Stuart Macintyre - a history warrior who worked for a better Australia. He has gone. To those whose lives touched his, an Australian history community without him seems hugely empty. Three obituaries: Janet McCalman from The Conversation and by Brian Aarons & Tim Rowse from Search … [Read more...] about Vale Stuart Macintyre – a history warrior for a better Australia
Readings & listenings
Organised factions must be outlawed
Dennis Glover writes that "organised factions must be outlawed "in his submission to the Macklin-Bracks Review. He writes: "The ALP is no longer a party; it is a web of factional power." My 38 years of experience working at the highest levels of the party lead me to conclude that the detailed … [Read more...] about Organised factions must be outlawed
IBAC enquiry into branch stacking practices & actions arising
The following material on the Operation Watts IBAC enquiry into allegations of corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers related to Victorian ALP branch stacking is taken from the Age and the Guardian coverage and the IBAC website. "Significant cultural change within the party" is … [Read more...] about IBAC enquiry into branch stacking practices & actions arising
Non-aligned Victorian Labor politicians poster 1970–2018
Some non-aligned Victorian Labor politicians. A poster history by Janet McCalman & friends, starting with election of Barry Jones in 1972 and moving on to John Kennedy 2018 as the most recently elected Independent. During the 1970s and 1980s, organised independents in Victoria were able to … [Read more...] about Non-aligned Victorian Labor politicians poster 1970–2018
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House "is a living museum of social and political history, located in a nationally listed heritage building in Parkes, Canberra." Visit it in person and online. They write: "The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House helps … [Read more...] about The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)
Easy lies and influence – the face of corruption in Australian politics
Fiona McLeod writes on the face of corruption in Australian politics "We are currently witnessing widespread loss of trust in government. Not just in the rapid slide in the popularity of the federal government and the personal standing of the Prime Minister, but the growing mistrust of initiatives … [Read more...] about Easy lies and influence – the face of corruption in Australian politics
Barry Jones on our democratic crisis
There is a democratic crisis in Australia, and neither of the major parties have any vision beyond the next election. where is the courage, principle & accountability? Only an active citizenry can prevent us sliding towards authoritarian or populist democracy, writes Barry Jones. Read below … [Read more...] about Barry Jones on our democratic crisis
Our democracy decaying from within – by John Menadue, Pearls & Irritations
Our democracy is decaying from within. We need a summit of community leaders to help chart democratic renewal. This is an edited version of Our democracy is decaying from within by John Menadue, Pearls & Irritations, 16 Sep 2021. Bob Hawke’s 1983 post election economic summit promoted … [Read more...] about Our democracy decaying from within – by John Menadue, Pearls & Irritations
Covid ends the neoliberal era? – by Adem Tooze, The Guardian
The year 2020 exposed the risks and weaknesses of the market-driven global system. It’s hard to avoid the sense that a turning point has been reached. Could it be that Covid ends the neoliberal era? Tooze analyses how the high-level, technocratic decisions of central bankers and finance … [Read more...] about Covid ends the neoliberal era? – by Adem Tooze, The Guardian
The Dirty Country – corruption – by Crikey
The Dirty Country – corruption by Crikey, a brilliant series on corruption in Australian politics. "The first step in solving any problem is recognising there is one, then the second step is understanding the root cause of it. And the root cause of the toxic culture in Australian politicians in … [Read more...] about The Dirty Country – corruption – by Crikey