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[Term] Middle class welfare [Definition] 
Middle-class welfare is a term used by economists and commentators to refer to the increase in tax breaks and welfare payments for those on higher incomes that came in under the Howard Government. The private health insurance rebate for higher income earners has been singled out as an example of this. The majority of the policies labelled 'middle-class welfare' were maintained by the Rudd and Gillard governments, with any attempts to wind them back labelled "class warfare". But some economists have argued this has significantly contributed to the collapse in tax revenue.
Budget 2014: Tony Abbott opens door to 'horse-trading' with minor parties in Senate to pass key measures - Federal Budget 2014 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Definition