Neoliberalism In Australia Essay

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This essay will examine the influence of neoliberalism on social security policy in Australia. It will discuss the changes that neoliberalism has motivated in terms of social security policy and the welfare state. Further explanation will be given of the meaning and concepts of neoliberalism as well as the definition of the two-tier welfare state. The viewpoint in this essay is influenced by the interpretation and theories of Adam Jamrozik (2009). This essay will refer to policies such as ‘Work for the Dole’, ‘Income Management’, ‘Schoolkids Bonus’, dental-health benefits and other changes made to the welfare criteria that have been influenced by neoliberal ideology. I will use these examples to demonstrate how neoliberalism has impacted upon …show more content…

Neoliberalism focuses on the privatisation of economic factors, thus shifting the control of the economy from state and Government to private (Hartwich,2009). The goal behind privatising businesses is to increase the growth of the economy, therefore removing regulations and obstacles (Smith 2017). Neoliberalism according to Davies (2014) is the ideology and concept that the responsibility should be place with the individual to be responsible for their own actions, welfare and wellbeing. Davies (2014) also expresses that state intervention is not always needed because it is the production, distribution and consumption of goods that support the state to understand the individual’s …show more content…

The welfare system is solely dependent upon the revenue raised from taxes to cover the cost of welfare payments. Although Australia currently has a stable welfare state, neoliberal ideology and concepts have begun to influence a shift towards a post welfare state (Australian Government 2016). For example, recipients who are determined as inadequately able to support themselves or provide for their families entirely may receive support payments subject to means testing. There are many other ways the welfare state can support the recipients; such as providing health care and concession cards, employment services, job training, education and housing and utility support (Australian Government

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