Is the Australian government required by the Constitution to pay every citizen a pension?
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Description
This image shows the front page of the original public record copy of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.
Permission for publication must be sought from Parliament House Art Collection. Contact DPS Art Services, phone: 02 62775034 or 02 62775123
No, the Australian Constitution doesn’t say the government must pay everyone a pension. It says that the Australian Parliament can make laws about pensions and welfare payments.
The Constitution gives the Parliament the power to make laws about old-age and disability pensions and other types of welfare payments. It does not say how these should be provided, only that the Parliament can make laws about these areas. That means it is up to Parliament to decide how pensions are given, who gets them, and under what conditions.
You can find current pension laws on the Federal Register of Legislation website.