This article by Alan Kohler on the weekend about how the problems in the Liberal Party evolved, and what it can possibly do to resolve them, is very good.
He notes that the merger of the party with the Nationals in Queensland is a large part of the problem, given, as we know, how hot weather scrambles political brains and makes them more prone to nutty versions of conservatism. (See the American South, and Northern Australia.) Maybe Russia disproves that - but it's a weird place going back centuries. Damn, Singapore probably disproves the case too - as although the politics are socially pretty conservative, you couldn't ask for a more science positive place that believes in expertise....
7 comments:
I guess I'm a potential urban Liberal voter (they lost me a few years ago during the Morrison Mess), but advocating for 'The Voice' yes nothing for me. I see no compelling reason why it should be written into the constitution. I'm a bit surprised that there is such a prominent faction amongst the Liberals that are going splitski over Dutton's lack of support, actually - I remember when Malcolm Turnbull advocated against it.
I don't how the referendum is going to go - I suspect it will get through, as I'm not sure the legalistic arguments against it have legs and sound all that convincing.
And probably no one is going to run much with the argument that, in practice, there is no reason to expect it will help, given the obviously, permanently, fractious nature of internal politics within the broad scope of the aboriginal community itself. There are bound to be issues on which the government will have "official" advice, contradicted by a substantial number of aboriginal dissenters on TV decrying that the Voice is not listening to their particular views. Then the government will have to do what governments do - make difficult decisions based on a range of input. And it will probably take even longer than before.
But, you know, it's the vibe. I mean, in principle, having a permanent advisory and representative body sounds a fair idea. I think people might think "yeah, I know, it's more faffing around and past experience shows it will make no difference, but it sounds mean not to give it a try."
Now, get down to the Laws of Karma (as illustrated by Hanoi Jack Chick) post and make a witty comment. I thought you would like that post!
1967 Steve
Homer, are you suggesting that Dutton should take up body surfing alone near Portsea? :)
referendum two question of which only one was passed despite bipartisan support
From the article:
It is not a matter of moving to the left or right, as many characterise the decision facing the Liberals, but simply becoming a mainstream party that represents most Australians, including women and young people.
I'm very tired of people arguing about being left or right. The goal in democracy is to represent the will of the people. The election of the Teals, the big Green vote boost, and the Ashton byelection are a clear sign to the Liberals that they are now stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they continue to placate the conservative rump as exemplified in a certain blog, their continuing demise will be assured.
Kohler may well be right, the party might need to split into the conservative rump supporters and those who realise the future lies with policies that are in accord with the wider Australian public. The emergence of PHON and other conservative bent parties, and their vote stagnation if not absolute annihilation in the polls, is a forewarning of what happens if they choose to continue preaching to their decreasing support base.
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