The Australian argues that welfare programs should be confined to the neediest in order to achieve budget repair.
According to a Newspoll published in the Australian, an overwhelming majority of Australians want the government to cut spending, rather than increase taxes to achieve budget repair.
The Australian indicates that social security and welfare programs should be confined to the neediest in an attempt to restrain government spending.
The paper says the Newspoll reveals a troubling disconnect. The majority in favour of spending cuts goes on to disavow any restraint in welfare spending: 61 per cent say budget savings should not include cuts to welfare payments.
It also points out that social security and welfare is the single largest item of commonwealth spending followed by health. What is more, spending on social security and welfare is forecast to grow faster than gross domestic product and commonwealth net debt is heading for $317.2 billion by June.
The paper believes that the National Disability Insurance Scheme should be fully funded as it is vital for people with the most serious disabilities, therefore savings must be found elsewhere: the social security and welfare category.
The Australian places an emphasis on welfare reform, saying that a vote for budget repair has to be converted into a vote for welfare reform.
