cassandra Goldie
