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Labor is broken, the Coalition is hiding. But they are not the same Labor is broken, the Coalition is hiding. But they are not the same
(12 days later)
What a dispiriting election campaign it has been. Over five weeks, voters have been ignored, patronised and taken for granted. It’s always a mistake to say that “all politicians are the same” – they never are. But there can be few elections where the choice is as uninspiring as this.What a dispiriting election campaign it has been. Over five weeks, voters have been ignored, patronised and taken for granted. It’s always a mistake to say that “all politicians are the same” – they never are. But there can be few elections where the choice is as uninspiring as this.
The opposition leader, Tony Abbott, and the Coalition have chosen to treat the democratic process with contempt, presumably because the polls, clearly pointing to their victory, make them believe they can. They have comprehensively evaded scrutiny, with no policy costings until 48 hours before the ballot. For months, there has been a blank space where their policies should be; candidates have been discouraged from speaking to the media and even from attending forums in their own communities; access has been denied to journalists who don’t toe the party line.The opposition leader, Tony Abbott, and the Coalition have chosen to treat the democratic process with contempt, presumably because the polls, clearly pointing to their victory, make them believe they can. They have comprehensively evaded scrutiny, with no policy costings until 48 hours before the ballot. For months, there has been a blank space where their policies should be; candidates have been discouraged from speaking to the media and even from attending forums in their own communities; access has been denied to journalists who don’t toe the party line.
The Coalition has been steadied by a new Tony Abbott whose ruthless focus is in contrast to his past reputation for ill-discipline. His paid parental leave scheme, which rewards the wealthiest most, is at least an attempt to rectify his poor record when it comes to women. But really the Coalition has been relying on the exhausted electorate’s distrust of Labor after their self-obsessed infighting, and the view that it’s time someone else had a go. But do those voting for Tony Abbott really prefer Christopher Pyne to Bill Shorten, Andrew Robb to Penny Wong, Peter Dutton to Tanya Plibersek? Are they really happy to lay waste to Australia’s unique environment, just because it feels like someone else’s turn? Are they not alarmed by hints at spending cuts that go as far as austerity, which has wreaked such devastation in Europe?The Coalition has been steadied by a new Tony Abbott whose ruthless focus is in contrast to his past reputation for ill-discipline. His paid parental leave scheme, which rewards the wealthiest most, is at least an attempt to rectify his poor record when it comes to women. But really the Coalition has been relying on the exhausted electorate’s distrust of Labor after their self-obsessed infighting, and the view that it’s time someone else had a go. But do those voting for Tony Abbott really prefer Christopher Pyne to Bill Shorten, Andrew Robb to Penny Wong, Peter Dutton to Tanya Plibersek? Are they really happy to lay waste to Australia’s unique environment, just because it feels like someone else’s turn? Are they not alarmed by hints at spending cuts that go as far as austerity, which has wreaked such devastation in Europe?
Labor, meanwhile, has been in chaos, with unworkable policies apparently made up on the spot, from low tax zones in the north to an expressed “unease” about foreign investment in the land. Its “PNG solution”, which effectively bans refugees from arriving in Australia by boat, shocked the world and, rather than winning Labor the election, as some claimed at the time, instead shifted discourse on the subject dramatically to the right. It is a nasty and deeply shaming policy which would make any progressive voter hesitate before voting for Labor. Kevin Rudd himself is no longer loved by the population, but his later-life conversion to the cause of gay marriage is welcome. And on most policies Labor is stronger: the NBN (what kind of news organisation wouldn’t support the fastest possible internet?), Gillard’s gains in education and disability, and the globally-admired economy, with 22 years of uninterrupted growth.Labor, meanwhile, has been in chaos, with unworkable policies apparently made up on the spot, from low tax zones in the north to an expressed “unease” about foreign investment in the land. Its “PNG solution”, which effectively bans refugees from arriving in Australia by boat, shocked the world and, rather than winning Labor the election, as some claimed at the time, instead shifted discourse on the subject dramatically to the right. It is a nasty and deeply shaming policy which would make any progressive voter hesitate before voting for Labor. Kevin Rudd himself is no longer loved by the population, but his later-life conversion to the cause of gay marriage is welcome. And on most policies Labor is stronger: the NBN (what kind of news organisation wouldn’t support the fastest possible internet?), Gillard’s gains in education and disability, and the globally-admired economy, with 22 years of uninterrupted growth.
