In 1998 the Howard government formally introduced the controversial "Work for the Dole" scheme. This allowed unemployed people of low socio-economic status to "earn the dole" by doing community related work in the areas of heritage, the environment, arts, community care, tourism, sport and community facility maintenance. This also gives workers credentials to better prepare them for when the occasion arises that they can apply for a normal job. However, the scheme has been threatened on multiple occasions (namely by the Rudd Labor government), and with a new government, the future of the scheme is once again, uncertain.
It is proposed that the government should continue the "Work for the Dole" scheme