An international comparison of disposable incomes has shown a stunning improvement since the election of the Coalition in 1996.
The current OECD assessment is that out of the eight different scenarios that they test for after-tax income and benefits, from low paid to high paid, from single to married, with children and without, Australian workers are ranked either first or second (see attached table).
That is, out of the thirty richest countries of the industrialised world, Australians have either the highest or second highest disposable incomes in every category. No other country performs as well.
The reason for this is threefold. Firstly, our strong economy has produced strong growth in incomes. Secondly, Australians have benefited from lower income taxes and increasing family benefits. And thirdly, unlike a large number of the other countries, careful management has kept Australia out of recession.