By Denis Hay
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia stands at a crossroads, facing the choice between prioritizing corporate profits or the well-being of its citizens. The current political landscape, characterized by tax benefits for the affluent, fossil fuel subsidies, and substantial military investments, starkly contrasts with the pressing needs of many Australians living below the poverty line and lacking access to essential services like public housing, comprehensive healthcare, and quality education.
The question arises: How can the government justify substantial expenditures on tax cuts, military hardware, and fossil fuel subsidies, yet fall short in addressing fundamental social welfare needs? This discrepancy highlights a critical need for a change in thinking in our national priorities.
The recent electoral shift away from the Liberal National Party (LNP) reflects a public mandate for change, advocating for a progressive agenda that focuses on uplifting individuals rather than corporations. This approach encompasses several key areas:
- Elevating Government Support Payments: Over three million Australians live in poverty. Elevating government support payments above the poverty line is not just a moral imperative but an economic one. Research shows that such measures can significantly reduce poverty rates, enhance health outcomes, and stimulate economic growth.
- Addressing the Housing Crisis: With rising homelessness and unaffordable housing, investing in public housing becomes crucial. By reallocating funds from fossil fuel subsidies and military spending, we can develop sustainable, accessible housing, thereby improving mental health outcomes and generating employment opportunities.
- Expanding Healthcare Access: The limitations of Australia’s current healthcare system are clear, with many unable to afford necessary care. Expanding Medicare to include dental and mental health services is a step towards universal healthcare, ensuring that all Australians have access to the care they need.
- Promoting Free Education and Childcare: The challenges in accessing quality education and childcare affect many Australian families. Implementing free education and childcare services is essential for nurturing the potential of every child and alleviating financial burdens on families.
Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize the federal government’s unique monetary capabilities as a sovereign currency issuer. This perspective, aligned with Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), suggests that the government can finance initiatives like raising government support payments without being solely reliant on tax revenues. The primary constraint here is inflation, which can be managed by aligning spending with the economy’s productive capacity.
It is time for a progressive approach that invests in people, not corporations. By prioritizing the well-being of our citizens, we can work towards a fairer and prosperous Australia.
Question for Readers: How do you think the Australian government can better balance economic growth with social welfare?
Call to Action: Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how we can build a fairer Australia. Your voice matters in shaping our nation’s future.
References
Mutually Reinforcing Cycles of Public Service Delivery and Poverty Reduction Programs, ResearchGate.
Determinants of Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure, A Systemic Review, Monash University.
Causes of poverty and inequality in Australia, ACOSS/UNSW.
Reducing poverty and inequality in Australia is possible, report says, UNSW.
IMF expects Australia’s economy to slow amid ‘perilous’ international pressures, The Guardian.
Cost of living pressures sees social cohesion hit record low, Australian National University.
The Reserve Bank can never go broke, The Australian Financial Review.
Investment Perspective: Modern Monetary Theory, and why you’re about to hear a lot more about it, Quay Global.
Creating Money Out of Thin Air:
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Denis Hay: At 82 years young, I stand as a testament to the enduring power of dedication and belief in social justice. My journey has been shaped by a deep conviction that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and that equal opportunities for thriving should be a universal right.
My beliefs are not just ideals; they are the driving force behind my active engagement in advocating for change. I am deeply concerned about the pressing issue of climate change, recognizing its urgency and the need for immediate, collective action. This is not just a matter of policy for me, but a moral imperative to safeguard our planet for the generations to come.
As an administrator of several Facebook pages, I use my platform to challenge the prevailing neoliberal ideology, which I see as a destructive force against our society and environment. My goal is to foster a political system that truly serves the people, ensuring access to essential needs like decent housing, secure and well-paid jobs, education, and healthcare for all.
In this chapter of my life, my mission is clear: to leave behind a world that is better and more just for my grandchildren and future generations. It is a commitment that guides my every action, a legacy of compassion and advocacy that I hope will inspire others to join the cause.
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A rather timely article Denis, however it’s much more than expanding the thinking of any Government employee, Minister, Senators, executive managers and party affiliations, it basically gets back to the public in general becomig engaged in the entire process of Government, not just cherry picking the policies from election cycle to election cycle because it suits them for the short term.
There needs to be a broader understanding of how policies and their ‘legacy’ implications are crafted in the first instance, which means the structure of the economy as a whole and that is something that most people do not understand, especially if they are consumers of MSM.
I have no agenda against anyone who has the capacity to generate and create wealth from their own efforts, and frankly they are nuts if they do not take effective action to ensure that their efforts serve them for the longer term, its the phenomenon of widening inequality which is due to the vicious cycles of ‘pre-distribution’ and redistribution of income wealth that are the bane of everyone’s life.
Who or what has the most influence? Legislators, judges, justices, executives or administrators, state law makers, all make decisions about the structure of the ‘market’. Who has influence over them? Who are these actors? Why are they making certain decisions and not others?
We are just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg as far as that is concerned and it’s way past time to wake up.
You’re bang on the money, Denis.
You are right heather, denis has had his time and the world is as he, and we other war and after children, have made it.
He and we have no right to lead any change and should have the guts to follow the young.