Lech Keller-Krawczyk

Research Fellow

Centro de Estudos Transdisciplinares para o

Desenvolvimento, Universidade de

Socio-economic policy in Australia during the crisis years 1984-2004

Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal

ABSTRACT. The subject of this paper is a critique of neoliberal socio-economic policy applied in Australia in years 1984-2004 by governments of formally different political orientations. It contains a detailed analysis of how this policy changed the quality of life of ordinary Australians. As strict quantification of life’s quality is impossible from various reasons, attention is focused on such areas as unemployment, inflation and real wages.

Received: January, 2011

1st Revision: March, 2011

Accepted: May, 2011

JEL Classification: J6, P44

Keywords: economic policy, neoliberalism, Australia, quality of life, unemployment, inflation, wages.