It is considered that a new framework is needed for both political feasibility and
academic reasons. No Australian Government has ever adopted an official poverty
line or quantitative target for reducing poverty. In particular, relative income poverty
lines favoured by academics have been ignored. A multidimensional approach based
on ‘capabilities’ could perhaps attract the support of policy makers. Four domains of
capability are assessed: financial, employment, health and family/social. The aim of
policy would be to ensure that as many citizens as possible are equipped with the
capabilities to exercise effective choice and lead satisfying lives in a modern society
and economy.