2022 Election
Supafreak wrote:GuySmiley wrote:Supafreak wrote:Scott Morrison signs on with global political network home to ‘intolerant far right’ https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/09/14/scott-morrison-far-r...
Reactionary cunning stunt
Who knew Scott was a proud boy ?
Bankrupted ideology for decades morphed into cheap popularism
Supafreak wrote:GuySmiley wrote:Supafreak wrote:Scott Morrison signs on with global political network home to ‘intolerant far right’ https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/09/14/scott-morrison-far-r...
Reactionary cunning stunt
Who knew Scott was a proud boy ?
What a POS!
https://m.
Scotty had been lying again. Geez I hope an ICAC nails him....
Supafreak wrote:Scott Morrison signs on with global political network home to ‘intolerant far right’ https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/09/14/scott-morrison-far-r...
On a side note, the article talks about Orban a fair bit. Despite some obvious issues, Orban remains an extremely popular character, both within Hungary and abroad. Nationalism is definitely on the rise in Europe and Orban positioned himself as one of the leaders of the pack. I see more people gravitating towards him. It's not good and it's quite scary actually.
Federal ICAC legislation is ready to roll ….
https://www.theage.com.au/national/finally-a-fully-cooked-federal-corrup...
GuySmiley wrote:Federal ICAC legislation is ready to roll ….
https://www.theage.com.au/national/finally-a-fully-cooked-federal-corrup...
It will be interesting to see who opposes this and their reasons for doing so .
Great start.
Would be good to see what penalties they could impose and whether they could be given retrospective powers and the time frame.
All said and done, way overdue.
GuySmiley wrote:Federal ICAC legislation is ready to roll ….
https://www.theage.com.au/national/finally-a-fully-cooked-federal-corrup...
Excellent, looks good at this stage and with Haines recommendations added, retrospective powers, and proper funding funding, it will be a game changer in Australian politics.
Wonder what can of worms this will open, as I'm sure there are some worms squirming now....
“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
AndyM wrote:“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
Be interesting to know why lambie is speaking up now ? Admits she voted for it but didn’t say anything until labor came to power , that seems a bit strange . Most doubt Labor will go ahead with it in 2024 , it will be an election issue for sure .
Supafreak wrote:AndyM wrote:“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
Be interesting to know why lambie is speaking up now ? Admits she voted for it but didn’t say anything until labor came to power , that seems a bit strange . Most doubt Labor will go ahead with it in 2024 , it will be an election issue for sure .
Lambie is really just a populist looking for attention. If she voted for it at the time, why is she speaking up now. Hypocrite? Just join LNP Jacqui....
No comment on the message itself??
I reckon Lambie's comment is on the money, as is AndyMac's assessment of her.
So many good social and economic reasons why the tax cuts shouldn’t go ahead it’s hard to see a credible Labor government proceeding with them so we shall see.
More broadly we need much greater reform of the tax system and the economy as a whole so again we shall see what appetite the ALP has to be a notable govt or bench warmer.
Incremental change is safe but the country needs boldness after the last decade of wasted opportunity.
What’s worse, a party that’s ossified and does a great line in crony capitalism, or a windvane populist?
AndyM wrote:What’s worse, a party that’s ossified and does a great line in crony capitalism, or a windvane populist?
It would be nice to have an alternative to both.
The populist never has to worry about being accountable beyond the next election, no need for anything as tricky as workable policies. The crony capitalists have to sell out just to get elected. It's all a bit depressing.
AndyM wrote:No comment on the message itself??
The tax cuts do not come into effect until 2024. Let's see what happens. Yes if Labor let them happen without any modifications, they are selling out. They should not go ahead.
My theory/ hope is they are playing long game and will keep resisting until pressure from media, populace and other political players becomes strong where they can drop them, or modify them without giving LNP, Murdoch etc ammunition to attack breaking election promise etc.
I could be wrong, but no need to do it now as still over a year before they come into effect.
blackers wrote:AndyM wrote:What’s worse, a party that’s ossified and does a great line in crony capitalism, or a windvane populist?
It would be nice to have an alternative to both.
