One figure for the cost of this bodgie scheme is $270 plus billion per year. It has been described as a scam which could be used by governments to dodge their commitments to full employment. It has also been suggested that, as people in work would receive the free money also, they would possibly work less and productivity would drop. I haven't seen anything positive said about it apart from the usual big government free-loaders.

Hi Steele, the predictable chorus from the conservative peanut gallery whenever anyone floats a progressive idea is, it is a ridiculous idea, too expensive, immoral even. The Conservatives do not want ideas put forward for discussion. Discussion can lead to implementation, and we don't want implementation.

The Conservatives opposed universal healthcare when it was first put forward. They lampooned it with all their usual gusto. Given the chance the Conservatives would abolish 'Medicare' tomorrow if they could. The only problem is overcoming the 80% of Australians who support it.

Valiant effort, Paul, but have you noticed all the money that has been thrown at the Aboriginal communities and the effect that that has had?

//Valiant effort, Paul, but have you noticed all the money that has been thrown at the Aboriginal communities//

That's not a UBI. The closest thing to an established UBI I could find is the Alaska Permanent Fund:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund

Readers may be interested to note that the APF has not led to the collapse of Alaskan society.

The closest thing was communism in Russia & China, & it led to major starvation & the collapse of both societies.

What the hell is "progressive" about trying to give the communist system another run under a different name.

More & more we see the greens displaying their old communist past. I guess they think there are enough kids now who have no idea of the catastrophe that it brought to those under it.

Dear Hasbeen,

And when you combine communism/socialism with a decent democratic structure you get a mechanism for securing better futures for emerging countries.

The Kibbutz movement in Israel was a formative bedrock for that country, producing several prime ministers, and it was soundly grounded in communistic ideals. Its rigidity understandably abated as the country developed but its role was formative.

The success of the Scandinavian countries is also driven by strong socialist measures. Their future compared to that of the most hyper-capitalist nation the US is looking far more positive.