A different budget analysis framework
Therefore WETTANK has assessed the main promises and cuts on offer on three criteria that we think need to be balanced. These are fairness based: the first is redistribution to the less powerful, the second is increasing resources equitably and the third whether the funding adds aims for social cohesion or is targeted to populist/media adding to outgroup reinforcement.
For each cut and promise, the following grid shows a mark out of ten for whether it is fair to the less advantaged or increases inequity, creates economic gains for common good or only for the better off, and whether it reinforces ethical social solidarity or is primarily for political spin.
Five is a pass mark and indicates the item does no damage but also does not add social value. Below 5 is a failure and the lower the mark the more likely it is that the results of the cut or spending will damage the social fabric. So any item which scores a total of ess than 15 for suggests a poor outcome for wider communal well being.
Social equity is a core value from both a feminist and social democratic viewpoint for any Government that claims Labor credibility. Human society contains interdependent people in communities that are increasingly mobile and diverse. The recent emphasis on both economic goals and market means of the distribution of resources has pushed the social policies that affect social relating off the political agenda. The emphasis on individual self sufficiency has increased tensions and excluded those who fail market models, The main ‘reforms’ on offer are coercive participation to further ‘improve’ the supply side but not looking at employer prejudices that limit opportunities.
Most socio cultural needs and connections are left off the political and policy agendas. Care responsiblities, interdependency, interpersonal obligations, and unequal opportunities limit life chances for children and adults because of institutional inequities. Individuals who are told it’s their own risks and fault if they fail, may increase GDP by taking any job but at serious social costs. Anxieties, coupled with self interest, moral panics and scapegoats, add to social damage and tensions. Together with gross inequities in tax and welfare, these social stressors undermine social trust, cohesion and capacity to deal with challenges and change.
The result is the many current stalemates on many political and environmental issues which show voters have little trust in government integrity. Therefore this evalution is important for assessing the social benefits and damage of the 2011 budget. Particular measures relating to women are included and starred.
|
Budget item detail |
Social fairness |
Econ. benefits |
Cohesion versus spin factor |
Total |
Comment on item score |
|
*teenage mums |
3 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
Support is more important than punishing those trying to rear kids |
|
Kids disabled extra |
8 |
8 |
8 |
24 |
Good but limited |
|
Payment to POW |
7 |
5 |
8 |
20 |
A bit late! |
|
Advance LITO |
6 |
5 |
5 |
16 |
Timing shift only |
|
deduct vehicle cost |
2 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
No reason and bad for environmental health |
|
Teen FTBA rise |
7 |
5 |
6 |
19 |
Replaces YA , why lower level |
|
Set top boxes for pensioners |
8 |
5 |
5 |
22 |
Dubious value for money and condescending |
|
Teacher bonuses |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
No good according to overseas experience |
|
Appren xtra $1700 |
6 |
7 |
4 |
17 |
More may complete |
|
230,000 LT u/e wfd |
2 |
4 |
3 |
9 |
More stick than carrot |
|
2.2 Mental health |
8 |
6 |
7 |
21 |
Good move but involves cuts in other health services? |
|
Work for dole |
5 |
4 |
1 |
10 |
Plays stereotypes and the job market is an issue |
|
*IM for some areas |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
Doesn’t work |
|
*Xtra earnings sole parents Newstart |
7 |
6 |
5 |
18 |
Restoring an earlier mistake |
|
*Sole Parents 12yr kids to Newstart |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
Cuts wkly income by $57 and more pressure |
|
Cut $ young jobless |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
Line up with new FBTA |
|
8 hr work push for DSP under 35 yrs |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
Help good but not if the pressure is bad |
|
10,000 job subsid long term unempd |
7 |
7 |
7 |
21 |
Too few and too low to cover 230,000 possibles |
And the Cuts:
|
Budget item detail |
Social fairness |
Econ. benefits |
Cohesion spin factor |
Total |
Comment on item score |
|
FBT 4 company cars |
5 |
8 |
5 |
18 |
Cut more |
|
1000 civilian jobs def |
5 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
|
|
Efficiency dividend |
3 |
4 |
3 |
10 |
|
|
Charities’ commerce |
7 |
8 |
7 |
24 |
Good start |
|
Chronic dental disease |
3 |
5 |
4 |
12 |
Leaves gap |
|
Cut youth allow to FBTA |
3 |
4 |
4 |
11 |
Sneaked in |
|
Defer tax discount |
8 |
8 |
4 |
|
Shd cut out |
|
Halving HECS |
7 |
7 |
5 |
19 |
Will upset some |
|
*No index FTB AB |
5 |
5 |
6 |
16 |
Means tighter high inc |
|
*No index sup FTB B |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
Low income loss |
|
* cut women’s program to fund EOWA |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
Bad to cross cut needed funds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|