It was generally accepted that the role of the State in ensuring welfare would gradually expand. Over the past 20 years this view has been constantly challenged, and institutional welfare has been blamed by the right for economic problems. Residual welfare is well and truly back on the political agenda. A fundamental debate. Selective services are are targeted only to those who meet specified criteria of need.
Universal services are available to all, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Universal services tend not to be considered welfare at all in Australia, which demonstrates how entrenched our residual notion of welfare is. The most common argument is one about control. If only the poor can use certain services, those services will be devalued in the public eye.