The Australian Council of Social Service released a set of 12 Budget proposals that would help the Federal Government out of a 'policy quagmire' that is entrenching joblessness in the Australian community and is directly affecting over 390,000 long-term unemployed people. ACOSS estimates there are more than 1.3 million unemployed or underemployed Australians - more than twice the official figure. New approaches are necessary if the Government is to more effectively deal with unemployment and the hardship it is causing.