The revolution we have to have

But what of the economic policies, for example, taxes? One would hope that the trend to cut taxes further will cease, particularly because most citizens are prepared to pay more taxes for better services: new transport infrastructure; better hospitals and Medicare; free and excellent education; affordable childcare; and many other public services. Taxpayers would prefer more research and investment in protecting the environment and managing water needs as a higher priority than lowering taxes.

The investment climate would hopefully move away from the often-disastrous public private partnerships and costly contracting out practices. The private equity financing strategy, the latest fad of economic rationalism and globalisation, should be subjected to the most stringent scrutiny imaginable if not abolished altogether.

The strengthening of the now powerless Foreign Investment (Advisory) Board would be a welcome development.

The ALP should address the bizarre situation that Australian farmers’ organisations, the National Party and the Coalition require farmers to export on an uneven playing field while powerful economic blocks like the US and the EU happily subsidise their farmers to the hilt. Efficient farmers have gone to the wall as a result. Australian Governments should match the foreign subsidies to create a level playing field.