Diary of Social Legislation and Policy 1990

Abstract

This Diary summarises the legislative and administrative changes made in the social policy field by the Commonwealth government during 1990. It provides a ready reference for research workers, and can also be used as a factual account of policy and major legislation announced during the year. The chief sources of information for entries are departmental press releases, annual reports, the Budget Papers and Budget Related Papers for the year. The first Diary in the present series covered events for the calendar year 1980. Subsequent editions have been published for the years 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985-86, 1987-88 and 1989, copies of which can be obtained from the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Social Policy Research Centre.

In the last few years the attention of the general public has been drawn to the issue of superannuation. Reports such as, Income Support for the Retired and the Aged: an Agenda for Reform, and Better Incomes: Retirement Income Policy into the Next Century, published in 1988, announced the Government's intention to promote national superannuation with the aim of achieving full coverage of the workforce and reducing dependence on the aged pension. Thus, although 'superannuation' does not come within the usual portfolio areas covered in the Diary, its potential impact on Government policies for income support of elderly Australians makes it an important new addition to this 1990 Diary edition.