LIBERAL stalwart Hugh Morgan has joined the growing chorus of conservative criticism over the dole, declaring that surviving on $245 a week must be ''a humbling if not traumatic experience''.

The former Business Council of Australia president and one-time Western Mining Corp chief executive has added his voice to an unlikely band of conservatives speaking out about the inadequacy of the safety net.

Hugh Morgan believes the dole payment is inadequate. Credit:James Davies

But Mr Morgan warned any move to consider raising the dole must be done in conjunction with cutting the costs of employment, arguing that greater wage flexibility would help more jobless people into work.

He said it was ''a given'' that most people would find it ''a humbling if not traumatic'' experience to try to survive on the dole.