Bligh's 'Green Army'

Studies show that while some types of government help - such as job search assistance - are effective in getting unemployed people into permanent and sustainable work, direct job creation is not one of them. According to the OECD, these programs have had “little success in helping unemployed people get jobs in the open labour market”.

Work for the Dole and other programs which keep unemployed people in the habit of work and help them brush up their skills can be successful but these are undertaken in addition to, not instead of, looking for a permanent job.

There’s no doubt that the most pressing problem for all Australian governments - including Queensland’s - is rising unemployment. Anna Bligh is right to make it her priority. However, the Green Army will have a limited effect at best. At worst, it will actually displace other jobs that would have been created. The best thing any government can do to lower unemployment is to facilitate a competitive jobs market, by focusing on lowering any barriers - such as taxes or red tape - that stop businesses from hiring new workers.

The risk in the Green Army project is that in trying to achieve two objectives, neither will be met. Some workers will be “painting rocks” when they could be spending their time looking for a better paid and permanent job, while poor conservation projects may get the go-ahead ahead of more deserving ones.