Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

NSW Labor's diseased ethics

By Tony Smith - posted Thursday, 7 February 2013


The architects of this approach might claim that the party had to change or face disaster. But under their influence, Labor embraced economic restructuring, the privatisation of the Commonwealth Bank, deregulation of telephone services, emasculation of the CSIRO, exportation of jobs, abandonment of free education, destruction of railways, and de-unionisation of both the party and the general workforce.

When public assets are alienated, the public has good reason to feel betrayed.

When Gillard announced that a federal election would be held in September, Opposition Leader Abbott said that the campaign would be about trust. One third of the House of Representatives seats are in New South Wales, so federal Labor will hope that local troubles do not influence voters unduly.

Advertisement

The ethical credibility of the Coalition parties is also questionable. For example, the O'Farrell Government's decision to allow recreational shooting in National Parks is a cynical manoeuvre to secure upper house votes. It seems unlikely though that voters will punish mere cynicism when they have the sitting ducks at ICAC available.

It will be an interesting contest as luminaries of the Labor Right try to convince voters that they should reject Abbott, despite their growing affinity with his policy leanings and political style.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

This article was first published in Eureka Street.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

14 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Tony Smith is a writer living in country New South Wales. He holds a PhD in political science and has had articles and reviews published in various newspapers, periodicals and journals. He contributed a poem 'Evil equations' to an anthology of anti-war poems delivered to the Prime Minister on the eve of war.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Tony Smith

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Tony Smith
Article Tools
Comment 14 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy