Arguing in favour of universal paid maternity leave, Eva Cox scrutinises means tests and government payments.

Just as houses need effective architecture and design, so too do Indigenous housing policies, writes Michael Dillon.

Much has been written about the apparent failure of child protection authorities to rescue children from situations of significant abuse or neglect, or to protect the rights of children who are living in substitute care writes Philip Mendes. But the real national scandal is arguably the sudden abandonment of young care leavers when their protective court order ceases between the age of 16-18 years.

Philip Mendes explains why spending on social services has ballooned under a government that believes in letting people fend for themselves. He outlines an alternative vision for welfare reform that would give service recipients more power over their own future

Social mobility requires free and competitive markets, a lightly regulated labour market and active redistribution strategies, according to Fred Argy. Any attempt to remove the barriers to social mobility through active social investment should be preceded by a public education campaign.

Minh Nguyen describes the Howard Government's development of 'mutual obligation' into a national policy brand. Wherever this brand is applied, from the welfare system to foreign aid, it points the finger at the disadvantaged and implies there is something intrinsically wrong with their behaviour, requiring systems of reward and punishment. After ten years the phrase is here to stay, says Nguyen, so it's time for supporters of a fair and responsible Australia to ensure that the obligation in 'mutual obligation' is actually mutual.

When citizens are treated like consumers they become subject to all the risks contained in the old Latin phrase caveat emptor - let the buyer beware, writes Eva Cox.