Abstract
This chapter explores a “stepping stones” approach to Basic Income in the Australian context. It identifies two policy changes that would mark a partial shift away from Australia’s highly means-tested transfer system towards a more universal model of income support.
Specifically, we propose a combination of unwinding means-testing for the age pension and gradually lowering the eligibility age with a Youth Basic Income paid to those aged 20–24 based on a modified negative income tax model.
We argue together these proposals allow for an alternative to the neoliberal politics of population ageing, addressing emerging intergenerational inequalities in Australia’s current dualised model.
Specifically, we propose a combination of unwinding means-testing for the age pension and gradually lowering the eligibility age with a Youth Basic Income paid to those aged 20–24 based on a modified negative income tax model.
We argue together these proposals allow for an alternative to the neoliberal politics of population ageing, addressing emerging intergenerational inequalities in Australia’s current dualised model.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Implementing a basic income in Australia |
Subtitle of host publication | pathways forward |
Editors | Elise Klein, Jennifer Mays, Tim Dunlop |
Place of Publication | Cham, Switzerland |
Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
Chapter | 9 |
Pages | 163-178 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783030143787 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783030143770 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Publication series
Name | Exploring the Basic Income Guarantee |
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Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
Keywords
- Basic Income
- social policy
- inequality
- Universal Basic Income
- intergenerational inequality
- taxation