Philosopher's Zone Poverty and punishment
Nov 13, 2025
Jeanette Kennett, a philosopher specializing in moral psychology from Macquarie University, tackles the troubling intersection of poverty and welfare policy. She explains how myths of individual failure cloud political accountability and highlights the damaging effects of mutual obligation on welfare recipients. Kennett critiques punitive welfare sanctions and questions the fairness of conditional support. She also argues that poverty undermines self-control, while advocating for a reformative approach amidst rising anti-poverty activism.
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Poverty Framed As Individual Failure
- Presenting poverty as individual moral failing lets politicians avoid structural reforms and keep payments low.
- Jeanette Kennett argues myths about laziness and fraud generate public resentment that justifies punitive policies.
Myths Enable Political Convenience
- Demonising welfare recipients creates political cover to cut supports while appearing fiscally responsible.
- Kennett notes verified welfare fraud in Australia is under 1%, so suspicion targets a tiny minority.
Everyday Humiliation In Welfare Offices
- People report arbitrary, humiliating mutual obligation processes like repeated document requests and impossible appointment times.
- Kennett emphasises these practices leave recipients insecure, stressed and at risk of losing housing or food.