A UBI ought to be supported by the Unions, Business, and us all ahead of a wage rise during times of increasing inflation. A wage rise is a cost to employers who will inevitably try to pass on the cost (and more), as they too seek to stay ahead of inflation. A $40/week UBI (to start) would represent a further 5% minimum wage rise, at no cost to employers, eliminating any potential 'cost push' inflation. It would provide an even bigger percentage benefit to people who are working less than a full week on the minimum wage, or who are doing gig work. It would also provide a direct benefit to all people who are unable to do paid work, especially benefiting those with no savings or family support. It could be the first step towards a full UBI over 5 years, lifting 3.2 million Australians out of poverty. As interest rates begin to bite, pushing the economy towards recession, the UBI can help to sustain demand for the basics.

Once the UBI reaches the poverty line (currently around $500/week), it could:

1. Act as ‘basic income insurance’

People lose income for all sorts of reasons every day.

With the UBI coming in each week, there is no delay, no need to apply. And, without onerous 'mutual obligations', you can spend your time looking for new work, or caring for yourself and your family, as circumstances require. And, because the UBI does not stop when you earn, there is every incentive to find new work when you can, to better yourself and your family.

Here is an example reported in The Guardian of what thousands face every day:
" Poverty can happen to anyone at any time – it’s in my every waking and sleeping thought "

2. Become a new powerful tool to help keep the labour market in dynamic balance

This can be achieved because each person has a different propensity to take on paid work, depending on their age, commitments, needs, and other income.

As automation and virtualization result in a fall in demand for workers, the UBI can be increased.

As it is raised, individuals will make their own choice to stop looking for work, or to drop out of paid work, to live on the UBI and any other passive income they may have. Once the rate at which jobs are being filled begins to push out beyond ‘standard’ recruitment times, this would signal the need to hold the UBI rate until the market is re-balanced.

It would never be perfect, but it should facilitate the transition to a ‘new normal’ over time.

Done in this way, a UBI can be transformative for society, in a way that wage rises cannot.

That said, Unions have a role to play to negotiate a fair share of the productivity gains generated by companies in the form of shorter hours, more flexible working arrangements, job share, improved conditions, and higher pay.