In 1995, Jay Martin began working as an employment officer at Australia's Commonwealth Employment Service (CES), founded in 1946. She graduated into a recession and took the role to avoid unemployment herself. Martin expected to encounter 'dole bludgers' but instead found most clients desperately wanted work but struggled in an employer's market.
Personal Experience and Preconceptions
Martin had heard terms like 'dole bludgers' and 'welfare cheats' before starting. However, she quickly realized that many unemployed people were just unlucky. She felt their vulnerability, noting that losing a job could lead to a cascade of problems like losing car insurance and having an accident, making it harder to find work.
Resources to Help Job Seekers
Martin had a drawer full of resources: training programs, job subsidies, and even bus tickets. She used these to help clients turn their lives around. One success story involved a cabinet maker from Hong Kong who got a job after a work experience placement; his wife called to say they were happy to contribute to Australia. Another woman received interview training and a retail management CV, later gifting Martin an engraved pen.
Coercive System and Human Touch
The system was coercive, requiring people to take any 'reasonable' job or face losing payments. Martin used her power humanely, offering tissues to a woman in tears after racial abuse on a construction site. For young people spending days playing video games and smoking bongs, she made them attend 9am interviews until they chose work or training.
Digital Revolution and Institutional Change
Martin marveled at the new computers on every desk, which allowed instant messaging between CES officers. She was at the 'coalface' of social services and the digital revolution. After Keating lost the 1996 election, Howard's government broke up CES functions in 1998 through the largest public tender of human services in Australia. Many resources were cut, and later robodebt and a royal commission followed.
Martin reflects that the right help at the right time can make all the difference. She still has the engraved pen as a reminder.
