Routledge - Empowerment and Control in Australian Welfare State

This academic text provides a critical analysis of Australian social policy from 1972 to the present day. As part of the Social Welfare Around the World series, the book examines the fundamental tensions between social rights and the social control functions within the modern Australian welfare state. By looking at the history and rhetoric of the system, the author tracks the shift from welfare based on rights to a system defined by conditions. The research utilizes long-standing studies of the Australian Council of Social Service and various welfare advocacy groups to provide a deep look at how policy has changed over decades. A significant portion of the analysis focuses on the Labor Party Government from 1972-75, which is identified as the only clear example of Australia using welfare payments in a positive manner. This book is a valuable resource for students and professionals studying anthropology, sociology, and social policy history in Australia.