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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
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2005
Media Releases
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200830 Mar 2012 - Government Taking Strong Action to Ensure the Integrity of Employment Services
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
Minister for Employment Participation
Minister for Early Childhood and Child Care
MEDIA RELEASE
30 March 2012
Government taking strong action to ensure the integrity of employment services
The Australian Government has announced changes to national employment services to simplify and preserve the integrity of the successful system.
Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis said the $4.7 billion Job Services Australia (JSA) program has been a key part of the Australian Government's employment record that has seen over 700,000 Australians enter paid employment since 2007.
It's a program that is working well but while most employment service providers do the right thing - investigations have shown that there is evidence of inappropriate practices.
"The Government has taken the decision to immediately amend all new employment services contracts so that there is no longer scope for providers to exploit the system," Ms Ellis said.
"We are also simplifying the system and making it more user friendly, so that staff can spend more time on the work that really matters - getting people into jobs.
From 1 July, JSA providers will be paid a single outcome payment for placing a jobseeker in employment for 13 and 26 weeks.
This replaces the former system where a provider could claim a higher payment for making direct contact with an employer to identify a vacancy before the job seeker secures the position and a lower payment for when the provider has up-skilled and supported a jobseeker to undertake job search activity and secure an ongoing job themselves.
Whilst the Australian Government is confident that these changes remove the scope for misuse of the system, any job seekers who have concerns are encouraged to raise them directly with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations via a new tip-off line on 1300 874536.
"I will not allow substandard behaviour to tarnish the good record and reputation of Australia's employment services," Ms Ellis said.
"We need all employment service providers focusing on helping Australians to find a decent job, bring home a pay packet each week and gain the dignity of work and the promise of a brighter future.
An audit into JSA provider brokered outcomes, independently overseen by former senior Department of Finance and Deregulation official Mr Robert Butterworth, is expected to report to the Australian Government soon.
The Australian Government is currently assessing bids for the next round of contracts which will be announced next week.