Senator Barnaby Joyce is pleased to hear of the 60 new Queensland Work for the Dole activities for August 2006 announced by The Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP, Minister for Workforce Participation.

Dr Stone also announced the approval of 343 new Work for the Dole activities across Australia for the month of August 2006. These activities offer 2718 opportunities for job seekers to gain valuable work experience.

Senator Joyce said ‛There were 60 new activities for the state of Queensland with places for 531 job seekers.’

Senator Joyce added, ‛Participants in Work for the Dole activities are improving their prospects of finding a job and are re-building their self-esteem and work skills.’

‛It’s a Mutual Obligation initiative that gives job seekers what they need—active participation and continuing contact with the world of work,’ he said.

‘A great range of activities are available for people to undertake from constructing garden beds and concrete pathways at a golf club to working in customer service within the retail industry.’ Senator Joyce said

‛Since Work for the Dole was introduced in 1997, a total of 510 163 unemployed Australians have commenced in a total of 30 927 activities nationally.

‛The bottom line is Work for the Dole is working. It is part of the Australian Government’s integrated approach to tackling long-term unemployment and its success is reflected in the record low levels of unemployment and the significant falls in long-term unemployment.’

Senator Joyce also said ‛I especially congratulate the local Community Work Coordinators and project sponsors who have successfully proposed these very worthwhile activities in Queensland. They are doing a great job in bringing benefits to both local unemployed people and to local communities.