Somehow our timid democracy trundles on
09 February 2023
CHRIS OVERLAND
ADELAIDE - Even though any objective survey of modern Australian politics leads to despondency, we should bear in mind that the two biggest spending political parties performed rather badly at the last election.
Also, perhaps we should bear in mind that spending by our political parties is dwarfed by the colossal sums spent in the USA, where money doesn't just talk, it positively shrieks.
So, as bad as it is, Australia's democracy trundles on, made at least semi-wholesome by the tendency of Australians to regard politics and politicians with suspicion and, sometimes, outright contempt.
Cheerily, as the conservatives drift ever further to the right, seeing fit to praise flawed men like the recently deceased Cardinal George Pell (who a former prime minister would like to sanctify), the hole they are digging for themselves gets ever deeper.
In particular, young people seem to be giving up on the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal-National coalition in greater numbers.
All this bodes well for the future, provided the ALP does not succumb to the 'woke' elements in the party and elevate its concerns above those of ‘ordinary Australians', whoever they may be.
I am trying desperately to be more upbeat about politics and the future, even though I think 'Western civilisation' is currently doing rather badly and, as a consequence, the forces of autocracy are feeling encouraged.
The truth is that our procession of leaders since 2007 has spent too much time procrastinating, prevaricating and muddling around.
The absence of clarity of thought about critical issues and the lack of decisiveness in action are conspicuous in a host of ways.
Policy timidity is the hallmark of the so-called ‘progressives’.
The conservative right seems determined to move in ways that are resolutely wrong even as they meet the demands of their irrational base of neo-liberals, conspiracy theorists and evidence deniers.
All this is reminiscent of years before World War II, albeit perhaps not quite so bad.
Hesitant as their support may be, at least the democratic world is enabling Ukraine to confront Vladimir Putin before he has become the mighty, maniacal modern equivalent of Adolf Hitler.
I just wish they would realise that Ukraine must be enabled to win, not to merely not lose.
Anyway, all this is beyond our control, so perhaps just focusing on the footy and cricket is the best strategy.
Certainly, most of our fellow citizens seem to think so - and they may well be right.
I think it will be the election after the next one that will create a really interesting situation, Bruce.
By then there should be a large number of independents in government and two major parties that cannot get the numbers to form government.
What that is likely to devolve into is a situation very similar to Papua New Guinea where members wheel and deal for power, i.e., a buyers' market.
In other words an omnishambles!
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 23 April 2024 at 12:57 PM
Hi Chris - I came across this article by accident looking for old time stories on rugby league in Port Moresby (I lived there from 1968-75 when not at boarding school in Sydney).
I agree with you 100%. Both major parties are a huge disappointment, interested only in either retaining power or seeking power. The searching vision and great ideas are nowhere to be seen.
It gets worse. Both parties are hidebound to their donors (who play both sides) and hundreds of lobbyists determined that the status quo - from which they have benefitted enormously for the past 10, 20, 30, 40 years - never changes.
Young folk are being screwed every which way, but their time is coming. The 2025 election is looming as a ground-breaker & record-breaker. Labor will probably retain party only by minority govt. Young voters are deserting both major parties.
At any other time Albanese and Labor would be gone at the next election. But Dutton and Coalition are even more unelectable.
The Greens and Teals will hold the balance of power going into the future. Interesting times.
Posted by: Bruce Sheekey | 22 April 2024 at 02:15 PM