Are we "stumbling zombie-like into a digital dystopia"?

From the frontlines of a NON-full employment economy, we speak with Dr. Simone Casey on her observations of Workforce Australia.

Heterodox economists often say, there is no such thing as a "natural" or "free" market. All markets need government regulation in order to exist. Case in point: the privatised "employment services" market. This market requires both government regulation, and government money, in order to exist.

This market is going through a shake-up via new regulation -- a new contract -- transforming the market from "jobactive" to "Workforce Australia". But is this "market shake-up" going to help unemployed workers find meaningful, secure, decent work? Or will it merely refine the government's surveillance and punishment of people receiving unemployment benefits?

Show Notes

To contact ACOSS policy officer, Dr. Simone Casey, with your stories about Workforce Australia,
email Simone at  '; // --> (link sends e-mail)

Points-based Activation in Workforce Australia – ACOSS FAQ

Mutual obligations and the New Employment Services model (NESM) - ACOSS briefing

Points Based Activation System(link is external)

Introduction to the Points Based Activation System for Workforce Australia(link is external)

Explainer - Workforce Australia and Points Based Activation System (PBAS)(link is external)

GetUp! petition to employment service minister Tony Burke

Australian Unemployed Workers' Union (AUWU)
Mutual Obligation: Independent job seeker Satisfaction Survey
Dr Simone Casey, January 2020