The populist never has to worry about being accountable beyond the next election, no need for anything as tricky as workable policies. The crony capitalists have to sell out just to get elected. It's all a bit depressing.
Nice little aphorisms there Blackers.
I would say though that by definition populism isn't necessarily a bad thing.
It is a bit depressing at times but I do think the cat is out of the bag with regards to what the two majors actually represent, so I think they have to change or they will continue to lose power.
I
AndyM wrote:blackers wrote:AndyM wrote:What’s worse, a party that’s ossified and does a great line in crony capitalism, or a windvane populist?
It would be nice to have an alternative to both.
The populist never has to worry about being accountable beyond the next election, no need for anything as tricky as workable policies. The crony capitalists have to sell out just to get elected. It's all a bit depressing.Nice little aphorisms there Blackers.
I would say though that by definition populism isn't necessarily a bad thing.
It is a bit depressing at times but I do think the cat is out of the bag with regards to what the two majors actually represent, so I think they have to change or they will continue to lose power.
I
Putting the LNP and Labor into the same category is ridiculous. They may tow the line in many areas but when it comes to health, Medicare, education, ICAC, progressive causes, proper parliament and good governance, they are leagues ahead of Tories....
Geez Albo has done more good for Australia in less than 6 months than the previous corrupt Muppets did in 10 years .... But that would be by design as Mathias boasted about keeping wages low.
Labor is preferable to the LNP, no doubt - ICAC, Indigenous voice, "progressive causes" etc.
Great stuff.
But.
Labor is still a neoliberal party, there's just no avoiding this.
If you're looking for them to address wealth inequality, the housing crisis, use of fossil fuels, well you might be waiting a while.
Everything they do is within the confines of neoliberalism and as such, despite "socially progressive" efforts, they are still in reality, a centre right party with all that entails.
It might even be worthwhile going over what neoliberalism actually is.
"Common to all definitions of neoliberalism is its affirmation of the superior effi
cacy of self-regulated or ‘free’ markets over government intervention.
Policy positions following from this stance include privatisation and a more general reduction of public provision, a preference for reduction of taxation and public expenditure, the elevation of inflation targeting over full employment and a restriction of government regulation.
Class-based analyses of neoliberalism focus on policies that privilege the interests of capital by reducing trade union power, increasing the degree of employer prerogative, eradicating the commons and resisting or removing accountability measures that might otherwise allow scrutiny of the decisions of those holding executive management positions.
Neoliberalisation in its implementation is an anti-democratic project.
It is an agenda to depoliticise politics, placing policy in the hands of technical experts or the hidden hand of the market and beyond the scrutiny of public debate."
Labor has shown its true form over not years but decades, we're talking about since the beginning of the Accords in 1983.
Yes they're a damned sight more appealing than the alternative but don't take my word for it, the stats don't lie - the electorate have indeed put "the LNP and Labor into the same category" and are in the process of rejecting them both.
Let me say this very clearly: Labor are not going to deviate from a neoliberal path and will continue to, in a general context, suppress wages and direct profits upwards.
And it will run a mile to avoid addressing industrial relations issues and crucially, to avoid dealing with the rapidly developing class chasms in Australia.
AndyM wrote:Labor is preferable to the LNP, no doubt - ICAC, Indigenous voice, "progressive causes" etc.
Great stuff.
But.
Labor is still a neoliberal party, there's just no avoiding this.
If you're looking for them to address wealth inequality, the housing crisis, use of fossil fuels, well you might be waiting a while.
Everything they do is within the confines of neoliberalism and as such, despite "socially progressive" efforts, they are still in reality, a centre right party with all that entails.It might even be worthwhile going over what neoliberalism actually is.
"Common to all definitions of neoliberalism is its affirmation of the superior effi
cacy of self-regulated or ‘free’ markets over government intervention.
Policy positions following from this stance include privatisation and a more general reduction of public provision, a preference for reduction of taxation and public expenditure, the elevation of inflation targeting over full employment and a restriction of government regulation.
Class-based analyses of neoliberalism focus on policies that privilege the interests of capital by reducing trade union power, increasing the degree of employer prerogative, eradicating the commons and resisting or removing accountability measures that might otherwise allow scrutiny of the decisions of those holding executive management positions.
