62 research outputs found
Citizen preference and public education in Australia : an analysis of interstate differences. by Perry Shapiro and Elim Papadakis
No full textIn the centrally financed public education system of Australia, interstate differences in per student educational spending have been interpreted as measures of efficiency
Attitudes to State and Private Welfare: Analysis of Results from a National Survey
No full textThis report presents the major findings of the most detailed investigation of the attitudes of a cross-section of the Australian population and their attitudes to state and private welfare provisions. The survey, which was sponsored by the Social Policy Research Centre, was conducted in 1988-89 and based on a sample of 3507 people covering all States and Territories.
The report addresses many of the issues raised in debates over the past two decades about the future of the welfare state in Australia and overseas. The release of the report is particularly timely since it coincides with arguments between the major political parties over the reform of statutory provision for health care, education and pensions. The Federal Opposition has placed on the agenda the notion of much greater involvement by the private sector and by charitable and voluntary organizations in all these spheres. The apparent justification for these suggestions has been to reduce government spending, to address the problem of an apparent decline in the work ethic among sections of the population, and to challenge the power of interest groups that are associated with the existing government welfare provisions. The Federal Government has been swift to condemn some of these proposals but has also continued to review existing welfare state provisions and arrangements.
This report examines public attitudes relevant to some of these debates. Dr Papadakis has emphasised that the focus on public attitudes can easily be misinterpreted to mean that public opinion shapes public policy. In reality, the picture is more complex. Political parties, the media and interest groups are constantly attempting to shape public opinion about the welfare state, though not necessarily with great success. Dr Papadakis does, however, point out that it is possible to create radically different platforms for reform in social policy by being highly selective in the use of evidence from survey research
Attitudes to state and private welfare, Australia, 1988
No full textIn exploring public attitudes to state and private welfare, this survey attempts to produce data which will provide a basis for: assessing the plausibility of theories about the development of the welfare state; testing a number of hypotheses about the relative influence on social policy of public opinion, policy makers and other factors; and examining the feasibility of social programs in the context of community attitudes and expectations. Topics covered in the survey include: attitudes towards the standard of health care in the public and private hospital systems; health insurance; views in general on health care in Australia; attitudes towards education in both the private and public systems and the need for improvement in facilities; views on the importance of various parts of the school curricula; financial aid to tertiary students. Sections on government and community covered views on government policy and the economy, particularly relating to taxation and welfare; community involvement; trade union membership; voting and political orientation. The questionnaire also asked for information on educational background and qualifications; detailed questions on occupation, income from all sources including pensions and benefits and contributions to superannuation schemes; and perceptions on the standard of living and income levels needed to maintain an adequate standard. Background variables were years of residence; sex; household composition; and religious denomination
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