Leigh Coleman, the chief executive of Hillsong Emerge, said it
would monitor the financial case management program closely over
the coming months. It would “assess its involvement” after
reviewing the experiences of people referred to the agency.
Last week, the Catholic agency Centacare withdrew from the
program, and it has been boycotted by all the main church and
non-government welfare agencies.
Mr Coleman said in a statement: “Like a number of other
faith-based community services, we have some reservations about
aspects of the welfare-to-work changes.” While it believed the
program’s impact would be best assessed through implementation,
Hillsong would assess its involvement if it became apparent
improvements were needed.
The refusal of other agencies to sign up to the program has left
Hillsong Emerge, the welfare arm of the evangelical Hillsong
Church, as the biggest non-government provider of financial case
management services to unemployed people in NSW.
The program involves financial counselling of sole parents and
disabled people who are stripped of their unemployment benefit for
eight weeks for breaching certain job search rules. About 4000 of
the estimated 18,000 people a year who will suffer the eight-week
non-payment period are expected to eligible for the program. Many
would be likely to regain some or all of their benefits in order to
pay rent and food bills.
However, the main church and non-government charities have
argued it is immoral for the Government to impose such a tough
penalty, especially as it is now applicable the first time certain
rules are broken – such as dismissal from a job for misconduct –
rather than for a third breach. It will now also apply to parents
of young children, and people with disabilities and medical
problems.
The charities have argued Centrelink should take responsibility
for financial case management.
Apparently stung by criticism of its participation, Hillsong
Emerge said in making its decision it had spoken at length to
Centrelink and others to ensure stringent safeguards were in place
to protect the vulnerable under the new arrangements. “We believe
it is essential that those who are affected be properly supported,”
Mr Coleman said.
The agency had not yet received a referral from Centrelink to
the program.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hillsong-thinks-again-on-welfare/2006/08/23/1156012614378.html