By Denis Hay
Introduction
Choosing politicians who prioritize social justice, public ownership, and anti-austerity measures can transform Australia’s political landscape. Jeremy Corbyn’s policies in the UK have shown that such values resonate with many voters, focusing on fair solutions and economic reform. This guide explores how Australia can adopt similar approaches, highlighting the popularity and feasibility of Corbyn’s policies in an Australian context.
The Current Political Landscape in Australia
Australia’s political system often prioritizes corporate interests and neoliberal policies over the needs of the general population. This trend has led to:
1. Increasing Inequality: Wealth distribution is becoming more skewed, with a growing gap between the rich and the poor.
2. Public Services Under Strain: Healthcare, education, and public infrastructure are underfunded, affecting the quality of services available to Australians.
3. Environmental Challenges: Insufficient action on climate change and environmental protection is putting future generations at risk.
Statistics Highlighting the Issue
– Income Inequality: The top 20% of households hold 63% of all wealth in Australia, while the bottom 20% hold just 1%.
– Healthcare Access: Over 700,000 Australians are on waiting lists for elective surgery.
– Climate Change: Australia has one of the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world.
The Need for Change
The growing dissatisfaction among Australians with the current political system highlights the urgent need for reform. People are increasingly aware that the status quo is unsustainable, leading to:
1. Public Outcry: Protests and movements demanding better policies and more accountability from politicians.
2. Voter Apathy: Declining voter turnout as people lose faith in the ability of politicians to address their concerns.
3. Youth Disengagement: Young Australians, facing uncertain futures, are particularly disillusioned with politics.
Emotional Impact
Imagine a future where public hospitals are adequately funded, ensuring prompt and high-quality healthcare for all Australians. Picture an education system where every student has access to free, quality education. Envision a country where environmental sustainability is prioritized, safeguarding the planet for future generations.
Adopting Corbyn’s Values in Australia
Policy Comparisons and Popularity with Australian Voters
1. Public Ownership
– Corbyn’s Policy: Nationalization of railways, energy companies, and water services.
– Australian Context: Australians have historically supported public ownership of essential services. For example, the successful operation of public healthcare under Medicare.
– Popularity: A survey by the Australia Institute found that 63% of Australians support public ownership of essential services.
2. Healthcare
– Corbyn’s Policy: Increase funding for the NHS and ensure comprehensive healthcare access.
– Australian Context: Strengthening Medicare and expanding services.
– Popularity: Over 80% of Australians support increased funding for public hospitals.
3. Education
– Corbyn’s Policy: Abolish tuition fees and reintroduce maintenance grants.
– Australian Context: Advocating for free tertiary education and better support for students.
– Popularity: A poll by the National Tertiary Education Union showed that 70% of Australians support free university education.
4. Welfare (Social Support)
– Corbyn’s Policy: Comprehensive welfare system to support vulnerable populations.
– Australian Context: Improving social welfare programs to ensure no Australian is left behind.
– Popularity: Australians broadly support welfare programs, with 65% believing the government should do more to help the disadvantaged.
5. Environment
– Corbyn’s Policy: Implementing a Green New Deal.
– Australian Context: Transitioning to renewable energy and taking robust action on climate change.
– Popularity: 85% of Australians believe the government should invest more in renewable energy.
Building a Political Movement
Grassroots Mobilization
– Community Organizing: Engage local communities through town halls, door-to-door campaigns, and public forums.
– Online Platforms: Use social media to spread the message, share success stories, and mobilize supporters.
– Youth Involvement: Encourage youth participation through targeted campaigns and youth-led initiatives.
Youth-Led Organizations and Initiatives
1. School Strike 4 Climate Australia
– Overview: A movement driven by students advocating for urgent action on climate change.
– Activities: Organizing strikes, protests, and awareness campaigns to push for climate policies.
– Website: School Strike 4 Climate Australia
2. Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC)
– Overview: A national organization of young people working together to solve the climate crisis.
– Activities: Campaigning for renewable energy, lobbying politicians, and community organizing.
– Website:AYCC
3. Oaktree
– Overview: A youth-led organization focused on ending poverty and promoting global equality.
– Activities: Advocacy, fundraising, and education programs to support international development.
