Social service council urges against dole proposal

Crossbench senators are being urged to stand firm and reject the government's proposal to make young people wait six months for the dole.

The Australian Council of Social Service on Friday expressed alarm that the coalition continues to pursue the measure.

CEO Cassandra Goldie urged senators not to support any attempt by the government to reach a deal over the policy and instead dismiss it outright.

"It unnecessarily punishes young people who already face stringent requirements to look for work, and will only lead to greater hardship," she said in a statement.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has said he is open to taking the measure off the table, but only if something else is put on.