One of the most obvious inconsistencies in the budget was the government’s claims for an egalitarian redistribution approach while proposing $60 per week income cut for 100,000 sole parents.
Articles by Eva Cox 
Welfare: does buying votes really work?
Will the Labor brand receive a major boost from this budget? Doubtful, as its main claim is based on its expanded cash grants.
Govt should do its own IM when looking for budget cuts
It is budget week, so how will the new Holy Cow surplus drive the political agenda?
Cox: as gap between rich and poor widens, how well-off are we?
The trouble with economists has always been that they don’t do feelings.
Cox: older workers need some new-age thinking
Why is there discrimination against older workers? Australian management tends to be fairly conservative in its hiring — younger workers are seen as safer.
Abbott’s nanny state could expose kids to lesser levels of care
Tony Abbott’s thought bubble on government funding for nannies may expose children to lesser levels of care as well as assisting more affluent women to exploit many less powerful ones.
Cox: how to continue bad indigenous policy-making
The lack of media scrutiny will allow the federal government to continue and expand a series of paternalistic, ineffective programs that will reduce the well-being of many disadvantaged Australians.
Cox: Labor losing votes by neglecting social policy initiatives
How far should feminists be supporting Julia Gillard as PM because she is a woman and the first one in this job?
Cox: who should get a government subsidy?
There are a series of political issues at present that show the commentariat and electorate are remarkably confused about who should benefit from government payments and concessions.
Cox: 40 years on and the equal pay gaps continue
It will be 40 years in December since the incoming Whitlam government asked the Arbitration Commission to reopen the equal pay case.
Cox: how about asking Tent Embassy why they’re so angry?
Why do so few of the media reporters actually ask the Aboriginal demonstrators why they are so angry with being told to change tactics?
Cox: more to life and Labor policies than just getting a job
How can Labor promote itself as fair if it fails to care for those excluded from the paid workforce?
Cox: more women in cabinet, but social issues slip agenda
My feminist push at present is to put the goal of making society fairer and more civil, and to change the emphasis on economic growth as the only good.
Cox: Stronger Futures demands are un-Australian
How un-Australian is it for the federal government to invite submissions and input from an affected population and then expect them to spend Christmas doing the submission?
Cox: whatever happened to Labor and egalitarianism? The no fair-go
The current government’s various social policy commitments have done little to improve equality for the poorest Australians.
Cox: wheels slowly in motion for equal pay for women
Even if a rise is granted, it will be phased in over six years and not apparently starting until December next year. While this seems reasonable, the slowness again exploits the goodwill of a sector of powerless workers.
Parental leave: revolution it ain’t
As a long term activist I am pleased we have something and the support of both major parties for the concept of paid parental leave. But in the end, some women will gain nothing.
Why I refused to be an Australia Day local ambassador
Who stole the Australia Day long weekend? Once upon a time, not very long ago, it was the ultimate take time out, end of summer holidays three days! The image of Australia Day was beaches and barbies maybe (but not with a national prescribed meat, sponsored by advertisers), symbolising shrugging off summer sloth! And it […]