Neoliberalisation in its implementation is an anti-democratic project.
It is an agenda to depoliticise politics, placing policy in the hands of technical experts or the hidden hand of the market and beyond the scrutiny of public debate."Labor has shown its true form over not years but decades, we're talking about since the beginning of the Accords in 1983.
Yes they're a damned sight more appealing than the alternative but don't take my word for it, the stats don't lie - the electorate have indeed put "the LNP and Labor into the same category" and are in the process of rejecting them both.Let me say this very clearly: Labor are not going to deviate from a neoliberal path and will continue to, in a general context, suppress wages and direct profits upwards.
And it will run a mile to avoid addressing industrial relations issues and crucially, to avoid dealing with the rapidly developing class chasms in Australia.
Yep I got to agree with that. Change will come slow, if at all. Hopefully independents etc can reverse course, but in essence I agree with your analysis. My point is though Labor are the better party to have in government. It's a pity we don't follow the positive aspects of Scandinavian model. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"It's a pity we don't follow the positive aspects of Scandinavian model. "
As I keep saying, I really hope we keep moving towards something resembling a multi-party system :)
"Labor is preferable to the LNP, no doubt - ICAC, Indigenous voice, "progressive causes" etc.
Great stuff."
Careful what you wish for. As a shining example I bring you - tadaah - Ardern's NZ! A country split down the middle and going down the gurgler.
One thing is spouting all the rhetoric du jour, another is actually being a capable government.
AndyM wrote:"It's a pity we don't follow the positive aspects of Scandinavian model. "
As I keep saying, I really hope we keep moving towards something resembling a multi-party system :)
But sometimes it feels we are just debating seating plan on the Titanic....
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/19/as-resistance-grow...
Island Bay wrote:"Labor is preferable to the LNP, no doubt - ICAC, Indigenous voice, "progressive causes" etc.
Great stuff."Careful what you wish for. As a shining example I bring you - tadaah - Ardern's NZ! A country split down the middle and going down the gurgler.
One thing is spouting all the rhetoric du jour, another is actually being a capable government.
100% her and her party has fallen behind in polls, because end of the day you can only distract people for so long with side issues and fake empathy, if you can't do the important things right you eventually get found out.
Same will happen here in Australia, the question is more how many terms it will take?
The way the leftovers are performing the new LNP PM hasn’t been born yet
"... if you can't do the important things right you eventually get found out."
You mean like the Coalition just were? With all its faults, and there are many, our version of democracy only works when there is competition between the parties and a relatively regular turn over of power. If not, complacency, greed and incompetency reign, as we have just observed. Let's see how it goes, you get another chance to have a say in 3 years time.
Supafreak wrote:The way the leftovers are performing the new LNP PM hasn’t been born yet
Haha that is so true..... Wait until ICAC gets going, they may no longer have a party.... Scotty and Angus could share a cell... :)
From Guardian.
"Australia signs economic pledge with Indonesia
Australia and Indonesia have pledged to increase economic cooperation ahead of a G20 finance ministers meeting, AAP reports.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, met with the Indonesian finance minister, Mulyani Indrawati, in Canberra on Monday to sign the memorandum of understanding.
The agreement will facilitate the exchange of departmental officials from both nations, with dialogue and cooperation to focus on areas such as tax policy and financial regulation."
Great to see a proper Australian government again engaging in a purposeful way with Indonesia. Mulyani Indrawati is a class act.
andy-mac wrote:Supafreak wrote:AndyM wrote:“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
Be interesting to know why lambie is speaking up now ? Admits she voted for it but didn’t say anything until labor came to power , that seems a bit strange . Most doubt Labor will go ahead with it in 2024 , it will be an election issue for sure .
Lambie is really just a populist looking for attention. If she voted for it at the time, why is she speaking up now. Hypocrite? Just join LNP Jacqui....
didn't labor vote for them at the time too?
what will labor be when (if) they finally pipe up against them?
...populist?
...wishy washy flip floppers, unable to keep their promises? (murdoch press)
...or, ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)
AndyM wrote:...It might even be worthwhile going over what neoliberalism actually is.
