In this contribution to the CIS Social Welfare Research Program, Suri Ratnapala, Lecturer in Law at the University of Queensland, explains why the welfare state is a constant source of political conflict:

-          In Australia, the strict constitutional distinction between legislation and administration has been obliterated by the courts.

-          As a result, welfare policy is typically promoted by delegated legislation and administrative regulations that escape parliamentary scrutiny and judicial control.

-          This encourages special interests to lobby government for welfare programs that benefits them at the expense of the community.