The starting point for the RepresentUs - Australia Movement's welfare and social housing policy is that all people have their own inviolable value. We also affirm that all people deserve to be respected and have the right to meet their full potential, (regardless of their circumstances), which means all Australian citizens have the right to; timely, accessible, equitable and impartial justice, to feel safe, shelter, adequate nutritious food, clear water and air, health and dental care and education. And none of these rights should be informed by their gender, preferences, age or any other characteristics or circumstances.
All Australians also have the right to work and make a reasonable living, (and if they cannot work for whatever reason) the right to a Dignified Basic Income.
All Australians also have the right to retire and to die with dignity.
All Australians also have the right to all information on the policies, regulations and governance processes that impact them. They should also be able to expect to contribute to the betterment of society and to live their life the way they choose. And more fundamentally, to democratically - and fairly elected representatation - at local, state & territory and Common Wealth levels of our government.
We affirm, that along with the Australian Statute of Liberty that these principles inform the RepresentUs - Australia - Movements welfare and social housing policy. We also affirm that our Common Wealth government is responsible for and accountable for inititating these rights.
In this context the RepresentUs - Australia - Movements welfare and social housing policy is that:
All Australian citizens and permanent residents will be entitled to a full-time Guaranteed Job that is underwritten by our Common Wealth government if they are unable to gain full-time employment in the private sector
All Australian citizens and permanent residents will be entitled to a Dignified Basic Income when needed
All recipients of the Dignified Basic Income will also receive a 75% subsidy for all utility costs for their home, which will include the cost of connecting and maintaining a connection to the NBN
Any Australian citizen who receives any form of welfare will be entitled to free public transport
All Australian citizens on social welfare will be entitled to free health and dental care and the cost of any medications
All Australian citizens on social welfare will be entitled to free education or training if they are unable to work for whatever reason
All Australian citizens who are in receipt of the Dignified Basic Income will receive a free computer if they do not already own one
The Dignified Basic Income will be provided to all Australian citizens and permanent residents regardless of their age, ethnic background or other characteristics
All Australians receiving the Dignified Basic Income will receive support in developing skills to live a dignified life
No Australian citizen on social welfare will be compelled to do some form of unpaid labour unless it is a component of a learning or vocational education initiative
Social Housing
The RepresentUs - Australia - Movement rejects the notion that it is acceptable that any Australian lives in abject poverty or or in a perpetual state of disempowerment due to insecure or unaffordable housing. To reduce inequality, poverty and inter-generational poverty our social housing policy is that:
All citizens and permanent residents will be provided with housing and adequate nutritious food if they are unable to afford and secure these for themselves
All Australian citizens will have the opportunity to apply for - and receive - a zero interest home loan for themselves and / or their family, which will be set at 25% of their weekly income, (wherever that income is derived from), for twenty five years
All Australian citizens who are in receipt of this twenty five year zero interest home loan will have the option of continuing it, on the same terms and conditions for a second twenty five year period, to reduce and effectively respond to inter-generational poverty
All Australian citizens who are entitled to social housing will also be entitled to contribute sweat equity to the building of their home to reduce the overall cost of their home (either on a part-time or full-time basis) depending on their individual circumstances