Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Who do you trust?

By John Tomlinson - posted Thursday, 8 November 2007


For the last 11 years, Howard has run hard on his welfare policy of "mutual obligation". Essentially his argument has been that if unemployed people, single parents and disability support pensioners are provided with a poverty line social security payment then "it’s only fair that they give something back in return". This glib assertion has found support among some sections of the population who object to their tax dollars being spent on people who they see as making insufficient effort to help themselves (The real moral jeopardy of 'Welfare Dependency'). How they believe they are in a position to know the extent of effort people who are unemployed or who have a disability are making to gain employment is beyond me.

It’s time for citizens of this affluent country to come to the realisation that if the concept of "mutual obligation" has any utility in the 21st century then it should mean that those who are gaining the most from the thriving economy have the greatest obligation to contribute to the welfare of those marginalised by the present system. When we do come to this position we might see that:

Advertisement

It's the armless and the harmless
the senseless and the lame
who always pay the social cost
who always get the blame.

It's the snivellers and the chisellers
the swindlers and the vain
ripping off the profits,
and it's always been the same.

When I speak of social justice
you ask "What will it cost us?"
Advance Australia fairly,
Advance Australia squarely,
and let us reach the further shore
in the best way that we can.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

15 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr John Tomlison is a visiting scholar at QUT.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by John Tomlinson

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of John Tomlinson
Article Tools
Comment 15 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy