In times past liberals would be capable of recognising the real-world imbalances of power in economic relationships: and hence support rights for trade unions, and a decent welfare safety net without punitive, unfair and unrealistic mutual obligation provisions.
While some Conservative figures like Barnaby Joyce are finally recognising the threadbare and punitive nature of "Newstart" unemployment insurance in Australia, Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is determined to keep existing policies as a wedge against Labor. While "Robodebt" policies drive innocent people to desperation and suicide, the hope of decent bipartisanship has been cruelly crushed. An ugly sentiment against the welfare-dependent and job seekers has been whipped up in the monopoly mass media in Australia for decades. But the Liberals have all-too-readily seized upon the consequent public sentiment and have exploited it.
While progressives should always prefer a Labor Government to a Liberal Government in Australia, it is to be hoped that genuine liberals, like John Hewson, who have not been ideologically captured by the Institute of Public Affairs improve their fortunes in internal debates. While this author is opposed to Blairite 'Third Ways' it would nonetheless be a relief to have bipartisanship on issues of basic human liberty and decency. While the Liberals increasingly embrace Hayek and Rand on the economy, on social liberty they are effectively against libertarianism, for example on the rights of organised labour.
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In Australia the nominal party of liberalism is anything but liberal. Even in the narrow sense of classical liberalism they fail to uphold core principles. Labor could reconceive of itself as a liberal Party and occupy that space abandoned by the Liberal Party. But for social democrats and democratic socialists that is not the answer if it means abrogating our own historic principles, and the rights and interests we defend.
A more libertarian position on liberal rights on the Australian Left would apply significant pressure to the parties of the Australian Right. To some degree this is already happening. It is a trend that needs to be developed further.
[1]'On Socialism', J.S.Mill, Prometheus Books, New York, 1976
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