Welfare news: Cancellations pause, DES transition, and Deloitte's GenAI mistake

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 13 October 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy. Presenters Kaitlyn Blythe and Jessica Harrison discuss the latest welfare news, and the unfairness of so-called Australia's welfare system as a whole. Hot off the presses, Breadline covers the news that the government has paused welfare payment cancellations. We've covered the questionable legality of the 'Targeted Compliance Framework' (TCF) before on this show, on Monday 7 July and Monday 11 August (click through to relisten to those episodes). Kaitlyn and Jessica also talk about the government paying private company Deloitte $440,000 to 'review' the TCF, only for Deloitte to use GenAI in their report and not pick up on many AI 'hallucinations'. Deloitte is now being required to partially refund the government. This is what government money is being spent on. Finally, 'mutual obligations' for Disability Employment Services (DES) are being paused beginning this Thursday, paused from16th October 2025 to 5 January 2026. 'Inclusive Employment Australia' is replacing DES from 1 November, which is causing all kinds of confusion. If you use DES, they have a 'transition line' you can call for more information about how this transition might affect you. The number is 1800227337. If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).