Labor has an opportunity to bring on significant change

Labor has an opportunity for significant change, but it would require a substantial commitment, spanning two or more terms to fully realise the potential. While some initiatives could be achieved more swiftly, it’s crucial to note that Labor could not pursue all of them simultaneously.

Among the most meaningful reforms I haven’t yet discussed are the establishment of a national wage that ensures fair compensation for all, enhanced government transparency to foster trust and accountability, and measures to promote equity across the board. Additionally, we face the pressing challenge of re-evaluating negative gearing and undertaking comprehensive tax reform, both pivotal to shaping a fairer economic landscape.

Complicating all of this is a world mired in the complexity of Donald Trump. Anyway, let us proceed with the word ‘hope’ as our best companion.

If any reader suggests some ideas, I will include them in my next piece. So, put your thinking caps on.

My two choices would be a serious review of the tax system and a Republic.

The other thing to remember is that any government can consider itself fortunate if it achieves one significant policy change in one term. Whitlam being the exception.

Let’s get a start

1. Forge dynamic connections between visionary creatives and spirited young minds, igniting a movement that catalyses transformative change in our communities.

2. Harmoniously blend the mechanics of capitalism with the pulse and culture of society, transforming the economic landscape to reflect compassion and purpose, ensuring that the heart of our system beats for all.

3. Develop avenues for meaningful engagement within the Labor Party, inviting those with innovative ideas to contribute their voices and visions toward building a brighter, more equitable future for everyone.

4. Elevate an independent speaker of significant influence, capable of holding high-ranking ministers accountable and championing the voices of the people, fostering a culture of transparency and integrity in leadership.

5. Limit the influence of campaign advertisements, restrict political donations, and carefully scrutinise the expenses of Members of Parliament. Enforce a strict ban on foreign and offshore contributions to ensure the integrity of our political system.

6. Mandate the publication of detailed records from Ministers’ meetings, with a special focus on interactions with lobbyists, to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

7. Conduct a thorough review of parliamentary question time by former speakers, implementing rigorous consequences for those who deliberately mislead Parliament. This process should be overseen by an independent speaker to uphold the integrity of our legislative discourse.

8. Reintroduce a pricing mechanism for carbon emissions, championing a robust commitment to a future powered by renewable energy sources, ensuring our environmental policies drive us towards sustainability and resilience.

9. Sustain migration levels at 50,000 to alleviate the strains on our infrastructure, ensuring that access to food, housing, rent, and water becomes a right rather than a privilege.

10. Address the pressing challenges facing the Murray-Darling Basin, restoring its health and resilience for the benefit of future generations.

11. Re-establish a humane and compassionate refugee policy that upholds our values and treats those seeking refugee status with dignity and respect.

12. Recognise that advertisements in biased media should be regarded as political donations, rather than eligible for tax deductions, ensuring accountability and transparency in our political landscape.

13. Major appointments to legal and Government agencies are to be considered by a joint Parliamentary Committee so they work for the public and not their political interests.

14. Implement strict regulations on post-parliamentary employment, ensuring that Ministers are prohibited from transitioning into roles they have advocated for during their tenure in office. This measure aims to foster integrity and public trust in governmental decision-making.

15. Strive for greater gender representation in Parliament, actively working towards an environment where women hold an increasingly prominent and influential presence in the political arena.

16. Treat establishing a bill of rights as an urgent and essential priority, recognising its potential to safeguard individual freedoms and serve as a cornerstone for democracy.

17. Promptly explore the formation of a standing committee dedicated to assessing the possibility of constitutional change that could lead to the nation embracing a Republic, ensuring that this critical discussion is taken up with the seriousness it deserves.

18. Make Freedom of Information more accessible.

19. Australia needs more dreamers who wake each morning thinking, “What if we…”

20. Create a way of seeing long-held conventions as being treated seriously and not shunned as they were by Dutton, Abbott and Morrison.

21. Labor needs to further divorce itself from the negativity of our current politics. (It has made a good start with a win of remarkable proportion.)

22. We must turn our attention to the young and have the courage to ask of them that they should go beyond personal desire and aspiration and accomplish not the trivial but greatness. They should not allow the political morality they have inherited from good folk to be corrupted by the immorality of right-wing political propaganda.

23. Look at ways to reduce the military budget and strive for peace with all.

24. If the Labor Party is to reignite the passion of the voters who have drifted away from our democracy in the last two elections (with the assumption that many of them were once steadfast Labor supporters), it must embark on a bold journey of transformation. This requires an audacious re-evaluation of its core ideology, reimagining and presenting it as a beacon of enlightenment. It should strive to position itself as a refreshing alternative, starkly contrasting the encroaching shadows of far-right conservatism.

25. Labor has recently taken a small yet pivotal step towards revitalisation by granting its members a more substantial voice in selecting its leader. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg; the party still faces a formidable climb ahead in this endeavour.

26. To truly regain the trust and enthusiasm of the electorate, Labor must transcend the clutches of factional power struggles that have long plagued its ranks. These internal conflicts consume valuable time and energy, stifle creativity, and hamper exploring innovative ideas. Breaking free from this cycle is essential for the party to flourish and inspire a new vision for the future.

27. Labor must champion transparency by advocating for a ban on advertising in the final month of an election campaign, ensuring that policies and costings are presented within this critical timeframe. This will allow voters to make informed decisions based on precise and reliable information.

28. The reinstatement of trade unions is essential to safeguard fair wages and working conditions. There could be a proposal for a rule stipulating that only union members can reap the benefits of negotiated agreements, thereby strengthening collective bargaining efforts.

29. Explore avenues to reinforce genuine secularism that emphasises a clear division between the church and the State, ensuring that governance remains focused on reason and equality rather than religious influence.

30. Embrace a rejection of conventional capitalism by advocating for a new economic paradigm that intertwines people’s lived experiences with economic practice. This calls for a comprehensive reform of monetary principles and policies, which includes educating both Parliament and the citizenry about fresh economic perspectives. Integrate macroeconomic principles with the imperative of economic growth through enhanced higher education.

31. Establish a retail banking division within the Reserve Bank to invigorate competition against the major banking institutions, ultimately providing consumers with better choices and services.

32. Restore the rightful prominence of science in informed public discourse, countering its current marginalisation and reasserting its value in shaping rational discussion.

33. Call for an independent examination of Australia’s voting system, closely examining the intricacies of voting for the Senate to ensure a fair and effective electoral process.

34. Introduce four-year electoral terms accompanied by predetermined election dates, stabilising the political landscape and allowing voters to engage in the democratic process with clarity and certainty.

35. Innovate new methods for meaningful participation in the political arena. Consider introducing a form of “Sortition,” a system where individuals are randomly selected to serve, starting with the Senate, to diversify representation.

36. Initiate a comprehensive two-year review of the Constitution, establishing a full-time committee dedicated to its study. This initiative should simplify the process for constitutional amendments, which necessitate a public referendum.

“The Constitution is understood and enacted in two distinct manners: literally – where certain sections are rigorously adhered to as written; and conventionally – where other sections function through a complex web of ‘constitutional conventions’ that endow real authority to elected officials.”

And finally, number 37:

Analyse the fundamental role and purpose of the states within the federation, seeking to clarify their significance in the broader governance framework.

It cannot be denied by any opposition, including the Senate, that Labor has been given a mandate to proceed with any of these changes it chooses.

My Thought for the Day

People often demand the right to free speech to compensate for the freedom of thought they seldom engage.

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