Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
How to increase wages and tackle inequality are live political and economic debates. Many Australians are feeling the cost-of-living squeeze.
Speaking ahead of a conference in Melbourne this week to revisit the landmark Henderson inquiry into poverty, conducted in the 1970s, former deputy prime minister Brian Howe says the targeted nature of Australia’s contemporary social security system goes hand-in-hand with stigmatising welfare recipients.
Howe, a minister in the Hawke and Keating governments, says a universal basic income scheme “topping up” the resources of unemployed and low-income workers would provide them with much-needed confidence and dignity. He is especially concerned about the difficulties and vulnerability of young people trying to get a start in the labour market.
Howe also urges a rethink on housing and home ownership, including more public housing and a combination of public subsidies and private investment for affordable housing and rental schemes.
“Access to housing becomes a major cause of poverty, that’s why Henderson had two poverty lines – one a general poverty line, and then a housing costs poverty line,” he says.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Norton on the Albanese government's interventionist policy to cut foreign student numbers
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Bragg flags a coalition would use 'coercion' of the states to get more new houses built
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Madeleine King on investment incentives and the pivotal role of gas
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Budget fight looms on Future Made in Australia tax breaks
Politics with Michelle Grattan: James Paterson on prospects for passage of the government's deportation bill
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers says we need much more information on male perpetrators of violence against women
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Economist Chris Richardson on recent economic data and whats in store for the upcoming budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Independent MP Dai Le on the church attack in her electorate
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Josh Burns on being a Jewish MP during a terrible conflict
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Leigh on competition - economic and political
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kim Beazley on Kevin Rudd, being an ambassador, and a possible second Trump presidency
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Cyber expert Lesley Seebeck on TikTok’s future in Australia
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Masculinity expert Michael Flood on boys and men behaving badly
Politics with Michelle Grattan: John Blaxland on spies, AUKUS, and an unsettled Washington
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jason Clare on the future of education in Australia
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Antony Green, Kos Samaras and Tim Costello on Dunkley contest
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Assistant minister Malarndirri McCarthy says there's 'no rush' on treaty and truth-telling
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Chris Bowen on fuel efficiency standards and the energy transition
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Angus Taylor on tax and the economy
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers says Australians will be better off next year
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free