Social Reform
During his time as Prime Minister, Bob Hawke oversaw significant social reform that has had a lasting impact on Australia.
Government support for low income Australians increased, with the implementation of:
- The Family Allowance Supplement
- Youth Allowance and Austudy
- Home Care Programs to help aged and disabled people
- Increased rent assistance and public housing funding for low income earners
- Community Employment Programs for the unemployed
Universal, tax-funded health insurance was reintroduced in 1984 under the name Medicare, building on the Medibank scheme from the Whitlam era.