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Economic analysis of income distribution by Professor Bob Gregory of the
Australian National University, and others, has shown that income inequality in Australia has
increased over the past thirty years. In summary, the numerical ''dollar'' gap between the
highest income earning groups and the lowest income earning groups has increased. There are
more people, as a percentage of all income earners, in the lowest income range than ever before.
The size of the ''middle class'' in Australia has decreased, as real wages have fallen.
The richest groups in our society have actually decreased as a percentage of all income earners,
however, the incomes of these fortunate few have actually increased.
Increasing income inequality, and a lack of employment opportunities for the poor, leads to an
increase in the incident of crime in the community. This is of considerable concern to all of
us.
Associated with income inequality is a growing concentration of wealth in the hands of
the richest groups in our society.
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