ParentsNext welfare program an ‘absolute scandal’, women’s advocates tell inquiry

A parliamentary inquiry into the employment services system has been told by women’s advocates that the ParentsNext program should be voluntary or scrapped. Photograph: Dan Peled/AAP

The Albanese government’s failure to wind up the controversial ParentsNext program is not consistent with its commitment to gender equity, women’s advocates argue.

In submissions to a parliamentary inquiry investigating the employment services system, several key women’s and domestic violence groups called for the $110m-a-year pre-employment program to be made voluntary or scrapped entirely.