Murray Watt missing in action on mutual obligations disaster
Murray Watt missing in action on mutual obligations disaster | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Murray Watt missing in action on mutual obligations disaster 2025-03-21 The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations ’ extraordinary admission today that more elements of mutual obligations have been paused, again proves it is a completely broken system.
The Greens have repeatedly called on Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt to immediately suspend the Targeted Compliance Framework (TCF) after Greens questioning during estimates revealed the Department had no confidence the system was lawful. This follows on from reporting that ten people had passed away after their payments were cancelled due to a glitch DEWR failed to properly investigate.
Comments attributable to Greens spokesperson on Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne: “The Minister must stop running scared from this disaster unfolding under his watch. Labor is in Government, it’s their obligation to make sure they’re not punishing vulnerable people. “We’re talking about people experiencing extraordinary vulnerability, being punished unlawfully due to the machinery of a Department that doesn’t care whether people's meagre payments are taken from them or not.
“It is clear that the TCF is an expensive hangover from a conservative government which has been heartlessly prolonged by this Labor government for far too long. “During estimates neither the Minister or Secretary were able to provide any assurance that the mutual obligations regime is operating lawfully, which is a remarkable thing to admit given they continue to impose it on hundreds of thousands of people on income support.
“The Greens will continue fighting to eliminate for-profit providers from the employment services system, to restore the Commonwealth Employment Service, and abolish all mutual obligations.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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