Election reflections

The Left and Centre-Left need continue to emphasise that - based on their own statements - the Liberals would have seen Australia going into recession had they been in government. Despite the electoral outcome the ALP made up significant ground on the theme of “economic management” during the campaign. There was a movement away from neo-liberal consensus - and the credibility of neo-liberal ideology. There is a need to hammer this home as well.

In the long run contesting this narrative is amongst the most important of challenges, because if progressives don't do this then Left and Centre-Left forces in this country will be on the back foot - and possibly out of government - for a very long time.

The broad-Left also needs to focus on so-called “working class Tories” or “Howard's battlers”. It's unavoidable that some working people will be socially conservative, but there’s a need for a clearer appeal to economic and class interests to undermine this base of support for the Liberals.

In the election aftermath there are also other issues Labor must address.

The prospects of a minority Labor government are not yet “dead”.

Ex-National Bob Katter might hold the key to who forms government in Australia. We know he's a protectionist and so may try and use his position to get protection for Australian agriculture. But can he hold onto this in the long term? (Any hung parliament is unlikely to last.) This gives him an incentive for a long-term deal with Labor.

What if Labor offered a long-term deal that “locks agricultural protection in” for more than a decade, and delivers infrastructure to the bush (funded via the mining tax). This would be in return for consistent ongoing support elsewhere.

Katter has also been a long-time critic of privatisation: and his opposition to any sale of Medibank Private - as well as a preference for a public National Broadband Network - could also provide some common ground.

Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor may also be swayed in return increased spending on regional and rural infrastructure - financed via the mining tax - and locked in for a long-term deal. Without the mining tax, though, such resources would be very hard to find.

These independents could also be swayed with a commitment by Labor to “go the full term”; and by the prospect of stability stemming from co-operation between Labor and the Greens in the Senate: something Abbott cannot deliver.

The Greens should be offered something in return for their support also. Implementation of their proposed $4.3 billion dental health scheme could be a very good start. That and the $2 billion commitment they want for Education. Some robust compromise on climate change will also be necessary. Understandably - delivering meaningfully on the environment is crucial for Greens credibility.

Aged Care and Disability services are core concerns for Andrew Wilkie - who looks set to become the independent member for the Tasmanian seat of Denison. Wilkie has made it clear that neither party should take his support for granted and even Labor would have to deliver if it wants his support.