The coalition has once again shown contempt for the hurt that Work Choices is causing many working people in Australia.

"The policy released today by Mr Hockey is nothing more than a thin veneer of window dressing on the harmful and unfair Work Choices regime," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

In December 2006 the Howard Government rushed into law two pieces of legislation that are having a disastrous effect on many women in our community - Work Choices and Welfare to Work.

Tomorrow, the Australian Greens are holding a forum to look at the impacts of Work Choices and Welfare to Work on women and consider the best way forward for new fairer industrial relations and welfare systems.

"Work Choices and Welfare to Work are leaving many Australian women with no choices," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

The Australian Greens today blasted the Government for their treatment of single mothers.

"The Howard Government's latest announcement of an increase in the Pensioners and Carers Utility Allowance merely highlights their disregard for the single parents in this country (85% of whom are single mothers)," said Senator Rachel Siewert, the Greens spokesperson on community services, today.

"Work Choices and Welfare to Work are leaving many Australian women with no choices", said Senator Rachel Siewert.

Each of these two measures, Work Choices and Welfare to Work, are hurting women. Together they represent a direct attack on a particularly vulnerable group in our community.

"The research is clearly showing that women are losing out under Work Choices through poorer working condition and less pay."

With the release of research today showing that young people caring for family members with a disability are the most depressed group in our society, the Greens have marked Carer's Week with a call for a better deal for young carers.

Senator Rachel Siewert called on Mr Rudd and Mr Howard to give election pledges of how they will provide greater support and respite to young family carers in particular, to help them help their loved ones and still be able to lead fulfilling lives.

From 1 July last year, child-care fee assistance under the Jobs Education and Training program (JET) was cut back to only include courses of study or training of up to 12 months for new participants.

"Through this system, the Government is disadvantaging single parents (most of whom are women) who are trying to get a better education so they can provide a better future for their children," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

Paid parental leave, affordable childcare and measures to balance work and family commitments are the cornerstones of building a brighter and more prosperous future, the Greens said today.

Launching the Greens' Caring for Parents and Kids initiative in Adelaide today, Senator Rachel Siewert said, "Australians are increasingly expressing concern with the impacts that working longer hours are having on the wellbeing of their families."

It is clear that the Government is not interested in providing assistance to people to help them understand the new Workplace laws and wants to cut access to independent advice.

When I cross-examined the Office of the Employment Advocate (now operating under the Workplace Ombudsman and the Workplace Authority) in May 2007 they were unable to justify the funding cuts to CLCs.

The Government has cut funding to community legal centres helping people confused by its red tape of Work Choices.

"It is clear that the Government is not interested in providing assistance to people to help them understand these laws and wants to cut access to independent advice.

When Senator Siewert cross-examined the Office of the Employment Advocate (now operating under the Workplace Ombudsman and the Workplace Authority) in May 2007 they were unable to justify the funding cuts to CLCs.