– Website: Oaktree
4. The Tomorrow Movement
– Overview: A movement of young Australians fighting for a fair and sustainable future.
– Activities: Advocacy for climate justice, organizing events, and mobilizing communities.
– Website: The Tomorrow Movement
5. UN Youth Australia
– Overview: A youth organization that aims to educate and empower young Australians about global issues.
– Activities: Conferences, workshops, and international tours to engage young people in global affairs.
– Website: UN Youth Australia
Party Alignment
– Existing Parties: Work within progressive wings of major parties like the Australian Labor Party or the Greens.
– New Party Formation: Consider forming a new political party centred around Corbyn’s values if existing parties are resistant to change.
Influential Figures
Finding and supporting influential figures and like-minded groups can significantly boost the movement for electing politicians with Jeremy Corbyn’s values in Australia. Here are some key individuals and organizations to consider:
1. Individuals
– Sally McManus: Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), advocate for workers’ rights and social justice.
– Adam Bandt: Leader of the Australian Greens, known for his strong stance on environmental issues and social equity.
– Mehreen Faruqi: Australian Greens Senator, enthusiastic about education, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
2. Organizations
– Australian Greens: A political party that promotes social justice, environmental sustainability, and grassroots democracy.
– Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU): The peak body standing for workers’ interests, advocating for fair wages, workers’ rights, and social justice.
– GetUp!: An independent grassroots community advocacy organization focusing on environmental sustainability, economic fairness, and social justice.
– Friends of the Earth Australia: An environmental organization promoting social and environmental justice.
– The Australia Institute: A progressive think tank conducting research on economic, social, and environmental issues to influence public policy.
Campaign Strategies
Messaging and Communication
Crafting compelling messages is essential for communicating the benefits of Corbyn-like policies to the Australian public. Here are some examples:
1. Public Ownership
– “Imagine essential services like energy and water being run for the benefit of the public, not for profit. Public ownership ensures fair prices and reliable services for all Australians.”
– “Reclaim our resources! By nationalizing key industries, we can ensure that profits are reinvested into our communities, creating jobs and improving infrastructure.”
– “Public ownership means accountability. Let’s put control of our essential services back in the hands of the people, where it belongs.”
2. Free Education
– “Education should be a right, not a privilege. Free tertiary education opens doors for all Australians, creating a smarter, more innovative future.”
– “Investing in free education is investing in our future. By removing financial barriers, we ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
– “Let’s make Australia a leader in education again. Free university education means more skilled workers, stronger communities, and a thriving economy.”
3. Strong Environmental Action
– “Our planet is our home. Strong environmental action means clean air, clean water, and a sustainable future for our children.”
– “The time for action is now. By investing in renewable energy, we can create jobs, reduce emissions, and protect our environment for future generations.”
– “Australia can lead the way in fighting climate change. Bold environmental policies ensure a healthier planet and a prosperous future for all.”
Policy Proposals for Australia
Economic Policies
1. Job Creation
– Public Sector Jobs: Invest in public infrastructure projects to create employment opportunities.
– Green Jobs: Develop renewable energy sectors, providing jobs while addressing climate change.
2. Fair Taxation
– Progressive Tax Reforms: Implement a more progressive tax system to ensure the wealthy contribute their fair share.
– Tax Evasion Measures: Strengthen measures to combat tax evasion and close loopholes.
Social Policies
1. Affordable Housing
– Expanding Public Housing: Increase funding for public housing projects to provide affordable homes for all Australians.
– Rent Control: Implement rent control measures to protect tenants from excessive rent increases.
2. Healthcare Expansion
– Additional Funding: Increase funding for Medicare and public hospitals to improve healthcare services.
– Mental Health Services: Expand access to mental health services to ensure comprehensive care for all.
Environmental Policies
1. Renewable Energy
– Investing in Renewables: Prioritize investment in renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
– Transition Plans: Develop comprehensive plans to transition away from fossil fuels.
2. Climate Action Plans
– Comprehensive Strategies: Implement robust strategies to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
– International Cooperation: Work with other nations to address global environmental challenges.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Political Resistance
– Overcoming Opposition: Build a strong grassroots movement to counter opposition from major parties and corporate interests.
