Part 3/11:
Further compounding the concerns is the changing nature of Australian employment. Over 80% of jobs created in the past two years are rooted in what is termed the "non-market centre," meaning they substantially depend on government funding and subsidies. This trend suggests Australia is shifting away from a traditional workforce driven by private enterprise to a "taxpayer-funded lolly scramble"—a society increasingly dependent on public largesse.
Former New South Wales Treasurer Michael Costa discussed these developments, highlighting that the underlying problem isn't just the growing welfare payments but the decreasing productivity of the economy. A key issue is Australia's aging population; with fewer working-age individuals supporting more retirees, the tax base is under immense pressure.