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Neoliberalism, economic restructuring and policy change: Precarious housing and precarious employment in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Beer

    (University of South Australia, Australia)

  • Rebecca Bentley

    (University of Melbourne, Australia)

  • Emma Baker

    (University of Adelaide, Australia)

  • Kate Mason

    (University of Melbourne, Australia)

  • Shelley Mallett

    (University of Melbourne, Australia)

  • Anne Kavanagh

    (University of Melbourne, Australia)

  • Tony LaMontagne

    (University of Melbourne, Australia)

Abstract

Housing, employment and economic conditions in many nations have changed greatly over the past decades. This paper explores the ways in which changing housing markets, economic conditions and government policies have affected vulnerable individuals and households, using Australia as a case study. The paper finds a substantial number and proportion of low income Australians have been affected by housing and employment that is insecure with profound implications for vulnerability. Importantly, the paper suggests that in Australia the economic gains achieved as a consequence of mining-related growth in the early 2000s were translated as greater employment security for some on low incomes, but not all. Enhanced access to employment in this period was differentiated by gender, with women largely missing out on the growth in jobs. For the population as a whole, employment gains were offset by increased housing insecurity as accommodation costs rose. The paper finds low income lone parents were especially vulnerable because they were unable to benefit from a buoyant labour market over the decade 2000–2010. They were also adversely affected by national policy changes intended to encourage engagement with paid work. The outcomes identified for Australia are likely to have been mirrored in other nations, especially those that have embraced, or been forced to adopt, more restrictive welfare and income support regimes.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Beer & Rebecca Bentley & Emma Baker & Kate Mason & Shelley Mallett & Anne Kavanagh & Tony LaMontagne, 2016. "Neoliberalism, economic restructuring and policy change: Precarious housing and precarious employment in Australia," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(8), pages 1542-1558, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:53:y:2016:i:8:p:1542-1558
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098015596922
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Amy Clair, 2019. "Housing: an Under-Explored Influence on Children’s Well-Being and Becoming," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(2), pages 609-626, April.
    3. Rachel Ong & Gavin A Wood & Melek Cigdem, 2022. "Housing wealth, mortgages and Australians’ labour force participation in later life," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 59(4), pages 810-833, March.
    4. Señoret, Andrés & Ramirez, Maria Inés & Rehner, Johannes, 2022. "Employment and sustainability: The relation between precarious work and spatial inequality in the neoliberal city," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    5. Alan Morris & Andrew Beer & John Martin & Sandy Horne & Catherine Davis & Trevor Budge & Chris Paris, 2020. "Australian local governments and affordable housing: Challenges and possibilities," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 31(1), pages 14-33, March.

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