Compulsory income management under the Stronger Futures laws - providing 'flexibility' or overturning freedom of contract?

Abstract

This article argues that whilst income management has been heralded by the Government as providing ‘greater choice and flexibility’ for welfare recipients, the scheme significantly erodes freedom of contract for those subject to it. The doctrine of freedom of contract maintains that consumers are to have freedom to enter into contracts for goods and services of their own choice with merchants of their own choice.