68 000 parents have been placed on “Parent Next” - a government scheme that jeopardises their Centrelink payments if they fail to fulfill requirements of a “participation plan”.
Some single mothers in the program say they have been forced to attend “story time” or swimming lessons at their own expense, or apply for education courses despite prior qualifications.
CEO of the National Council of Single Mothers Terese Edwards says “it’s offensive that the government believes ... women aren’t trying to do what they can to increase the welfare of themselves and their child.”