Inequality and poverty have barely been discussed; no one is talking about the disadvantaged, such as the unemployed, whose benefits even the Business Council considers too low, or single mothers, or Indigenous equality. There has been near-silence, too, on climate, even though Australia has more than most to lose from rising temperatures. Mr Abbott’s Direct Action policy is next to useless; Labor has failed to make the case for its emissions trading scheme. The Greens have at least attempted some kind of vision in this area, and also on asylum – Christine Milne’s barely-controlled fury at the closing of Australia to refugees arriving by boat was a big moment, a rare expression of genuine political passion.Inequality and poverty have barely been discussed; no one is talking about the disadvantaged, such as the unemployed, whose benefits even the Business Council considers too low, or single mothers, or Indigenous equality. There has been near-silence, too, on climate, even though Australia has more than most to lose from rising temperatures. Mr Abbott’s Direct Action policy is next to useless; Labor has failed to make the case for its emissions trading scheme. The Greens have at least attempted some kind of vision in this area, and also on asylum – Christine Milne’s barely-controlled fury at the closing of Australia to refugees arriving by boat was a big moment, a rare expression of genuine political passion.
But among many voters, quite reasonably, there is a feeling of apathy and exhaustion. The parliament doesn’t look like Australia – the Coalition front bench has hardly any women, there is only one Indigenous Australian in parliament, very few Asian Australians, very few openly gay MPs. And when no one offers a vision for a better society, you’re left with a “what can you do for me?” kind of politics, which leads to atomisation and anger. Democratic argument has been reduced to a series of gaffes, “daggy dad” sexist moments (some probably carefully planned in advance), no-shows and banality. What will it take to rediscover a more inspiring politics for Australia?But among many voters, quite reasonably, there is a feeling of apathy and exhaustion. The parliament doesn’t look like Australia – the Coalition front bench has hardly any women, there is only one Indigenous Australian in parliament, very few Asian Australians, very few openly gay MPs. And when no one offers a vision for a better society, you’re left with a “what can you do for me?” kind of politics, which leads to atomisation and anger. Democratic argument has been reduced to a series of gaffes, “daggy dad” sexist moments (some probably carefully planned in advance), no-shows and banality. What will it take to rediscover a more inspiring politics for Australia?
Depressing though it is, this is nevertheless a vote that must be taken seriously, as much is at stake. Labor is broken; the Liberals are hiding – but they are not the same. Mr Abbott has asked the Australian people to trust him, but he doesn’t trust them enough to give them the facts they need to make an informed decision. Those who choose the Coalition because they think Labor don’t deserve it might soon feel regret; those who vote on Saturday for change may be surprised what that change entails.Depressing though it is, this is nevertheless a vote that must be taken seriously, as much is at stake. Labor is broken; the Liberals are hiding – but they are not the same. Mr Abbott has asked the Australian people to trust him, but he doesn’t trust them enough to give them the facts they need to make an informed decision. Those who choose the Coalition because they think Labor don’t deserve it might soon feel regret; those who vote on Saturday for change may be surprised what that change entails.
But we are not going to try to tell you how to vote. Guardian Australia believes in encouraging many different voices, never just one. We are a truly independent news organisation – without a proprietor seeking political influence, without shareholders expecting quick returns, without chairmen with political axes to grind. In a digital age, news organisations which pronounce from on high the way their readers should vote are an anachronism. Digital media is more of a conversation with our readers, an ongoing dialogue, a collaboration. So tell us: who do you think has a better vision for Australian society? Who do you trust to govern the country over the next three years? How will you vote on Saturday?But we are not going to try to tell you how to vote. Guardian Australia believes in encouraging many different voices, never just one. We are a truly independent news organisation – without a proprietor seeking political influence, without shareholders expecting quick returns, without chairmen with political axes to grind. In a digital age, news organisations which pronounce from on high the way their readers should vote are an anachronism. Digital media is more of a conversation with our readers, an ongoing dialogue, a collaboration. So tell us: who do you think has a better vision for Australian society? Who do you trust to govern the country over the next three years? How will you vote on Saturday?
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