The wrongs of an inequitable budget

Crime will also likely escalate as a consequence of desperate inequality; but this insight is to be ignored for the sake of a warped, and ultimately immoral, notion of 'meritocracy'. How this 'meritocracy' is meant to work without real equality of opportunity (especially in education); and while there is 'hyper-exploitation' of the working poor; and amidst 'windfall' inheritances in the most privileged families - is not really considered by today's Conservative Ideologues. It is 'an inconvenient truth'.

In Hockey's 'grand statement' to the 'Sydney Institute' those designated as 'leaners' are to be reviled. There are Aged Pensioners (who have largely paid taxes their whole working lives). And yet no mention of some self-funded retirees – whose liquid assets alone can range well over a $1 million – but who receive enormous superannuation tax concessions. The total bill of those concessions will soon cost the nation over $40 billion a year. As Richard Denniss of the Australia Institute observes: "the top 5 per cent of income earners get a third of the benefit, and the bottom 20 per cent get literally nothing."

Then there are the disabled. Underlying resentment against Disability Support Pensions is the notion, for instance, that 'mental illness' is not to be seen in the same way as 'extreme physical disability'. We're talking about people with anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder...something Andrew Robb could probably advise the Parliamentary Liberal Party about: and yet from a cursory web-search he does not appear to have done so.

Often the ability of these disability pensioners to work is intermittent at best. And the underlying assumption that they are to be looked upon suspiciously – as 'rorters'. Hence 'Disabilitywatch' has noted moves by the Federal Government to 'tighten up' assessment for eligibility, including 'work for the pension' for those deemed able to work at least 8 hours a week. (now to be reduced from 15 hours a week) But arguably if a person is living in poverty due to disability, and may be capable (intermittently) of some work, then perhaps their payments could be complemented fairly in return for voluntary community work, without the threat of losing that pension altogether. Instead we are getting another dose of labour conscription – this time for some of the most vulnerable of all.

In conclusion: a movement is building against the 'Robin Hood in Reverse' Budget of Abbott, Hockey and Cormann. In Melbourne the day before this article was written the 'Bust the Budget' rally amassed around 20,000 attendees – perhaps more. The 'Your Rights at Work' campaign against John Howard's aggressively in-egalitarian 'Work Choices' labour market legislation attracted the support of millions. Today the same is possible if we stand collectively against the Conservatives' cynical ploy to 'divide and rule' the country.

Yet Opposition Labor Party leader Bill Shorten is 'treading lightly' around Joe Hockey's appeal to divide the nation – a 'nation at war with itself'; a war of so-called 'lifters' against so-called 'leaners'. So far he refuses to reject this characterisation of Australian society outright.

Labor cannot accept a political discourse which is propagated on the Liberals' terms. Labor needs to respond to Hockey with its own powerful narrative: of a society based on mutual and reciprocal social solidarity. This means promoting social security and social justice through a range of measures including labour market regulation, welfare, a progressive tax mix, the social wage, and various forms of 'collective consumption'. Not a society of 'absolute equality of outcomes' – but a FAIR and JUST society!

In a practical sense that must mean a decisive break on the part of Labor with the mindset of 'small government'. Labor must 'go on the policy offensive': advocating both old and new policies. That includes Gonski and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. But it must also include National Aged Care Insurance and Comprehensive Medicare Dental, amongst range of other policies. The way is open for a progressive counter-offensive mobilising millions. Labor, the unions, the welfare sector, and all progressive social movements - must seize the initiative.