This book is a contemporary socio-legal study of Australia’s protection of economic and social rights. Despite Australia’s hortatory language of compliance with international rights standards, its translation of these standards into domestic law and policy has been found wanting. In considering Australia’s compliance across the policy areas of health, housing, labour and social security, it is argued that Australia’s failings can be understood in terms of its institutional framework. This framework provides incomplete legal protection for rights and leaves that protection almost exclusively in the realm of politics and policymaking, an arena still dominated by neoliberalism and a political culture averse to the protection and promotion of economic and social rights.
Russell Solomon's book provides a timely and insightful reminder of the neglect, avoidance and regression that has tended to dominate Australia's treatment of economic and social rights. He reveals the dangers associated with a neoliberal approach to policy making for the realisation of these rights in the absence of any schemes to ensure their constitutional or statutory protection. His focus on the rights to health, housing, work and social security allows him to demonstrate with clarity the differences between welfare or charity based approaches and a genuine human rights based approach. This book, with its clear and accessible style, will be an asset to anyone with a genuine interest in understanding how Australia can better protect economic and social rights. - Prof. John Tobin, Francine V McNiff Chair in International Human Rights Law, Melbourne Law School, Australia This timely book fills a gap by focusing on the implementation and protection of economic and social rights in Australia, particularly in the areas of health, housing, labour and social security. Despite extensive international obligations, these rights are under-protected in Australia, a fact which has been brutally exposed by the Covid-19 crisis. Their protection is confined largely to the political and policy arenas dominated by neoliberal thinking rather than by enforceable laws. - Prof. Sarah Joseph, Griffith University, Australia This book is a contemporary socio-legal study of Australia's protection of economic and social rights. Despite Australia's hortatory language of compliance with international rights standards, its translation of these standards into domestic law and policy has been found wanting. In considering Australia's compliance across the policy areas of health, housing, labour and social security, it is argued that Australia's failings can be understood in terms of its institutional framework. This framework provides incomplete legal protection for rights and leaves that protection almost exclusively in the realm of politics and policymaking, an arena still dominated by neoliberalism and a political culture averse to the protection and promotion of economic and social rights. Russell Solomon teaches law in the Global Urban and Social Studies School at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Russell Solomon’s book provides a timely and insightful reminder of the neglect, avoidance and regression that has tended to dominate Australia’s treatment of economic and social rights. He reveals the dangers associated with a neoliberal approach to policy making for the realisation of these rights in the absence of any schemes to ensure their constitutional or statutory protection. His focus on the rights to health, housing, work and social security allows him to demonstrate with clarity the differences between welfare or charity based approaches and a genuine human rights based approach. This book, with its clear and accessible style, will be an asset to anyone with a genuine interest in understanding how Australia can better protect economic and social rights. - Prof. John Tobin, Francine V McNiff Chair in International Human Rights Law, Melbourne Law School, Australia This timely book fills a gap by focusing on the implementation and protection of economic and social rights in Australia, particularly in the areas of health, housing, labour and social security. Despite extensive international obligations, these rights are under-protected in Australia, a fact which has been brutally exposed by the Covid-19 crisis. Their protection is confined largely to the political and policy arenas dominated by neoliberal thinking rather than by enforceable laws. - Prof. Sarah Joseph, Griffith University, Australia This book is a contemporary socio-legal study of Australia’s protection of economic and social rights. Despite Australia’s hortatory language of compliance with international rights standards, its translation of these standards into domestic law and policy has been found wanting. In considering Australia’s compliance across the policy areas of health, housing, labour and social security, it is argued that Australia’s failings can be understood in terms of its institutional framework. This framework provides incomplete legal protection for rights and leaves that protection almost exclusively in the realm of politics and policymaking, an arena still dominated by neoliberalism and a political culture averse to the protection and promotion of economic and social rights. Russell Solomon teaches law in the Global Urban and Social Studies School at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
History of Australia's relations with Asia from the 1970s to the present, a companion volume to the first 'Facing North' which chronicled Asian-Australian relations from Federation to the 1970s. Discusses issues of integration over the past four decades as Australia turned to Asia for greater political, social and economic opportunities. Topics covered include regional economic co-operation, human rights diplomacy, Indochina, East Timor, social and cultural engagement and immigration and multiculturalism. Includes photos, notes, bibliography, index and appendices of lists of prime ministers, ministers and secretaries of foreign affairs and trade, overseas Asian representation in Australia, immigration statistics, refugee statistics, AusAID tables, trade statistics and APEC and ASEAN meetings. Foreword by Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer. Edwards is the official historian and general editor of the 'Official History of Australia's Involvement in Southeast Asian conflicts 1948-75'. Goldsworthy is an honorary professorial fellow in the School of Political and Social Inquiry at Monash University.
The provision of social services in Australia has changed dramatically in recent decades, raising a range of important questions about financial and democratic accountability: 'who benefits', 'who suffers' and 'who decides'. This book explores these developments through rich case studies of a diverse set of social policy domains. The case studies demonstrate a range of effects of marketisation, including the impact on the experience of consumer engagement with social service systems, on the distribution of social advantage and disadvantage, and on the democratic steering of social policy.
Australia's reputation as a successful large scale immigrant-receiving nation is well formed. In the latest wave, not only have millions of diverse people arrived in the post-war period from 1945 to a growing, high income, good employment economy; but the society absorbing them has remained stable and cohesive. This is not to say that it has been entirely plain sailing - sensitive debate, isolated interethnic violence, and the degree of migrant ghettoisation have been prominent, though varying in intensity over time. But overall, the planned program of immigration and settlement by Australia's governments over the years has been successful. This volume examines key elements of the means by which social cohesion can be constructively sought in Australia. With contributions from some of Australia's leading experts in this field, this book addresses the key concern: what are the threats to Australia's social cohesion and how can they be countered?
Second edition of a book and originally published in 1993, which deals with the concept of social justice. Outlines and analyses the historical development of the concept of social justice; applies the concept of social justice to the Australian situation with particular reference to the achievements, the policies and practices of the Federal Labor Government in the last decade; suggests ways in which action by government and individuals can be directed towards a more just social structure. Includes an index and bibliography. The author is the member for Calwell in the House of Representatives and parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister for Human Services and Health.
One of the ways through which human rights can be protected is through international human rights treaties. This article addresses the implications of ratifying such treaties by examining the ratification of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and Australia's compliance with this convention. Rather than introducing the rights in the ICESCR into law Australia has adopted an indirect method of protecting rights. This paper will analyse the effectiveness of this approach and argue that Australia's approach is not achieving substantive equality and is weakening economic, social and cultural rights. The paper will argue that legally enforceable rights are a powerful force in the protection of human rights.
