Reimagining Equity and Egalitarianism: The Basic Income Debate in Australia

Authors

Jennifer M. Mays, Queensland University of TechnologyFollow
Gregory Marston, Queensland University of TechnologyFollow

Keywords

Social policy, basic income, egalitarianism, neoliberalism, poverty

Abstract

Reimagining equity and egalitarianism calls for rethinking traditional welfare responses to poverty and economic security in Australia. Similar to other advanced Western democracies, Australia has pursued policies underpinned by neoliberal economics in an effort to curtail perceived excesses in public expenditure over the past three decades. In response to these policy settings, commentators and policy activists have increased their attention to the potential of a universal and unconditional basic income scheme to address economic insecurity. This paper positions basic income within the context of Australia's welfare state arrangements and explores the potential of the scheme to respond to economic insecurity, particularly precarious employment and poverty traps created by a highly targeted social security system.

Recommended Citation

Mays, Jennifer M. and Marston, Gregory (2016) "Reimagining Equity and Egalitarianism: The Basic Income Debate in Australia," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 43: Iss. 3, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4027
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol43/iss3/3