Federal Labor had a cracking week of reform, something that even the last prime minister (Liberal) admitted was their thing.
Notable laws passed this week alone include the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Secure Jobs Better Pay, and Respect at Work.
The Liberal pick for the President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal also resigned.
It’s just one of many partisan appointments made over the years, which raise questions around the independence and integrity of our institutions.
Labor also last week censured former Liberal PM Scott Morrison for his secret seizure of ministry powers that damaged our precious and endangered democracy.
The one use of those secret powers – that the public know about – was to approve a contentious gas project off the NSW coast.
As the only PM ever to face a censure, Morrison responded like all narcissists do, and said if it wasn’t for his swift action to place himself at the centre of the problem, the place would have fallen apart.
Upon his censure, Morrison had sycophantic Liberal MPs line up to shake his hand in solidarity.
The only notable Liberal MP who didn’t ‘kiss the ring’ was Liberal MP Bridget Archer.
Anyway, as a political dumpster fire goes, the Liberals are tops.
With their continual decline as a political force, and an unwillingness to move with the times, it’s actually hard to focus on the party who are in power.
Fun fact – Labor not only occupies the federal parliament, but every state and territory parliament, except Tasmania and NSW.
December 2 also marked 50 years since Labor’s Gough Whitlam won a historic 1972 federal election.
That win led to free university education, sewers built in capital cities, a family law court, and the removal of the luxury sales tax on the pill, just to name a few reforms.
Yes, it was where rainbows emerged, and unicorns and fairies also pranced around in the knowledge that the dark and regressive 23 years of the Liberal-Nationals government was behind us.
The foundations for modern Australia had begun.
And the last decade, under the Liberal-Nationals, it stalled.
Just as well we are the lucky country. Not that smart, just lucky.
While it is refreshing that Labor are getting on with stuff while being ignored by mainstream media, the incarceration of Julian Assange is one issue that will continue to cast a shadow over Australian politics.
Albo’s response this week was to say he’s spoken to high level people within the US government.
Presumably he told them he’s unhappy. What wedge or bargaining chip is up your sleeve, Albo?
California’s GDP is larger than Australia’s, so good luck.
Hans Lovejoy, editor
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