It's not a space I have much contact with, but it does seem to me that the non-indigenous unemployed are either in temporary unemployment or are the rugged and the buggered. I can't see dropping unemployment much. Would like to know how many of the unemployed are mentally ill, socially dysfunctional, or coping with physical ailments and disabilities that make inflexible employment impossible for them.
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Gillard attacks wrong target
WE HAVE been researching for a decade the long-term unemployed. We write to correct what is an unfortunate undercurrent and set of assumptions underpinning policy in regard to this group of people. The Prime Minister and employment services policy generally lay the blame for continued unemployment on the people themselves - either as a function of skills or character deficits (''PM takes aim at welfare'', The Age, 14/4).
Current unemployment is largely a function of macroeconomic policy. Treasury uses the unemployment rate to manage inflation: the higher the levels of unemployment, the lower the inflation rate. It does this by turning on or off the ''taps'' of the economy through government expenditure.
Further, the long-term unemployed - particularly the mature-aged unemployed and people with disabilities - are desperate for work but continually face discrimination. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister deliberately ignores the ineffective functioning of the labour market. In the short and medium term we need social policy measures to improve the living conditions of the unemployed and over the long term we need to refocus efforts on sustainable labour market policies.
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Professor Catherine McDonald, RMIT University, and Professor Greg Marston, The University of Queensland, St Lucia
Middle-class benefits
SO IT'S not fair for taxpayers to support people who can support themselves? In that case, as a taxpayer on average wages, can I ask the Prime Minister what her government is going to do about me having to subsidise private health insurance, private school education and negative gearing when I can afford none of them? Those who can afford them are well able to support themselves.
Marian Gedye, Killawarra
Forget social inclusion
WHEN Gillard says, ''It's not fair for taxpayers to support someone who can support themselves,'' is she suggesting that long-term welfare recipients have the means to improve their situation?
There is a vast difference between ''survival'' and ''function'' in today's society, and our search to serve the community and find a place to belong is not always easy. As an over-55 with minor health problems and no bankable workplace skills - who has tried to move forward on a diet of short-term-employment and income-support; who has worked hard to build a career as an artist, writer and educator; and who does voluntary work two days per week to justify entitlement to Newstart - I have a good idea of what's fair and what's not.
I also have a good idea what politicians mean when they use the words ''fair'' and ''taxpayers'' in the same sentence. Thanks Julia; I'm sure that's what social inclusion is all about.
Nick Costello, Boronia
Can't upset the powerful
IF ONLY the disadvantaged who are being asked to pull their own weight had the resources to mount an aggressive advertising campaign. Maybe then they could continue to live in the ''luxury'' our government affords them. Yet mining companies seem unashamed to announce record profits in the wake of their bullying against the mining tax. Unfortunately, recent rhetoric suggests we look to the most vulnerable to avoid upsetting the most powerful.
Lisa Blanch, North Balwyn
Two-speed economy
IT SEEMS Tony Abbott is now pulling Julia's strings as she shifts further to the right. In the eyes of politicians there is no such thing as people being unemployed, just unwilling to work. It's time all politicians realised that just because the mining industry is booming, the rest of the economy is not in the same situation. Many desperately want jobs, but don't have the opportunities that others get. I am a very disillusioned (former) Labor supporter, having expected great things from a minister ''wanting 30 per cent of 30-year-olds to have a tertiary qualification'' but not willing to walk the talk. Julia, show leadership and take action on the root cause of the issues.
Adrian Cope, Gisborne
Politics
JULIA Gillard has finally acted on criticism that she's under the influence of the Greens. She's now under the influence of Tony Abbott.
Stephen Jeffery, Sandy Bay, Tas
GILLARD and Abbott won't chase the top end of town because the disabled are easier to catch.
Paul Custance, Highett
GILLARD declares it's not fair for taxpayers to pay for someone who can support themselves. A pity she didn't show the same high courage when caving in to the mining companies.
Robert Gardiner, Welshmans Reef
POOR sorry souls on the dole.
Joshua Bain, Carlton
