Over 200,000 Australians over 50 are now receiving unemployment benefits, with that number rising by 24,000 in 2013 alone.
The figures come after the Federal Government yesterday announced a new $5.1 billion employment package, which includes an expanded Work for the Dole scheme.
The scheme will force healthy, able-bodied jobseekers between 18 and 49 years old to undertake a set amount of work hours per week, as well as apply for 40 jobs a month in order to receive benefits.
Now, I have been critical of some parts of the employment package (but only the mad bits!), so in the interests of fairness the government has some good ideas and seems to be setting a good environment to engage with older unemployed Australians.
The 'Restart' package of incentives is sensible and set at a level and in a manner that I think will work.
This clearly has been considered and I believe it's likely to be effective.
At the right time, in the right place - well done.
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