Why reform welfare?
Peter Saunders
Director of Social Policy Research, Centre for Independent Studies
Contact Email:   psaunderscis.org.au

The Australian debate surrounding welfare reform is highly charged, and it is unrealistic to expect consensus. Nevertheless, it is possible to go beyond ideological trench warfare by identifying some basic principles about the extent and operation of welfare which most Australians would regard as fair and appropriate.

Drawing on newly-commissioned public opinion survey data, this paper identifies some simple principles which might command widespread public support. It then applies these principles to evaluate the existing welfare system and various proposals for its reform or replacement.

Among the issues considered are the appropriateness of enforced work or ‘participation’ requirements for different categories of claimants; the case for time-limited benefits; the need for government to provide ‘jobs of last resort’ when entitlement is exhausted; the relevance of training and other ‘active labour market’ interventions; the controversy over breaching penalties; tax-based proposals for enhancing work incentives; the problem of policing the escalating number of disability claims; means-testing and the problem of ‘middle class welfare’; and the potential for asset-based welfare and the extension of compulsory saving schemes to complement or even replace existing state provisions in areas such as unemployment, sickness and health insurance.

Paper Download Information (if available):

Paper82.pdf

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