Why is it that we look to our politicians to deliver a just society? Both major Australian political parties are camorras. Where else in the world can theft of public money as a servant be classified as an honest mistake? To expect any politicians to rise above the grubby behaviour that they engage in and deliver a just society is an expectation that won't be realised.

The common factor in all politics world wide is that the move towards market liberalisation is inexorable, and the differences between the conservative and left wing major parties is only how quickly the changes are implemented, and how well considered are the side effects.

If the author of the article is expecting a federal labor to roll back the changes of the past 10 years in the name of a "just society", whilst the rest of the world continues, he is likely to be disappointed.

A different federal government is likely to slow the rate of change, but not stop or reverse.

sadly, alp in government during teh 1980s did follow/implement too many regressive policies - such as privatisation (as you say). however, there were also some positive social justice initiatives - for example, $$$$ directed towards primary school and primary school children on the basis that education in early years was important and could lead to fairer distribution of resources/opportunities for children growing and grown up; indigenous australian policies - not as good as one wanted, but in the right direction - eg the effort to remove 'white' bureaucrats from the provision of indigenous australian services and to promote indigenous australian representation by changing from the department of aboriginal affairs to atsic; multiculturalism - although toward the end of the hawke/keating government gerry hand as minister introduced the shameful camps policy (which now stands as a monument to australia/australian horrors); endeavour to introduce positive policies for women - although changes to the industrial relations system (enterprise bargaining) were regressive so far as low paid workers and women (most of the low paid workers) are concerned.

there was also hope during the hawke/keating years - which has been totally lost over the past 11 years. at least there was excitement in the air and the air was full of possibilities - which is not the case under jh and co and certainly won't be if they are re-elected - no wonder there is so much talk of and concentration upon depression at the present time - practically everyone must be suffering depression to a greater or lesser extent under the jh/pc government - except for those two of course!

Once the ethical high-jump bar is lying in the grass (where even the snakes can slither over it) there is no way in the world that a political party in power will do anything to raise it. The only way to bring about change in these circumstances is for external parties to expose those that are corrupt.

So, I thought the expose of the Transport Workers Union's slush fund on the Sunday TV program last weekend was a beauty. There should be more of it. The allegation is that the TWU's bosses took money from some businesses in return for not pushing them to increase wages for their workers. This resulted in a situation where honest union members in those businesses (that pay their dues to support their officials, and supposedly themselves) were being shopped by those very same officials. The officials then went on a spending spree dining out in the best restaurants in town.

If true, this is hypocrisy with a capital H. Just think. Some of these corrupt officials will get into political power one day. What does anyone think they will do when they get there? Serve the public interest?

Pretty much my sentiments.
The key issue is the development of a mass movement. The main reason for the Labor Party's demise as a 'working Class Party' is that it's membership is not representative of the mass of Australia's Workers.
During my years as an active Union Member, amongst 300 workers in my workplace,there were less than a dozen ALP members and of those only two or three ever bothered to attend ALP meetings, Yet,the majority of workers in the workplace considered themselves 'Labor supporters'

As a Union Activist, I was nominated a number of times to join the ALP but I never contemplated joining precicely because I perceived it to be too right wing.

These days I vote Green or independent, depending on the candidates policies and consistently put the Libs and Nats last which invariably means my preference 'trickles down' to the Labor party as the lesser of the two evils.
Unfortunately, the Democrats destroyed their credibility when Meg Lees sold out on the GST and don't look like recovering despite a couple of hard working members since being prepared to work to amend coalition legislation .

Until there does develop a mass movement, the best I can hope for is a strong green/independent vote that can successfully point the ALP in the 'left' direction.

As for the Union Movement, there has long been a movement away from Rank & File Control. There will continue to be scandals such as corrupt practices by some officials whilst ever their work does not come under the scrutiny of members at regular general meetings or union structures provide for efficient delegation and reports to Rank & File.

James, it's very doubtful that Labor will make any great difference to the plight of society whilst the general population resides in a "bed of apathy!"

The Australian population has adopted the age old "bugger you Jack" attitude whilst they continue to strive for greater and greater wealth, McMansions, SUV's and putting their spoilt little brats through private schooling.

The "boomers" may have started the guest for the "holy grail of greed" but it's the following generations that are racing down to the finish line. As long as nothing changes too much on the political scene, they're quite content in their race with the "Jones."

Both Labor and the Coalition know this and are also busy making hay while the sun shines or, in reality and hand in hand with the Global economy, using our resources and energy at a rapidly depleting rate. Both will continue to pander to Big Business realising that most voters are too tied up in their struggles for financial gain to put any real effort into demanding change from politicians.

Within the next few years, the human population will reap the benefits of their folly in accepting the mantra of an ever expanding economy and population. The end of industrial man will bring a renewed interest and involvement in Australian politics, but by then it will be far too late. We need a new leadership in this once great country. Howard's mob of backward thinkers must go, yet I'm not sure Labor are up to the task of preventing massive social upheaval once the resource boom grinds to a halt and cheap and abundant energy is depleted.