10.4225/03/5930ba94ec875 Mendes, Philip Philip Mendes Is social inclusion just a new buzzword? A half time report card on the social welfare policies of the Rudd Government Monash University 2017 journal article monash:19163 1959.1/126609 2017-06-02 01:08:35 Journal contribution https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/journal_contribution/Is_social_inclusion_just_a_new_buzzword_A_half_time_report_card_on_the_social_welfare_policies_of_the_Rudd_Government/5063386 The ALP Government claims to be pursuing a social inclusion agenda aimed at promoting the participation of particularly disadvantaged groups. This holistic agenda recognizes that disadvantage is caused by a complex interaction of structural, local community and individual factors, and differs significantly from the former Coalition government's primary emphasis on individual responsibility. The government seems to have a genuine commitment to addressing social disadvantage and has significantly increased the level of social investment in a number of key areas. However, its application of social inclusion principles still appears to be inconsistent and unduly limited by political and budgetary considerations.