Release: Welfare Savings Welcome, But More Must Be Done

The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation’s largest grassroots advocacy group representing taxpayers, today welcomed a projected 10.1% decline in the life cost of welfare due to cost-saving measures, but called on the government to do more to make our welfare system sustainable for those who depend on it in light of an ageing population and an economic growth slowdown.

“Australian taxpayers work hard to support a system that’s intended to help those who need it while providing a safety net should we fall on hard times ourselves.” said Satya Marar, ATA Director of Policy.

“Cost-saving measures aren’t an attack on the welfare system- they are a crucial part of saving it for those who’ll need it. Ongoing challenges like our ageing population, slowing productivity and wages growth, as well as slowing economic growth, highlight the need to make shrewd decisions now before it’s too late.

“While the government’s reforms so far are welcome, they aren’t enough. And it’s our least fortunate who continue to pay the price.

“For example, medicines remain expensive for sufferers of many illnesses. While the pharmaceutical benefits scheme provides relief to some, these costs could be further reduced by charging those who can afford to pay a small fee to see their GP. Universal healthcare doesn’t mean an entitlement to free medical services- it means a system that ensures that everyone has access to care.

“We also agree with Scott Morrison that the best form of welfare is a job. We therefore call on the government to enact badly-needed productivity-boosting structural reforms such as removing regulatory and red tape which constrains businesses and employment, and implementing further tax relief to turbocharge our economy.”