Faith, hope and charity

Welfare policy in Australia during the term of the Liberal-Coalition Government (1996-2007) sought to incorporate the benefits of faith-based Christian morals assumed to be embedded in faith-based provision at the grassroots of service delivery. In turn, it was believed these morals would have a positive impact on the habits of faith-based organization (FBO) clients, who were largely welfare recipients. Correspondingly, welfare reform, particularly Welfare to Work legislation also reflected a paternalistic ethos embodying highly moral views as to why poverty existed. Therefore, it was assumed that faith-based provision could overcome the moral deficiencies of the poor. Welfare and social policy became embedded within a clear duality in relation to citizenship. Those in poverty were seen as a moral underclass lacking traditional Christian values, which prevented them from gaining employment. In turn, volunteers, particularly those who worked in Christian organisations, were upheld as virtuous citizens who would, due to their involvement in social and welfare provision, pass their moral values onto clients in need thus providing a solution to poverty. Australian politicians were following trends in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, particularly the USA, which promoted FBOs as moral institutions capable of reforming the behaviour of the poor who had become passive dependents of the welfare state. Through a predominantly qualitative research design incorporating quantitative data collected from volunteers, managers, and clients of FBOs in the Hunter, the role of faith in the provision of faith-based social and welfare services was explored to gain an understanding of how it manifested in service provision and whether the faith of those working in Hunter FBOs could provide a way out of poverty for those reliant on residual state benefits. The findings of this study do not support the belief held by the Howard government that the faithful seek to moralise those in poverty who use their services. In contrast, they seek to provide a caring and compassionate environment where they attempt to convey the love of God through their service.