A majority of Australians (63%) think our society has become more unequal over the last ten years while even more (79%) believe that governments should be doing more to reduce inequality. The new survey data has been released along with a landmark report from Australia21 and The Australia Institute, outlining a path to a more equal future for the country.

The report, entitled ‘A Fair Go for All Australians’, is the result of a roundtable involving 32 experts and politicians including Former Labor Treasurer Wayne Swan and Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

“The roundtable participants repeatedly drew attention to the inadequacy of the current economic model, its dependency on endless growth, its failure to engage with ecological and climate limits, and its assumption that unconstrained markets can respond to the need for the dignity and well-being of the whole population,” said Paul Barratt AO, Chair of Australia21.

“With this report we want to offer real world, practical policy solutions to the major structural difficulties that people in our society are facing.”

Reducing the influence of corporate money in politics, implementing an Australian Charter of Human Rights and changing the way the Federal Cabinet considers legislation are just a few of the reforms proposed in the report.

Ben Oquist, Executive Director of The Australia Institute, said “People understand that economic inequality is getting worse in this country and it is clear that they want the government to do something about it.

“Inequality is a growing problem for all Australians. Our research shows that higher rates of inequality lead to both slower economic growth and a more divided community. This report lays out a blueprint for the change that people want to see take place, when it comes to the government reducing inequality in Australia.”

‘A Fair Go for All Australians’ – Key Proposals for Early Action

• Develop a new Australian Charter of Human Rights, including access to food, shelter, clothing, health and education services
• Create an Office of The Evaluator General, to monitor and measure progress on economic inequality
• Require all cabinet submissions and legislation briefs to include ‘Inequality Impact’ statements
• Propose Uluru declaration to the people via a referendum
• Develop citizens’ juries or assemblies to consider the role of lobbyists and money in politics

The report, including the full list of early action proposals, is available for free download here.

A nationally representative sample of 1,449 Australians were surveyed about inequality for this report in August 2018. The results are available here.