"Common to all definitions of neoliberalism is its affirmation of the superior effi
cacy of self-regulated or ‘free’ markets over government intervention.
Policy positions following from this stance include privatisation and a more general reduction of public provision, a preference for reduction of taxation and public expenditure, the elevation of inflation targeting over full employment and a restriction of government regulation.
Class-based analyses of neoliberalism focus on policies that privilege the interests of capital by reducing trade union power, increasing the degree of employer prerogative, eradicating the commons and resisting or removing accountability measures that might otherwise allow scrutiny of the decisions of those holding executive management positions.
Neoliberalisation in its implementation is an anti-democratic project.
It is an agenda to depoliticise politics, placing policy in the hands of technical experts or the hidden hand of the market and beyond the scrutiny of public debate."
good definition...
excellent definition... considering institutions like the IMF were denying its very existence less than 10 years ago...
many like to talk of incremental change... and that we cannot upturn the current accepted MO... i call bullshit!
the experience of average joe and the privatisation of things like power and water has been disasterous
yeh, there may have been gains in efficiency initially... but 20 years or so in, those savings most definitely are not filtering down to joe..
quite the opposite
and often those savings are now going to some of te richest corporate dogs on the planet... not even australian corporate dogs!
...as consumers just get shafted more and more... to the point of it now being so blatent, greedy and gratuitous, the only surprising thing is why consumers aren't tearing shit apart due to lack of representation by our leaders... the gas situation being a prime exampke
incremebtal...
gentle boat rocking...
yeh nah, the political (and moral) ground is ripe for the taking...
labor just need to show some balls
(instead of attacking their former voters who worked hard, got lucky, or just got smart, within the corrupted system they were dealt... 'the big end of town' ... pfffffff ...their cluelessness is truly astounding)
andy-mac wrote:From Guardian.
"Australia signs economic pledge with Indonesia
Australia and Indonesia have pledged to increase economic cooperation ahead of a G20 finance ministers meeting, AAP reports.The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, met with the Indonesian finance minister, Mulyani Indrawati, in Canberra on Monday to sign the memorandum of understanding.
The agreement will facilitate the exchange of departmental officials from both nations, with dialogue and cooperation to focus on areas such as tax policy and financial regulation."
Great to see a proper Australian government again engaging in a purposeful way with Indonesia. Mulyani Indrawati is a class act.
I wouldn't get too excited...
"The agreement will facilitate the exchange of departmental officials from both nations, with dialogue and cooperation to focus on areas such as tax policy and financial regulation."
the translation of that isn't as appealing as it sounds
sypkan wrote:andy-mac wrote:Supafreak wrote:AndyM wrote:“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
Be interesting to know why lambie is speaking up now ? Admits she voted for it but didn’t say anything until labor came to power , that seems a bit strange . Most doubt Labor will go ahead with it in 2024 , it will be an election issue for sure .
Lambie is really just a populist looking for attention. If she voted for it at the time, why is she speaking up now. Hypocrite? Just join LNP Jacqui....
didn't labor vote for them at the time too?
what will labor be when (if) they finally pipe up against them?
...populist?
...wishy washy flip floppers, unable to keep their promises? (murdoch press)
...or, ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)
Labor would not be in government if they opposed them. The LNP tried to wedge them by putting lower income tax cuts together with higher income in same legislation. They opposed the higher end at the time but let the legislation through. If opposed Murdoch Morrison and every other man and his dog would have been screaming Labor are high taxing blah blah blah de farking blah until election and we would be now throwing up in our mouths as Morrison carries on in England tugging his forelock.
Great to be ideological in politics, but got to be in government to make real change and that required compromise, not screaming from outside. Saying that if Labor do let the tax legislation through as is I will be in the below category.
.. ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)[/quote
sypkan wrote:andy-mac wrote:From Guardian.
"Australia signs economic pledge with Indonesia
Australia and Indonesia have pledged to increase economic cooperation ahead of a G20 finance ministers meeting, AAP reports.The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, met with the Indonesian finance minister, Mulyani Indrawati, in Canberra on Monday to sign the memorandum of understanding.
The agreement will facilitate the exchange of departmental officials from both nations, with dialogue and cooperation to focus on areas such as tax policy and financial regulation."
