Dole changes still on table: Morrison

Budget changes forcing young people off the dole remain on the table, says Social Services Minister Scott Morrison.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison says the government's controversial plan to force young people off the dole is still on the table.

Under rules proposed in last year's budget, unemployed people under 30 would have to wait six months before receiving benefits and would then undertake six months of work for the dole.

The change is being blocked in the Senate and there have been calls within the coalition to back down on it.

"Every measure that's on the table in the Senate remains on the table," Mr Morrison said of the measure on Wednesday.

"I want to be really clear about that."

However, the minister said if Labor or crossbenchers wanted to take the measure off the table they would need to propose something else that would help repair the budget while also dealing with youth unemployment.

"You've got to come forward with proposals and ideas so if something's coming off the table then something is going on the table," he said.

"I am open for business when it comes to all of those measures."

Mr Morrison said the government was looking at the New Zealand model of identifying risk factors in unemployed young people and coming up with specific plans to meet their individual needs.


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Source: AAP


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