This book explores the legal meaning of the radical new laws which have transformed the social security system in Australia in the last decade. It analyses legislation and case law. It lays out the legal principles and concepts that underpin the sweeping reforms, culminating in the "welfare reform" package announced in the federal government's 2005 budget. It also explores the policy foundations of these reforms and the key administrative changes, such as the creation of a privatised "job network" and the shift to make Centrelink a "payment agency."

This book also explores the tension between traditional "protective" functions of social security and the contemporary focus on "activation," reciprocity, and "capacity-building," and the extent to which social changes have altered the form of Australian welfare. It reviews the history and transformation of the welfare state, the ideas about the nature of poverty and need, and the policy choices to be made.

Detailed case studies examine the law and policy affecting key groups such as the unemployed, people with illness or disability, and sole parents, as well as the administration and review rights of welfare recipients and the workings of income and means tests.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Table of Cases
Table of Legislation

CHAPTER 1: Fundmental issues in social security
CHAPTER 2: The history and values of Australian social security
CHAPTER 3: The definition and scale of poverty
CHAPTER 4: Meeting poverty: some Policy choices
CHAPTER 5: Citizenship of third way?
CHAPTER 6: Equity and need: means testing
CHAPTER 7: Towards neoliberalism: income support for the unemployed
CHAPTER 8: Income support for disability
CHAPTER 9: Income support for sole parent families
CHAPTER 10: Whither law and the (neoliberal?) welfare state

Bibliography
Index

"There can be no doubting the dramatic changes to the Australian social and economic environment since the Howard government came to power in 1996 and the extent of the upheaval of Australian social welfare policy and law that has ensued....

Carney’s study is free of polemics and rhetorical passion, presenting instead a thorough and remarkably neutral account of changes and the political and social views of those who engendered it and those who opposed it. Interwoven with factual description and analysis is a thoughtful introduction to the theoretical literature which seeks to record and explain the changes in Australia and abroad."

-- Richard Krever, Law Society Journal (NSW), Vol 44/6, July 2006, 74