This dam had to burst after the election. And it will do so at just the time when the econocrats are telling Labor the budget deficit must go down,not up.
What was it Paul Keating used to say about excrement sandwiches? Come on down,Albo.
But all is not lost. For a start,on expensive and controversial reforms,Albanese should follow the aforementioned Eslake’sadvice and copy John Howard. He got elected in 1996 with a promise to “never,ever” introduce a goods and services tax. So he made an honourable escape by having such a tax fully developed for presentation at thenext election.
It was approved – by a whisker. As Eslake reminds us,not since 1931 has any first-term federal government failed to secure a second term.
“Labor needs in its first term to lay the groundwork for a more expansive mandate for its second term,” Eslake recommends.
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Next,Labor does have a mandate – both direct and indirect,via the higher votes for the Greens and teal independents – to proceed with climate action,an anti-corruption commission “with teeth”,gender equality,and commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart “in full”.
Except for climate action,none of these historic reforms will greatly trouble the budget accountants.
However,as Professor Mark Kenny,of the Australian National University (but formerly of this parish),has helped ussee,this election was about something deeper:“The urgent need to rescue longstanding governing norms around transparency,accountability,ministerial standards,trust and honesty and,of course,the viability of the public service.”
Morrison’s approach,he says,was “divide and dither”. “Accountable government,national unity,evidence-based policy,and democratic accountability[whether voters give his performance a tick or a cross] are all on the ballot at this election.”
Let’s get personal. The biggest reason Albanese is now PM is that he’s not Scott Morrison. The biggest policy question in this election,the one almost everyone in the great majority whodidn’t vote for the Coalition wholeheartedly endorsed,was:“would you like to see no more of Scotty from marketing?”
It’s simple. The surest way for Albanese to ensure his re-election is to be a better,more likeable PM than that other one.
Just be more truthful,more respectful,more humble,more answerable,more willing to admit your mistakes,more inclusive,more even-handed,more charitable towards the needy,more willing to answer the question,and more protective of Australia’s reputation abroad.
Be less prevaricating,less divisive,less bulldozer-like,less willing to help mates and punish enemies,and less unable to let that five-letter S-word pass your lips unqualified.
I think Albanese’s already got that message.
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“I want to bring people together and I want to change the way that politics is conducted in this country,” he’s said. Australians have “conflict fatigue”.
Being a saintly prime minister won’t be easy. But think of it this way:conduct-wise,being ScoMo’s successor won’t be a hard act to follow.
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