Great to see a proper Australian government again engaging in a purposeful way with Indonesia. Mulyani Indrawati is a class act.
I wouldn't get too excited...
"The agreement will facilitate the exchange of departmental officials from both nations, with dialogue and cooperation to focus on areas such as tax policy and financial regulation."
the translation of that isn't as appealing as it sounds
At least we are talking and engaging... That is a start!
Supafreak wrote:The way the leftovers are performing the new LNP PM hasn’t been born yet
Mate if complete arse hat clowns like Albo or Biden can get voted into power then literally anyone with a pulse can get voted in, the bar has never been set lower.
andy-mac wrote:sypkan wrote:andy-mac wrote:Supafreak wrote:AndyM wrote:“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
Be interesting to know why lambie is speaking up now ? Admits she voted for it but didn’t say anything until labor came to power , that seems a bit strange . Most doubt Labor will go ahead with it in 2024 , it will be an election issue for sure .
Lambie is really just a populist looking for attention. If she voted for it at the time, why is she speaking up now. Hypocrite? Just join LNP Jacqui....
didn't labor vote for them at the time too?
what will labor be when (if) they finally pipe up against them?
...populist?
...wishy washy flip floppers, unable to keep their promises? (murdoch press)
...or, ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)
Labor would not be in government if they opposed them. The LNP tried to wedge them by putting lower income tax cuts together with higher income in same legislation. They opposed the higher end at the time but let the legislation through. If opposed Murdoch Morrison and every other man and his dog would have been screaming Labor are high taxing blah blah blah de farking blah until election and we would be now throwing up in our mouths as Morrison carries on in England tugging his forelock.
Great to be ideological in politics, but got to be in government to make real change and that required compromise, not screaming from outside. Saying that if Labor do let the tax legislation through as is I will be in the below category.
.. ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)[/quote
I agree...
but labor saying they still support them now - with some conviction - is setting themselves up for a soundbite nightmare later...
that's assuming they change their position - pressure is building!
they are now wedgey-ing themselves, trying to be too smart
Couple more to add to your list Indo: Morrison, Abbott, Trump, Boris… no bigger arse hats going around than them.
"At least we are talking and engaging... That is a start!"
whilst I agree re. other countries... significantly so... I'd argue the current chalmers shuffle is just a continuation of what morrison's government were doing... working towards a free trade agreement I guess... but morrison and co. had already made significant developements around visas and stuff
much overdue developements around visas... before corona shut shit down...
re. 'stuff', significant data sharing capacities between indo banks and institutions...
be alert but not alarmed mum and dad investors!
meanwhile... big business just hired another legion of lawyers and tax consultants...
jimmy looking after the little guy
indo-dreaming wrote:Supafreak wrote:The way the leftovers are performing the new LNP PM hasn’t been born yet
Mate if complete arse hat clowns like Albo or Biden can get voted into power then literally anyone with a pulse can get voted in, the bar has never been set lower.
And then there’s the dynamic duos 
It's alright Indo, you can rock yourself to sleep thinking about Angus Taylor.
indo-dreaming wrote:Supafreak wrote:The way the leftovers are performing the new LNP PM hasn’t been born yet
Mate if complete arse hat clowns like Albo or Biden can get voted into power then literally anyone with a pulse can get voted in, the bar has never been set lower.
Comedy gold!!!!!
sypkan wrote:andy-mac wrote:sypkan wrote:andy-mac wrote:Supafreak wrote:AndyM wrote:“Jacqui Lambie has accused Labor of betraying its values by proceeding with the planned stage three tax cuts while refusing to lift the JobSeeker payment, and urged “lazy voters” to blow up the major party system by deliberately voting against sitting MPs.”
Lambie telling it how it is.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/lambie-shames-labor-over-tax-...
Be interesting to know why lambie is speaking up now ? Admits she voted for it but didn’t say anything until labor came to power , that seems a bit strange . Most doubt Labor will go ahead with it in 2024 , it will be an election issue for sure .
Lambie is really just a populist looking for attention. If she voted for it at the time, why is she speaking up now. Hypocrite? Just join LNP Jacqui....
didn't labor vote for them at the time too?
what will labor be when (if) they finally pipe up against them?
