Labor questions 'work for dole' policy

Federal opposition frontbencher Ed Husic has taken aim at the federal government's 'work for the dole' policy, saying it punishes people for not being in work.

Mr Husic, Labor's spokesman for employment services and workforce participation, said there are serious questions about the performance of the $600 million program, in particular whether it is safe or not.

"We need to ensure that we get young Australians working, not putting them through a program that clearly has either got an issue with its safety or an issue ultimately as to whether or not it's putting people into work, skilling them up, getting them ready for jobs," Mr Husic told ABC television on Sunday.