The problem with work for the dole schemes is of course the design of them. It is obviously ridiculous to have public servants, who have no idea of what a day's work looks like, design the systems. A much better idea would be to allocate people to private employers for their work time.

On the other hand, any worthwhile person would want to put back at least the value they are holding their hand out for. Anyone who doesn't consider that fair is not worth supporting.

This does not help the frustration many involved must feel.

One real advantage could be the elimination or rorting of welfare. If all recipients had to work the same 2.5 days each week, they could not register in many names, or hold down full time jobs while getting welfare.

Another such good idea destroyed by bureaucratic control is community service in place of prison sentences. I was involved a couple of times. In one instance we got 8 inmates on work to release & a prison guard for a couple of weeks to help on a park & sports oval project. This was great for them & our community.

The next time it was people sentenced to community service for similar work. They turned up, I turned up, but the public servant supposedly overseeing the project was either hours late, or did not appear all day.

We need a 3 strikes system with public servants. When they accumulate 3 legitimate complaints from the public, they should be out & on the dole que themselves.