Group within Labor Left are pushing for a ‘universal basic income’ which is not means-tested

EXCLUSIVE, Jason Tin, The Daily Telegraph

March 6, 2017 11:00pm

A group within NSW Labor’s Left faction is pushing for a universal basic income — a radical proposal that would pay every citizen an “unconditional” income that is not means-tested.
A motion proposing calling for the idea to be seriously investigated has been making its way through local branches and it is understood a small number have so far passed it.
The Left faction’s economic committee has been primarily pushing the set of motions, which slams the “current inadequate social welfare system” and calls for the new income measure — which would not be “activity-tested” — to replace it.


Luke Whitington, second from left, is one of the main champions of an “unconditional income”. Picture: Alan Place.

But proponents are less clear about how it would be funded, with “progressively levied taxation and other progressively raised government revenue” cited as possibilities.
Among the proposal’s main champions is Luke Whitington, the deputy chair of the Left’s economic policy committee who is also an adviser to Senator Doug Cameron.
One motion states: “A universal basic income would not need to replace all targeted social security payments, such as disability support, but any such payments would be in addition to a universal basic income.”
“A universal basic income would be non-withdrawable and unconditional, and would not be means-tested or activity-tested,” it continues.
The idea is a contentious one that has tended to divide opinion across the political spectrum. While it is often advocated by those on the left of the divide, it has also found support among some conservative figures who view it as a way to simplify complicated welfare systems.
Detractors argue a universal basic income would have disastrous economic consequences.
Finland is currently trialling the concept while Labour in the UK has been discussing the issue.
Recently, tech billionaire Elon Musk said he thought there was a “pretty good chance” a universal basic income would eventually be implemented, given the rise of automation.


Tech billionaire, Elon Musk believes there’s a good chance a universal basic income would eventually happen. Picture: AP/Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

The motion being pushed by advocates of the scheme within Labor Left describes means-testing as “complex and intrusive”.
“[The party unit] believes that a universal basic income, an unconditional, non-withdrawable income paid to everyone, has the potential to offer genuine social security to all while boosting economic growth and productivity,” the motion states.
“[The party unit] notes the exploration of the concept of a universal basic income by sister parties around the world including UK and NZ Labour, and welcomes the many planned practical experiments being conducted on UBI, such as those in Canada, Netherlands, Finland, India, Scotland, Kenya and the USA.”
Comment has been sought from Opposition Leader Luke Foley, who hails from the Left faction. Mr Whitington declined to comment.