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Wither the working class

By Kerry Corke - posted Thursday, 31 March 2011


And so it showed in Newcastle seats such as Charlestown (24.8% swing) and Campbelltown (20.5% swing) amongst others.

The Hunter and the Illawarra no longer have the industrial bases of times of yore, making it more receptive to the safe conservatism of Barry O'Farrell whilst the inner city is turning Green.

The glue that bound the 'labour movement' – a wish to express solidarity with the working class – has lost its power to bind, as 'progressive' voters become more interested in more abstract concerns such as 'social justice' and the erstwhile members of the working class no longer feel…..well…..working class.

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This massive rejection of 26 March means the question of 'what does Labor mean in the 21st century mean?' will broadly resonate, with possible federal ramifications.

The Prime Minister attempted to set a new middle ground on which to establish the ALP In her Don Dunstan Foundation speech of 16 March 2011.

In the immediate context of arguing why its carbon reduction policies are important, she framed Labor as being between the coalition and the greens:

Neither of the extremes in Australian politics can deliver this reform (carbon reduction).

The Coalition has surrendered itself to fear-mongering and denying the power of markets.

The Greens are not a party of government and have no tradition of striking the balance required to deliver major reform.

She went on to say:

Like the economic transformation of the 1980s, this is a reform that can only be handled in the progressive Labor tradition……

In all of this, we draw strength from enduring Labor values:

Protecting jobs – always our first commitment.

A sustainable environment for future generations – an environment with less carbon pollution.

Reform with equity, looking after those who need a helping hand.

And accepting a scientific world-view in a community of reason.

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For the sake of her party, this restatement of the ALP as the brokerage party of Australian politics had best resonate with sufficient numbers of electors.

It will otherwise face a slow descent into irrelevance, stuck between two world views based more on lifestyle than anything else, better reflecting the binary political divide of this century's Australia than the labour/capital divide of the last.

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About the Author

Kerry Corke is principal of K.M. Corke and Associates, a Canberra based public law consultancy.

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