The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is more generous yet less demanding than unemployment assistance. Few commentators believe that a 117% increase in DSP claimants in 23 years reflects a real increase in disability and incapacity in the working-age population. 

The author argues that DSP rules need to be tightened to reduce the number of claimants, a move supported by nearly two thirds of the Australian public. The money saved - between $500 million and $1 billion per year - could be used to improve disability services for those who really need them.