CCP style Social credit system being rolled out in Australia

Uproar over new points-based system for welfare recipients

Alarm bells are ringing about a new Centrelink system that has been called “the Hunger Games crossed with Black Mirror”.

An impending change to Centrelink has been described as “the Hunger Games crossed with Black Mirror”, with welfare recipients concerned about the potential ramifications it could have.

From July 1 the process of mutual obligations, tasks, activities, job interviews and searches a person had to complete to receive their welfare payments will be removed and replaced with the points-based activation system (PBAS).

While many are happy to see the end of the tedious mutual obligations system, there are concerns the PBAS could bring a whole new set of problems for Centrelink users.

To keep receiving their payments, welfare recipients must receive 100 points and do a minimum of five job searches each month.

There is a list of more than 30 tasks and activities that each carry their own individual points value.

But queries have been raised over the varied points value for different tasks and how it could leave some people struggling to reach the required total.

Programs like PaTH Internship, the National Work Experience Program and Launch into Work earn 25 points per week, enough to reach the 100 total.

But other activities like full-time Work for the Dole, the Adult Migrant English Program and Skills for Education and Employment are worth 20 points a week, meaning those involved need to take on extra tasks to make up the remaining 20 points.

Other activities include five points for every five hours of paid work, 20 points for attending a job interview and 10 points for being a part of the Defence Force Reserves (on a minimum of one weekend per month).

Relocating for a job is the only task that offers the full 100 points in one go.

If an individual has additional points left over after hitting their monthly 100 total, they can be banked for next month for up to half (50) of their points target.

Welfare recipients have been warned they could have their payments suspended and receive a demerit if their points target or minimum job searches are not met.

https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/uproar-over-new-pointsbased-system-for-welfare-recipients/news-story/150a60503a14f7a8559c249b5f60d242