In this episode David Kelly and ACFP’s Founder Bronwyn Kelly talk in depth about the proposal in Australia Together for a National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing.
What is the proposal in Australia Together for a National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing?
The concept of a National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing is quite straightforward. It’s simply a statement about the principles that the people of Australia and their parliaments and governments all agree should be adhered to when governments and parliaments are making budgetary and economic decisions for the nation. It’s a statement of the principles that should guide decisions on how we raise, share and spend national wealth, and particularly – since it’s public money we’re talking about here – it’s about how we might share the national wealth we all work hard to raise for the primary purpose of our welfare and wellbeing.
Bronwyn Kelly
Read all about the proposal in Australia Together for the National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing.
Why do we need this Accord?
Today in Australia governments are free to make decisions that are not in the interests of Australians because we have no agreement with them that sets out decent and fair principles for decision making. This has led to steep growth in poverty and inequality in our country in the 21st century.
If Australians want to reverse that, and if they want security of income and services, they will need to make an Accord with parliaments and governments that sets out the principles for decision making.
Possible principles in a National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing
Australians can make a new social contract with their governments if they design principles for fairly raising, spending and sharing national wealth. Options for the Accord could include a commitment to protect and promote the economic and social wellbeing of all citizens by adherence to principles of:
equality of opportunity,
fair sharing of the burden of raising national wealth,
fair and more equitable distribution of national wealth,
public responsibility by Australia as a community for those unable to avail themselves of the minimum provisions for a dignified life,
as well as commitments by all to:
observe the economic, social and cultural rights that are available to Australians under international law at the moment but that are not yet available to us in our domestic law in Australia, and
a principle that in all federal budgetary, financial and economic decisions parliaments and governments are to engage with the Australian community as partners in building long term plans for the nation and its finances. This is a principle to get Australians involved in designing long term financial plans for their country.
Find out more about how any Australian can become involved in long term financial planning for the nation.
Find out more about the principles that could be included in the Accord to guide governments on fair and just decision making on budgets and the economy.
Where are the strategies in Australia Together for the National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing?
In Issue No. 8 of Australia Together the Accord is proposed under map reference numbers:
Econ04.02 - National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing – Establishment of a National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing.
Econ04.02.01 - National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing – Revocation of policies restricting government sector participation in Australia’s economy.
Econ04.02.02 - National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing – Community engagement on and justification of national budget priorities – participatory budgeting.
Econ04.02.03 - National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing - Community Australia Bank.
Econ04.02.04 - National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing - Community engagement on introduction of a universal basic income.
Econ04.03.01 - Fair & progressive taxation - Transformation of Australia’s taxation system consistent with transition to universal income security and universal services security under a National Accord on Wealth, Welfare and Wellbeing.
Econ02.04 - National plan for full employment supported by a universal basic income.
Econ02.05 - National Economic Transitions Commission.
Read all about a related strategy for a universal basic income for all Australians.
Want to know more about Australia Together?
Australia Together is the nation’s first community designed and driven long term, integrated plan for a better future. It’s designed to help Australians make the best future we can imagine in the 2020s a reality by 2050 or sooner.
Browse the latest Issue of Australia Together - Issue No. 8 - here.
Want to become involved in Australia Together?
Become involved in the process of building Australia Together, the nation’s first long term, integrated plan for a better future.
Comment and provide suggestions about Australia Together here and here.
Up next on the Australia Together Podcast:
A Universal Basic Income for all: David and Bronwyn Kelly talk about the role that a community engagement program on introduction of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) for all Australians could play in reversing the growth in inequality and poverty.
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