– Public Advocacy: Use public advocacy and lobbying to push for policy changes.
Public Perception
– Building Trust: Engage transparently with the public to build trust and show the benefits of proposed policies.
– Addressing Misconceptions: Use information and data to counteract misinformation and misconceptions.
Media Influence
– Fair Media Coverage: Advocate for fair and balanced media coverage of policies and political movements.
– Alternative Media: Use alternative media platforms to reach wider audiences and share unfiltered messages.
Case Studies and Success Stories
International Examples
– Norway: Successful nationalization of oil resources, helping the public.
– Germany: Implementation of a robust renewable energy policy leading to significant environmental benefits.
Australian Successes
– Medicare: Australia’s universal healthcare system providing quality healthcare to all citizens.
– Solar Energy Projects: Community-driven solar energy projects reducing carbon emissions and providing clean energy.
Summary
Choosing politicians with Jeremy Corbyn’s values in Australia can lead to a more fair, just, and sustainable society. By embracing policies focused on public ownership, comprehensive welfare, and robust environmental action, Australia can address its most pressing issues and ensure a better future for all its citizens.
Question for Readers
Do you believe that adopting policies like Jeremy Corbyn’s could improve Australia’s political and social landscape? Why or why not?
Call to Action
Join the movement for a more just and fairer Australia. Get involved in local politics, support candidates who share these values, and advocate for the changes you want to see.
Social Sharing
If you found this article valuable, please share it with your friends and family on social media. Together, we can create a brighter future for Australia.
Reference:
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Manifesto
This article was originally published on Social Justice Australia
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Dreaming… Can’t happen in Australia.
Political vision requires courage. Safety is found within the herd. Herds by definition usually act as one and do not seek out confrontation unless existentially challenged. Herd leaders act on behalf of the herd and do not, as a rule, set out to change the fundamental parameters of herd behaviour.
I don’t disagree with the premises outlined above, but Hotspringer is correct, it won’t happen in Australia. Some examples of social structures in other countries that could be evinced here but haven’t: free tuition in public universities in some European countries, e.g., Estonia & Germany; high speed rail, better quality road systems, along with removal of heavy transport from highways, Scandanavian countries for the best-practice aged care models; China for best-practice development of transport infrastructure along with uptake of renewable energy technologies, even Israel (shudder 🙁 ) for best-practice intensive agriculture in low rainfall environments.
Sixty years after its first publication, Donald Horne’s The Lucky Country still resonates; “Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck. It lives on other people’s ideas, and, although its ordinary people are adaptable, most of its leaders (in all fields) so lack curiosity about the events that surround them that they are often taken by surprise.”
It is sad if the above two comments come true. However, I do think the two-party system is beginning to be challenged, so we well see what happens when they lose their power.
Nothing intellectually creative and positive will happen here, not with enough aware support for the thinkers and hopers. Our better people with will, ideas, drive, tend to be ignored, insulted, often go abroad. Whitlam barely commenced, but was cut off by selfish interests and applied money, which directs policy, hidden and open. “We” want a schooner, a bet, that old T V show…
The policies of Corbyn as enunciated above are fine as are the comparatives with Oz stats. But there are many other policy areas not mentioned that go to running advanced globalized states. And those policy areas and ideological nuances invariably intervene in the purity and efficacy of enacting Corbyn’s five key policy areas. Ultimately, those interventions from within his own party created instability, keeping them from government, and ultimately saw his position weakened and then hatcheted.
As Canguro put it, there’s a herd mentality, and in times of substantial change, the herd can be spooked, and run amok mindlessly to exhaustion – much of what we’ve seen in democracies since the GFC, and increasingly through to the madness of the last, say, five years.
Inextricably states are reliant on and subject to influences from across the globe, and whilst those matters may be economically vital they may be damaging ecologically per se, and politically via nationalist retreat and multi-cultural upheaval, like for example Brexit and a roll-on psycho-epidemic and manifest brutalities such as Russia / Ukraine and Israel / Palestine. Culture wars at the expense of everything else. And regrettably, culture wars tend to run like wild horses.
