How to fix poverty? Universal basic income
How to fix poverty? Universal basic income
Michael Lester

How to fix poverty? Universal basic income

A single standard income payment, untaxed and unconditional to every person, will provide income security and the freedom to choose education, work and lifestyle. It would replace existing targeted welfare payments (not programs) and be integrated for administration purposes with the taxation system.  Giving an equal payment to everyone would overcome poverty while boosting participation, skills, productivity and growth.

I discuss this idea for a ‘universal basic income’ (UBI) with Bronwyn Kelly, founder, Australian Community Futures Planning (ACFP), who is modelling and promoting her idea and advocating that citizens take the UBI forward to government for examination by a citizen jury process.

 

Republished from Mix Cloud, August 2024

Michael Lester

Michael Lester is a public policy economist with a career in Commonwealth and State agencies, World Bank and OECD. His interests include innovation, environment, and governance. He presents programs on community radio.