The Australian Greens have warned the Rudd Government that the signing of a Compact with the Community Sector risks being seen as an empty gesture.

"Signing this important statement of principle as they make fundamental changes to Australia's social security system is not a good look for the Rudd Government," said Greens Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"With legislation introducing national income management measures being debated in the Senate shortly, the first question on everyone's lips will be - is the promise to consult with the community services sector going to be just as superficial and meaningless as the promises to consult with Aboriginal communities?

"These laws, which are likely to be passed in the Senate this week, potentially apply to disadvantaged communities across Australia - but there has been no consultation whatsoever with the community sector on their effectiveness or design.

"Widespread and consistent condemnation of the government's indiscriminate approach to mandatory income quarantining by social service providers and community organisations in evidence to the recent Senate Inquiry was completely ignored.

"How these two contradictory processes can be happening at the same time in parallel beggars belief," Senator Siewert said.

"While the proposed Compact commits the Government to adhere to some important general principles of consultation and engagement, it is light on detail and process, and doesn't firmly lock the government into behaving any better in the future.

"It would be nice to think the signing of the compact today might mean such major sweeping changes could not be introduced without consultation or evidence - but frankly, I won't be holding my breath," concluded Senator Siewert.

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