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
Thinking about Labor reform
Unions and the ALP – time to stay friends but end the marriage?
The fate of the trade unions and the ALP has been entwined for 130 years, but in the interests of a stronger labour movement and ALP, it may be time to change the relationship, writes trade unionist Max Ogden. Download print copy of Unions and the ALP – time to stay friends but end the marriage? … [Read more...] about Unions and the ALP – time to stay friends but end the marriage?
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
Returning from parental leave – how it started
Thanks to Anika Wells MP for this tweet on returning from parental leave. All factions, all parties, all stepping out together. How it started and how its going ... All praise to Sydney Morning Herald photographer Alex Ellinghausen @ellinghausen Centre: Anika Wells (ALP Member for … [Read more...] about Returning from parental leave – how it started
The rise and rise and fall of Adem Somyurek – by Guy Rundle, Jacobin, 20 June 2020
There’s nothing strange about branch stacking, but what was unusual in rise and fall of Adem Somyurek was the amassing of enormous power by one man, a junior minister and member of Victoria’s upper house. How could this occur? Somyurek and his officers were caught on video forging signatures and … [Read more...] about The rise and rise and fall of Adem Somyurek – by Guy Rundle, Jacobin, 20 June 2020
The ALP left props up the right – by Harry Stratton
The ALP left props up the right writes Harry Stratton in Jacobin Magazine 4 Apr 2021. "To challenge the ALP right-wing policy agenda, we first need to democratize the party. The party’s left faction should lead this fight; instead, they’re helping perpetuate a system that keeps left-wing politics … [Read more...] about The ALP left props up the right – by Harry Stratton
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