The revolution we have to have

Also some dysfunctional aspects of the Westminster system should be removed, two in particular:

• fusion between the government and the legislature; and
• very limited choice of competent ministers.

Citizens cannot be ministers unless they are elected to Parliament as MPs. This virtually ensures that ministers are functional amateurs. In addition, an undesirable fusion exists between legislative and executive powers. Thus the political executives completely dominate the legislature.

In a Westminster type Parliament the choice from which to recruit a ministry is limited to the MPs of the governing party or coalition. In Australia, federally, that adds up to a mere 110-120 MPs - a narrow choice considering about 30 ministerial posts have to be filled. In all other systems the choice is much wider, i.e. any eligible citizen outside the Parliament. Not surprisingly the competence of ministers, both at the federal and state levels, leaves much to be desired. Could this be a major factor why politicians enjoy such low esteem in Australia? There is big case for reform here.

The Republic should be back on the agenda and many other constitutional changes should be part of a strategic, maximalist approach towards change.

The ALP minimalism has got it nowhere. If it wants to make an impact it should identify areas for constitutional change well beyond replacing the Queen with a President. The ALP’s current republic policy is woefully inadequate.

US dependency

The often-astonishing subservience towards the US by Australia’s Government is a distinct hindrance on the way to becoming an independent Australian Republic and to achieving more fruitful relations with Asian and Pacific countries. Australia’s participation as a partner in the Coalition of the Willing in the Iraq War, which is opposed by the majority of the population, has exposed the relationship with the US as counterproductive.

The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement with the US, opposed by many community groups, is another case in point. The ANZUS Treaty, based on the fears of the Cold War, has long been overtaken by events.

The various defence and intelligence arrangements with the US supposedly have the same purpose, to tie the US in with Australia as “insurance”. But why should Australia be involved in the many US foreign policies follies?

Is the ALP going to take an independent position worthy of a Republic or will this neo-colonial relationship endure in its foreign policy package? Surely, the time for a bold change is overdue.

Economy

The economy looks in good shape but it isn’t. The resources boom is an economy in itself and puts a gloss on the total economy which is suffering and is highly vulnerable to interest rates, inflation and overseas trends. Rudd had this to say recently: “all these booms come to an end and, … I've got to say, Australia wants a bigger vision for its economic future than being China's quarry and Japan's beach.”

The very high private sector foreign debt has the making of a bubble that could burst. Similarly, the record personal debt levels could suddenly trigger a downward spiral with dire consequences. The unemployment levels are not really good because there are a very large number of underemployed persons while others work long hours. Many skilled workers are not available for some segments of the economy. The inequality of incomes has grown strongly in recent years and social justice has suffered.