John Howard is bleating in the media that certain Coalition election promises aren't welfare.
"The Prime Minister says he wants to build an opportunity society rather than perpetuate a welfare state, but has come under fire handing out money regardless of income.
The prime minister says it is a question of balance.
"I do not regard it as welfare to give people a tax break for having children,'' he said after visiting one school.
"The family tax benefit (part) A is a tax break, it's not welfare.
"It's an insult to the parents of Australia to call something that compensates parents for the cost of having children as welfare."
The prime minister says it is a question of balance.
"I do not regard it as welfare to give people a tax break for having children,'' he said after visiting one school.
"The family tax benefit (part) A is a tax break, it's not welfare.
"It's an insult to the parents of Australia to call something that compensates parents for the cost of having children as welfare."
The Australian yesterday:
Sorry, John. Tax concessions, tax rebates, tax relief (or however you want to say it), along with low-interest emergency loans to business, subsidies, income support, the public hospital system, public education, private medical care rebates, travel concessions, elements of superannuation etc., are all welfare.
Any time government supports the individual, family, business or private institution with cash or other benefit, it is welfare. Welfare is a term denoting a thing which falls within the class of 'for the public good'.
There is nothing insulting about this term.
If you don't believe me, just ask your own economists. While you're at it, you might like to ask them for a definition of middle-class welfare - you have been handing that out for over a decade without a qualm.
No comments:
Post a Comment