...populist?
...wishy washy flip floppers, unable to keep their promises? (murdoch press)
...or, ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)
Labor would not be in government if they opposed them. The LNP tried to wedge them by putting lower income tax cuts together with higher income in same legislation. They opposed the higher end at the time but let the legislation through. If opposed Murdoch Morrison and every other man and his dog would have been screaming Labor are high taxing blah blah blah de farking blah until election and we would be now throwing up in our mouths as Morrison carries on in England tugging his forelock.
Great to be ideological in politics, but got to be in government to make real change and that required compromise, not screaming from outside. Saying that if Labor do let the tax legislation through as is I will be in the below category.
.. ideogically lacking pathetic morons, with no moral compass and a (new) populist bent? (me)[/quoteI agree...
but labor saying they still support them now - with some conviction - is setting themselves up for a soundbite nightmare later...
that's assuming they change their position - pressure is building!
they are now wedgey-ing themselves, trying to be too smart
But are they saying that with conviction. I thought more that no change of plans as to what they said at election. You could be right and they are over cooking it. But maybe they will come out in 12 months time and say we have listened to the people and will modify or drop tax. Then gain the political capital??? Dunno, have to wait and see ....
the usual deer in the headlights conviction from albo...
but he did explicitly say they would support them
seemed very non negotiable, explicitly stated, deer in headlights..
soundbite gold
sypkan wrote:the usual deer in the headlights conviction from albo...
but he did explicitly say they would support them
seemed very non negotiable, explicitly stated, deer in headlights..
soundbite gold
Time will tell. .....
Really good comment AndyM on neoliberal capitalism, very accurate I think.
What I've found interesting (and dumbfounding) is my experience of doing a degree in economics vs reality.
In studying economics one gets a very balanced and moderate - a sensible - picture of things like the role and failures of markets, the role and size of government, policies for protecting the environment, labour market regulation, competition policy, privatisation, taxation, globalisation, etc. Not all economics graduates are neoliberalists!
Aus was once fairly aligned with this balanced, sensible picture, but long since drifted away from it. The US is a well out there pathological basket case. A lot of the nordic model countries cluster around being very sensible.
Why is Aus going this direction? There seems to be other forces at work than economic common sense and sanity, and a desire for balanced and fair outcomes for all. I always thought the Labor party is supposed to be the one that pulls things back to the centre, but yes politics doesn't seem to work like that anymore...
Another area that has fascinated me is the environment and climate change. There's lots of economic approaches that can be used, but many seem to get shot down and slaughtered. I've even seen it argued that things like an emissions trading scheme are "licences" to pollute...this is completely backwards thinking...
“Why is Aus going this direction?”
Well Australia’s been, shall we say, “strongly encouraged to” for the past 50-odd years.
Obviously the forces of globalised neoliberalism are immensely strong and quite ruthless.
They intended to become hegemonic and they are.
Most people don’t really question where we’re at, to the extent that a centre-right party with socially progressive efforts is seen as left of centre.
That’s the power of hegemony.
Having said that, the old days of the simple Left-Right political spectrum appear to be behind us and now we need to navigate more complex political and ideological definitions.
I wonder if the murdoch press will pick this story up ? Might still be too busy with QE2 ……….. Scott Morrison’s secretive cabinet committee of one had hundreds of meetings, FOI documents suggest. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/21/scott-morrisons-s...
Secrets and allies: Tribunal jobs raise questions about transparency and cronyism https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/secrets-and-allies-tribunal-jobs...
Supafreak wrote:Secrets and allies: Tribunal jobs raise questions about transparency and cronyism https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/secrets-and-allies-tribunal-jobs...
Just read that, astounding.
“…an independent legal tribunal should not be a retirement village for Liberal mates.”
Supafreak wrote:Secrets and allies: Tribunal jobs raise questions about transparency and cronyism https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/secrets-and-allies-tribunal-jobs...
Not surprised, seems to be waft of corruption with everything LNP touch. Think major purge of LNP appointments needs to happen. ICAC cannot get going soon enough.
The present GG has seemed to disgrace the office. Sad ....
.