Labor’s former deputy leader says growing scepticism about politics is justified as many miss out on benefits of growth
Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek
will on Sunday say that people are right to be sceptical about politics
and to worry about whether democracy delivers, because “enough people
are failing to see the tangible benefits the system promised them”.
Labor’s former deputy leader will tell a conference that Australian voters are disillusioned because too many of them are worse off financially, even as the nation as a whole becomes wealthier.
“We sometimes ask people to accept enormous social and economic change, without sharing the economic benefits of that change,” Plibersek will say. “This feels a lot like a broken contract.
“Those struggling hardest, people on Newstart and sole parents, know
this truth intimately – and express disaffection most strongly. Indeed,
the group with the lowest trust in democracy – low-income women – are
the people for whom national economic growth has delivered least.Labor’s former deputy leader will tell a conference that Australian voters are disillusioned because too many of them are worse off financially, even as the nation as a whole becomes wealthier.
“We sometimes ask people to accept enormous social and economic change, without sharing the economic benefits of that change,” Plibersek will say. “This feels a lot like a broken contract.
“Australians can see the immense changes moving through their lives and their communities – but cannot see their government responding in an equally serious way. There are no obvious plans for meeting the biggest problems facing this country. Most of these are stubborn and intergenerational.”
Plibersek will argue people lose trust in politics when they sense a distance between their lived experienced and the priorities and behaviour of those who govern, and the only way to turn the trust deficit around is to “show the genuine benefit of our system, in clear and material ways”.
“That means being prepared to tackle the hard issues without resorting to insulting simplicity: the ongoing problem of stagnant wages and an insecure labour market; climate change and energy policy; the persistence of inequality and its disproportionate impact on young people.”
She says Labor needs to be better than their political opponents, referencing the donations scandal in the New South Wales party. “As a party, we need to beat the standards we set for our opponents – to call out corruption and bad behaviour wherever we see it, including on our own side of politics, even when it feels uncomfortable. Especially when it feels uncomfortable.”
Plibersek will urge fellow progressives to not just participate, but think about how they contribute to the national conversation. She says it is important to show up “with generosity, sincerity, kindness, determination and thoughtfulness – matched by hard, methodical, practical work”.
She will say progressive people have a responsibility to work cooperatively for the greater good, to seek the middle ground and find common cause. Plibersek will endorse Barack Obama’s recent criticism of woke “call out” culture as a substitute for the real hard work of political, social and economic change.
“As citizens, we need to teach ourselves again how to talk, listen and argue courteously,” Plibersek will say. “We need to take our democratic responsibilities seriously. And if you really believe no one represents you, you should consider joining a party or standing for office.”
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