TOP Proposes $5000 Cash Boost for Students

Words by Elliot Davis (he/him) 

As the election draws nearer, The Opportunities Party (TOP) have released a bold new policy targeting young people. The party is proposing the ‘Teal Card’: a way for people under 30 to access a range of benefits, closely modelled after the Super Gold Card for superannuants. 

Party Leader Raf Manji describes it as “an investment in our future generation”. TOP’s Strategic Adviser William Hall explained to Salient that the policy focuses on three key issues: healthcare, environment, and finance. Benefits of the proposed card include free GP visits, dental work, glasses, and mental health visits, as well as free public transport and subsidised bikes, ebikes, and scooters.

The policy would also introduce a $5000 savings boost when you turn 18 that can either be put into savings or spent at approved providers, allowing young people to invest in themselves. 

In order to qualify for the $5000, young people would be required to attend a five day long Outward Bound-style National Civics Course. The aim of the course would be to reframe the social contract by teaching financial literacy, conservation, community service, civil defence, and civics. 

When asked about equity concerns around accessing this course, Hall assured ^Salient there would be assistance in place for those who need it, in the form of transportation costs being covered and a payment of the living wage while away from home.

Hall told Salient how young people have been frequently ignored in the “big idea cash transfer policies” of other parties, meaning Gen Z is “the only generation in history that is worse off than the previous one.” The policy’s goal is to assist young people in areas that suck away the most cash such as healthcare, transport, and tertiary education costs. 

The policy has a projected cost of $1.5 billion per year, funded through tax adjustments and the Climate Emergency Response Fund.