Self-reliant
Andrew Pakin, Sydney NSW
Date: 10 May 2008
As an underemployed casual worker and volunteer, I resent having to meet mutual obligation requirements through diaries and other checking methods when I have been an active volunteer long before I was required to do any mutual obligation.
I started volunteering for myself, because I knew that it would help me find work in my field, which is in the cultural sector. The volunteer eventually lead to some casual work, which I hope will eventually lead to part-time and full-time opportunities. This will only happen as long as Centrelink and Job Network let me pursue my job search efforts my own way, rather than interfere and make me do activities that are of little value to me.
I think Mutual Obligation and Work for the Dole should be for people who are doing nothing, but those of us who are already doing volunteering, community work or casual work should be left alone to pursue or goals our own way.
