Instead of the poverty-level minimum wage, and below poverty-level pension and welfare payments, a decent annual living wage, covering all needs, must be guaranteed to everyone as a basic right. This must be paid not only to all workers, but to all those who, due to disability, old age, illness or care responsibilities, are unable to work.
First-class health care, including access to the latest medical technologies and treatments, must be guaranteed to all, without fees or caps on treatment. This must cover all health requirements, from birth to death, including hospital, dental, psychiatric, rehabilitation, aged care, and the needs of the disabled.
Billions of dollars must be poured into education to ensure free, well-staffed, quality public education, including child care and kindergartens, is available to all children and young people, regardless of where they live, or the socio-economic status of their parents. This must incorporate the most advanced educational theories and technologies. All students, including overseas students, must have the right to access free tertiary education, along with the full range of cultural, intellectual, recreational and sporting activities that are critical to campus life.
Young workers must be guaranteed well paid, full-time employment, with reduced hours on full pay for those under 21 to allow them to fully participate in recreational and cultural activities. There must be a vast expansion in apprenticeships and technical training. All tertiary students should automatically receive a living wage. Student fees must be abolished, including for overseas students, and loan debts cancelled.
