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What About Young People? Why a Basic Income for Young People Matters

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Implementing a Basic Income in Australia

Part of the book series: Exploring the Basic Income Guarantee ((BIG))

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Abstract

A basic income (BI) has been discussed and debated for decades. However, very few of these discussions have considered the specific concerns impacting the implementation of a BI for young people. This chapter suggests that the problematising societal constructions of young people will inhibit considerations of an equitable BI being paid to young people16 years and older. This chapter will analyse the discourses and policies which reflect and enable these constructions of young people. It argues that young people are both responsible citizens and rights holders and that a BI paid at the rate equivalent to adults will better enable young people to enact those responsibilities.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Although many states have no restrictions on the legal age to begin work, most states have work restrictions for young people below 15 years of age. Young people can receive a Centrelink payment at 16. Most states have compulsory school attendance up to age 16 (or upon completion of year 10).

  2. 2.

    ‘Through “othering” dominant groups in society maintain their dominance by assuming that their own features, characteristics and circumstances are the yardstick by which all others should be judged’ (Couch & Cooper, 2016, p. 257). The practice of ‘othering’ is the exclusion of people who do not fit the dominant social norms.

  3. 3.

    Youth Allowance is Government financial assistance paid to people 24 and under who are students, and 21 and under who are looking for work. The Adult equivalent is called Newstart. Allowance There are strict eligibility requirements for receiving Youth Allowance and recipients must be actively seeking work or in full-time study.

  4. 4.

    See also recently revealed reports that former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott planned to cut unemployment benefits for people under 30 in the 2014 Budget (McGhee & McKinnon, 2018).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Jenny Kaighin

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  1. Jenny Kaighin
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Correspondence to Jenny Kaighin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. John Medley Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Elise Klein

  2. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Jennifer Mays

  3. University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Tim Dunlop

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Kaighin, J. (2019). What About Young People? Why a Basic Income for Young People Matters. In: Klein, E., Mays, J., Dunlop, T. (eds) Implementing a Basic Income in Australia. Exploring the Basic Income Guarantee. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14378-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14378-7_10

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

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