All OECD states are subject to it, and are trying to keep a grip on the sensibilities while great global changes are afoot, and the wild horses are running. It is notable that the old imperia of Britain and France, and the hegemon United States are having most difficulties, whilst Oz may be fortunate in having a short history, the benefit of distance from Anglo-America, and the diametrical tug of Asia, indigenity, and our European roots to bring more of a balance. Mind you there’s a couple of undeserved resource and media oligopolies in Oz that need breaking up.
So, I’m not so sure about the effectiveness of the project currently, particularly given the current propensity of the Oz opposition to divisive madness and our mainstream media to feckless sensation provocation. However, the project could be a good calming reminder of the policy fundamentals we should aspire to, if only we could find sufficient strong people to carry it.
There are better examples or more competent types to implement such an agenda, from the centre, than Corbyn, why?
He repeatedly defied the Labour whip when sitting in the back benches during Blair government, maybe respresenting his urban Labour electorate but not the broader Labour and related electorate.
When leader he did not support Brexit, nor Remain in the EU; his ‘leadership’ was partly responsible for allowing Theresa May and the Tories to prevail electorally by not attracting the centre and/or centre right.
Faux anti-imperialist tankie of the left as is his advisor Seamus Milne (member of Putin’s Valdai Club), like too many Tories, have been up to their necks in Russian influence, according to Vatnik Soup e.g. initially offering little if any support for Ukraine vs Russia’s invasion.
Gee wiz, what’s wrong with a bit of socialism, what’s wrong with ensuring that those who are the least or considered as such by those with the most get what they need, what’s wrong with empowering people through education and activism.
What’s wrong with providing world class health systems for the sick, the elderly, the injured.
Probably what’s wrong with that is that those with the most may have to give a little of their large lot to benefit the unworthy lazy people who cannot lift themselves up by their bootstraps because they have even stolen their boot straps.
Politicians are to enamored by the wealth of the tycoons who want more and more, who deplore the idea that workers unite to get a fairer deal, who hate the idea that kids are taught to think, to reason and become ambitious beyond their designated stations.
Can we find people of courage and conviction to meet those objectives to become politicians, leaders, activists?
I hope the answer is YES.
It did happen a couple of times here, in 1972 Gough Whitlam became Prime Minister and in 2010 we got Julia Gillard as Prime Minister.
Both achieved great legislative results which were dismantled by incoming Liberal governments. Both had visions which were fair, reasonable and recognised the needs of the least in our nation. Both lost power due to the fears of the rich and powerful who thought they may not have as big a portion of the pie as they want, and are never satisfied with.
“Toe the party line or look out!”
An excellent article expressing my political opinions & stance much better than I could have done. Thank you Denis Hay.
But sadly, the mediocrity claiming to lead our society lack most of the skills necessary to realise these ”dreams”.
”Choosing politicians who prioritize social justice, public ownership, and anti-austerity measures can transform Australia’s political landscape.”
But will Murdoch Media Monopoly and their neo-liarbral cohort stomp on individual leadership to impose their preferred neo-feudalism whereby a few rich old dudes cling on the financial and political reins to prevent others from working for the benefit of the common wealth?
There’s nothing wrong with those things Bert, except that the RW media and their corporate masters won’t let it happen.
Once again, I find myself compelled to outline a dissenting view.
Corbyn’s agenda very much reads like a warmed-up version of the post-WW Keynesian compact of developmental states everywhere: dirigisme in France, Soziale Marktwirtschaft in Germany, club government in the UK, New Deal in the US …
It began running up against its own limits at the end of the 60s (68 student revolution), the early 70s (oil crisis), and the “stagflation” which overshadowed that decade and directly lead to the implementation of neo-liberal economics everywhere, including in Australia under Hawke and Keating.
Of course, nearly five decades of neo-liberal economic mismanagement has generated massive public-policy problems which will need a fair bit of “developmental state” attention.
But it is necessary to keep an eye peeled for the implications of developmental state agendas once again running up against their own limits.
And it is necessary to look at the difficulties of financing these state agendas. Keir Starmer is negotiating the co-opting of private investment wealth – which I find very problematic. And I am not the only one:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/02/labour-plans-britain-private-finance-blackrock