Today
Labor’s path to joining the worst welfare states
Jim Chalmers’ economic reform roundtable must confront Australia’s entitlement mindset – which governments have fostered.
More than 50pc of voters now rely on government for their main income
A “culture of dependency” has lifted spending to its highest level since World War II, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme is the chief culprit.
This Month
Labor may wipe $1.1b in welfare debt after landmark ruling
A court win gives the government the green light to recalculate billions in unlawful debts, but the spectre of Robodebt may push Labor to forgive them instead.
June
Welfare for life: How a broken system is driving higher autism rates
It is a national tragedy that more than one in 18 Australian boys aged between five and nine are now diagnosed and tens of thousands are on the NDIS.
May
I’m on the NDIS. Here’s what Labor must do to fix it
The National Disability Insurance Scheme’s future hinges on the government’s willingness to listen, reform equitably and invest in all disabled Australians.
April
Labor and Coalition urged to fess up on deeming rate plans
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has left open the prospect that 900,000 welfare recipients could have their payments lowered soon after the federal election.
March
How this typical family will be affected (including housing worries)
Tori and Ryan Spettigue hoped for help with childcare, and they got it. Sort of. They still worry their kids won’t be able to afford to live anywhere near them when they grow up.
Dutton rekindles threat to forcibly break-up insurers
The opposition leader has moved to clear up internal confusion, if not division.
Europe’s welfare state is over
Europe must never again find itself in a position where the likes of US vice-president JD Vance have life-and-death power over it.
February
Anti-corruption commission backflips on robo-debt probe
A review by former High Court justice Geoffrey Nettle says investigations should take place into six people referred over the illegal welfare debt scheme.
July 2024
Middle Australia is indeed the lucky country
A suite of new data sources has enabled the Productivity Commission to revise its measure of economic mobility. The result surprised everyone.
November 2023
Centrelink, Medicare wait time blowout sparks 3000 new hires
Services Australia’s budget will get a $228 million boost to meet a sharp spike in welfare and health claims and delays dealing with them.
September 2023
Labor jobs plan ‘undone’ by IR laws, business claims
The business community says the government’s long-awaited employment white paper will be overwhelmed by the impact of its industrial relations changes.
Chalmers details plan to get pensioners, welfare recipients back to work
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ white paper on employment will reduce the disincentives that discourage welfare recipients from taking up employment.
Chalmers stands firm on wealthy super tax rise
Jim Chalmers has rebuffed Greens’ demands for an expansion of the taxpayer-funded paid parental leave scheme.
July 2023
How a spreadsheet error spawned the $4.7b robo-debt monster
An analysis created by junior officials looked at just 418 welfare cases and contained a fundamental error. Their bosses seized on it anyway.
Morrison digs in on robo-debt as resignation calls grow
Scott Morrison is contemplating a speech to parliament as he rejects suggestions that he resign because of the robo-debt royal commission findings.
Learning the lesson after welfare crackdown went rogue
Australians will rely heavily on technology and automated systems for government service delivery in future. That cannot end in the digital dystopia of robo-debt again.
Booming tax take now exceeds 24pc of GDP
Economist Chris Richardson estimated the tax-to-GDP ratio for the financial year was hovering about 24.2 per cent, which is the first time it exceeded 24 per cent since 2007-08.
May 2023
‘Welfare to work’ rules become sticking point in US debt ceiling fight
Republicans insist on tougher requirements, but progressive Democrats say they will reject any attempt to compromise.