Why keep two technical training systems on the road when neither is worthy of a pink slip, asks Ben Eltham.

Minh Nguyen describes the Howard Government's development of 'mutual obligation' into a national policy brand. Wherever this brand is applied, from the welfare system to foreign aid, it points the finger at the disadvantaged and implies there is something intrinsically wrong with their behaviour, requiring systems of reward and punishment. After ten years the phrase is here to stay, says Nguyen, so it's time for supporters of a fair and responsible Australia to ensure that the obligation in 'mutual obligation' is actually mutual.

Australians tend to agree that it is better to give a hand up than a hand out to those in need. Yet given its rate of success, the Commonwealth Government’s ‘mutual obligation’ policy is more appropriately described as a backhander to Australia’s most disadvantaged jobseekers.