The role of the state in the provision of community resources, in particular in the redistribution of taxation revenue through the income maintenance system, and the role of law in the redistribution process. The major focus is an examination of the law, policy and practices of the Australian Social Security system. Other matters covered include: an examination of the causes and extent of poverty in Australia; the role of the state in the alleviation of poverty; the relationship between the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) and other Commonwealth and State laws, such as the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth); the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) the Child Support legislation and common law and statutory compensation systems; the role of law in effecting social change in general and redistribution in particular. Some of these topics will be dealt with in outline only.