This is my very first post in my first ever blog.
Over the coming weeks and months I hope to make regular contributions on politics, economics, books that I have read, and any other subject that interests me. Reading and writing is one way that I try to make sense of the world, and understand the way it operates. Being active in social causes, for refugees and against war and racism, is the practical way to combat the many injustices that are prevalent today.
I hope I can live up to the example of my hero, my late father, Vahak Savoulian (1934-2009) a scholar, gentleman, pan-Arab nationalist and socialist humanitarian.
I would like you to analyse and comment on Julia Gillard's minority government, and the impact this will have on the many legislations that will have to pass (or not) through Parliament. Personally I do not think this 'minority' government will last for the full term.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also think that the Labour-Minority government will not last the full term. But I do not think that is the main issue; the main issue for me is the rightwing trajectory (indeed stampede) of the Gillard government since she took office.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as she came to power after the June 24 coup that deposed Rudd, (yes I call it a coup), she reaffirmed Canberra's commitment to the illegal wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, promoted anti-refugee hysteria by advocating 'border protection', gave credibility to anti-immigrant xenophobia by calling for a 'sustaintable population' which implicitly blames migrants and refugee for Australia's economic and social problems; and significantly, cancelled the proposed mining tax and had it redrafted in cooperation with the chiefs of the large multinational mining corporations.
Now the independents are certainly not irrelevant; on the contrary they provide some kind of accountability to ensure that Labour does not simply ram through their proposed legislation. And the surge in the Greens vote was encouraging, as more people demonstrated their discontent with both the major parties. For further discussion, see this article from the Socialist Alliance:
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=1026
The concern about stability I think reflects the worries of big business to have a government capable of pushing through the austerity measures, privatisation of public services and cuts to social spending that are the mainstays of a neoliberal agenda.