The OECD claims there has not been an increase in inequality in Australia over the last 15 years, which is at odds with Labor’s claim that inequality is rising. The OECD states that the income of the poorest 20% of the population has risen the most since 2001, whereas middle-income earners have seen the lowest increase in income. The OECD’s study was based on the Melbourne Institute’s Household Income and Labor Dynamics (HILDA) survey, with the OECD stating that income inequality in Australia is above the OECD average. From The Australian:
Since 2001, the incomes of the poorest 20 per cent have risen 41 per cent compared with a rise of only 31 per cent for middle-income earners and 32 per cent for the highest-income earners.
