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Australia's New Politics - Howard Emanuel

The recent decision by the Labor Party to support legislation that will increase the cost of medicines available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) by 30%, is both a sad day for Australia’s less well-off...... Read More Here.....

By Howard Emanuel - 3rd October 2004 - Back to News

The recent decision by the Labor Party to support legislation that will increase the cost of medicines available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) by 30%, is both a sad day for Australia’s less well-off and the beginning of a new political reality in this country.

For over one hundred years the ALP has at least notionally represented the needs and aspirations of Australia’s working classes, the disadvantaged and those that struggle against the impacts of our free market system. Through its presence, both in government and in opposition in the parliaments of this country the Labor Party has managed to buttress the less well off, and deliver them at least a modicum of decency and hope in their lives.

Now all that is changing. The ALP has clearly decided its future lies with "Middle Australia" and has embraced its newfound charter with exuberance and vigour. Supporting tax cuts for those already comfortably off, with no relief for low income earners, watching its Victorian state branch introduce vehicle registration fees for concession card holders and giving tax payer funds to those aspiring to purchase a first home up to the value of $500,000.00, clearly indicates the ALP is in search of fertile political ground for the future.

Those who have supported and cemented the position of the Labor Party in this country as a political force to be reckoned with are feeling more confused and despairing rather than angry. How could the beneficiary of such multitudes of voter largess over the years suddenly turn its back on its benefactor and plunge that patron into despondency and dejection. Leaving it naked to the forces of conservatism underpinned by a naive belief that the market place will distribute the spoils of life to all.

The emerging political reality facing Australia I see will consist of an increasing presence in the parliaments of this country of other parties and independents, those in touch with the realities faced by the community, those living in and embraced by their communities, not ensconced in their citadels of privilege and inertia.

Those who struggle in this country mainly do so because of the contour and dynamic of this society, not necessarily because of any inherent weakness. To suggest weakness and a lack of capacity is prevalent is to judge wrongly and to be guilty of a myopic and narrow view. The vulnerable will need representation that is above anything else not only conversant with their plight but is also committed to ensure the community hears it as it is and is not offered some laundered view of contemporary society, that continues to offer us as equal and egalitarian.

Such a view of course breeds complacency and ignorance and offers no hope for a growing number in this country to progress to a point where they indeed enjoy real liberties and have a capacity to influence national progress. Currently with the ALP turning its back, these people are now contemplating their way forward and in one sense I can only say, a more diverse approach to our national politic will in the end benefit us all, not just those in need of a new voice.

Thank you.

Howard Emanuel - Bringing the People back into Policy!

www.HowardEmanuel.com

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: kris@howardemanuel.com

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