Skip to main content

Could a universal basic income work in Australia?

Broadcast 
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Hands put Australian coins into a wallet.
Hands put Australian coins into a wallet in April 2014.(AAP)

The idea of a universal basic income is not a new but the conversation has been reignited by the economic devastation unleashed by coronavirus.

There are many definitions and models – but, at it's simplest – it's an unconditional, regular payment from the state to every adult member of a society.

Some say it could be a better, more innovative way, of helping our most in need.

Jess Strutt finds out how a universal basic income could work in Australia and what are it's pros and cons.

Guests:

Emma Dawson - Executive Director of Per Capita, an independent think tank, dedicated to fighting inequality in Australia

John Quiggin - Professor in Economics at The University of Queensland

Broadcast 
Perth, Business, Economics and Finance, Income Distribution, Money and Monetary Policy
QR code image for downloading the ABC listen app

Join the conversation

Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio