A welfare reform package has just passed Australian parliament which includes harsher penalties for people who fail to meet job-seeking obligations.
The changes for the legislation means people will no longer be able to use drug and alcohol dependence as a reasonable excuse for not meeting obligations, and wait times for unemployment payments will be increased.
The reform, which will begin July 1st, also introduces a new compliance framework under which people could lose welfare payments for failing to apply for jobs, or not meeting other study or training requirements.