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.