One of the ways in which neoliberal dogma altered the relationship between government and the citizens in Australia was in the way employment services were delivered. Before this dogma gained traction, the Australian government operated the – Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) – which was created in 1946 as part of the grand plan to sustain full employment and improve the material standards of living after the travails of the Great Depression and then World War 2. It was created by the – Re-establishment and Employment Act 1945 – which was “designed to help members of the forces transition back to civilian life by providing for their re-establishment in employment and civil life”. The CES was an integral aspect of this process and provided job matching services, occupational planning, vocational training and support, income support payments, and career guidance. It was a very effective service that operated over many decades after its introduction. There were spin-off services to help those with disabilities (particularly chronically injured service men and women). As neoliberalism took hold in Australia, the narrative shifted towards blaming the unemployed for their plight rather than understanding that the unemployment was due to a systemic lack of jobs being created because aggregate spending was insufficient. Parts of its operation were hived off to (grasping) private operators and eventually the whole operation was privatised in 1998. It has been downhill ever since and the problems arising from this decision by government continue to serve as a blight on the civility and decency of Australian society. The latest news, which I canvas in today’s post is just more of the same.