1 January 2022, Guardian Australia, Anne Davies. Access the full article here.


Cabinet papers 2001: government also opposed apology to stolen generations ‘given that the practices were at the time believed to be in the best interests of the children’

The 2001 cabinet papers provide more evidence of how John Howard wanted to use welfare and Indigenous policy to shape national attitudes over coming decades.

Howard began his term as prime minister in 1996 pledging to create an Australia that was “comfortable and relaxed”.

The papers, released by the National Archives on Saturday, show how Howard, inherently a social conservative, concentrated his efforts on policies he believed would appeal to the “battlers”.

The election of the Howard government marked a paradigm shift in welfare policy with the implementation of far reaching reforms around the concept of mutual obligation

– Academics, Shaun Wilson and Nick Turnbull

Employment services survey

The Punishment for Profit report is based on hundreds of responses to surveys conducted by the Antipoverty Centre. This research is ongoing. If you are in Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services or a similar program, we welcome any information you are able to share about your experiences.

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