Differences
between PLP and other parties:
The
Australian Democrats and One Nation
- The Australian Democrats do have some sensible policies
but when put to the test they regrettably fail to stand
up to the economic rationalism pursued by the major
parties. Questionable recent compromises, which have
adversely effected the majority of the Australian people,
include the Workplace Relations Act ,when Cheryl Kernot
was leader, and the GST cave-in under Meg Lees. This
demonstrates a lack of political resolve. The philosophy
that they want to "keep the bastards honest"
should be replaced by "throwing the bastards
out" if the Democrats are to gain further support.
To position themselves in-between the major parties is
almost impossible. What's the difference between the two
major parties? In contrast the PLP has clearly positioned
itself to the left of the ALP.
- The One Nation emergence is a direct result of two-party
domination and economic rationalist policies which has
benefited mainly the top 10% to 20% of income earners
(the rich) and hurt many other sections of the
population, in particular eg. in the bush and in the
poorer suburbs of the major cities. One Nation has been
helped greatly by the massive exposure (although
generally negative) given to it by the mainstream media
who at the same time have systematically refused to give
the PLP any exposure since its inception three years ago.
One Nation supporters looked for and found scapegoats:
the migrants, Aborigines, Asians, etc. The real
explanation for their woes is deep-seated disenchantment
with growing political and economic exclusion. The
grievances of the victims are real and understandable.
There is no doubt that class divisions in Australia have
been reinforced by economic rationalist policies over the
last 15 years. The NO vote in the Republic Referendum can
also be explained as a vote against professional,
political and corporates elites who benefit quite
unfairly from such policies at the expense of most other
Australians. However, what are One Nation's policies in
respect of these class benefits and the system from which
they spring? What are its tax policies, industrial
relations, foreign affairs, reform of the political
system and the constitution? What will One Nation really
do for Australia's unemployed, the working class and
middle class wage earners? How democratic is its own
organisation? Or WAS its organisation?
The implosion of One Nation is in full progress in 2000.
but the problems that gave rise to its emergence are very
obvious and remain as they are not being addressed by the
major parties. The PLP has grown very steadily and much
time has been spent by its members on policy formation -
and attempting to interest the media to provide
reasonable coverage for them. The lesson of One Nation
has not been learnt by the proprietors of the media
either. However, the PLPs policies address the very
causes of Australia's woes and, unlike One Nation, the
Party is neither dependent on the populism that fuelled
that ill-fated experience nor the commercial media.