ABC’s Paul Barclay

Our project’s Director Professor Peter Dwyer challenged the idea that sanctions and conditionality help people into work, in a panel discussion broadcast by Australia’s ABC Radio network. The panel members, recorded at the recent Australian Council of Social Service national conference, said that conditionality failed to have the results governments expected. Professor Dwyer said our UK study found that not only did sanctions not help people into work, but they worsened people’s illnesses and impairments. ‘We need to challenge conditionality wherever it raises its head,’ he concluded. Speakers from Australia echoed the findings from their own research and experience.

Does conditional welfare help the jobless find work?  was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Paul Barclay.