Julian Hill talks jobs, tech, WikiLeaks, TikTok.

The recent increase in JobSeeker and associated payments in the federal budget was welcomed, but it did not address a crucial issue – how to help unemployed Australians find work, whether full-time or part-time. The government has acknowledged this with the upcoming release of a white paper on employment, and is also being discussed in a parliamentary inquiry into employment services, which is chaired by Julian Hill, the Labor member for Bruce.

There were 528,000 unemployed people in Australia in April, with 830,000 people on JobSeeker. However, not all JobSeekers are unemployed, and not all unemployed people are JobSeekers. Around 10% of people receiving JobSeeker have their participation requirements paused due to reasons like medical treatment or recovery. Many other JobSeekers also have part-time paid employment, which means they receive a partial payment. Hill emphasises that people’s perceptions towards unemployed Australians and those on JobSeeker needs to change. The national debate on long-term unemployment has been driven by the stereotype of the “dole bludger”, and the characteristics of people who are unemployed need to be examined to achieve a better outcome.

The parliamentary inquiry is a comprehensive review of unemployment, focusing on the differences between those who are unemployed and the skilled jobs that employers are looking to fill. The majority of people who are unemployed have no post-school qualification, while around 40% have not finished year 12. Hill believes that this fundamental mismatch is causing the entry-level job market to be inundated with at least 2 to 3 JobSeekers for every available job.

Artificial Intelligence and Government Service Delivery

Julian Hill is also interested in the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society and the economy. He believes that AI has the potential to transform numerous economies and government service delivery across the world. He admits that new AI technology will affect jobs, such as graphic designers, journalists, and artists, but it can also lead to productivity gains across the economy. However, Hill is also cautious, highlighting the potential for the use of AI to worsen discrimination and bias in processes like hiring, lending, and renting. He views the loss of jobs as a genuine concern, as AI alters human roles that have been relatively untouched for years, and jobs that require knowledge or critical thinking may become obsolete.

Julian Assange’s Trial and the Campaign for his Release

Julian Hill is part of the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group, which advocates for the release of Julian Assange from London’s maximum-security Belmarsh Prison. Hill’s stance on this issue has been long-standing, and he believes that it is a political decision to prosecute him. There has been some progress recently, and Hill remains hopeful for a political resolution, led by the US government. The group has been in dialogue with the US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, and is calling for an end to his prosecution or a negotiated settlement. Hill is planning to visit London in June to seek to visit Julian in Belmarsh, hoping that he may no longer be there and thus he does not have to make this trip.

Conclusion

Julian Hill’s parliamentary inquiry into employment services could redefine the way that the country views unemployment and JobSeeker payments. His interest in AI and its impact on society is important as Australia continues to navigate its future post-pandemic, and he remains dedicated to bringing Julian Assange back home.

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