A socially just, democratic and sustainable society requires the provision of an adequate income and essential services for all its citizens.
Principles
The Australian Greens believe that:
- A socially just, democratic and sustainable society rests on the provision of a guaranteed adequate income for all its citizens.
- Everyone has the right to access adequate resources to allow them to fully participate in society.
- Australian citizens should be able to access leading housing, health, education and social services and support to meet their needs.
- Growing wealth and income inequality is one of the greatest challenges that is faced by Australia and must be addressed.
- The Australian community and social services sector plays a significant role in creating inclusive communities and should be well resourced to deliver evidence-based social services.
Aims
The Australian Greens want:
- The eradication of poverty in Australia.
- The development and adoption of a comprehensive set of tools to measure poverty across the range of communities in Australia.
- A shift in community and government attitudes, to recognise the systemic causes of poverty and social services dependence, that removes the blame from those accessing support.
- Reform of the income support system to ensure a guaranteed adequate income for all, including simplification of pensions and allowances into a universal guaranteed adequate income (GAI) scheme.
- Budget process to include analysis of the budget’s effect on income and wealth inequality in Australia.
- The equitable provision of services, at local government, state and federal levels, with particular attention to housing, health, education and social services.
- Adequate and secure funding for not-for-profit community service and advocacy organisations.
- The ongoing development of innovative and contemporary work creation opportunities with matched job access and training opportunities.
- The establishment and resourcing of independent evaluation of social and wellbeing outcomes.
- The adoption of outcomes-based reporting on community services, to ensure effective programs and service delivery.
- Reforms to ensure that there is universal access to essential social services.
[Policy endorsed: May 2018]