Number of respondents so far: 7
Will Australians be better or worse off overall under John Howard / Peter Costello versus alternatives:
Much better - 0%
Better - 0%
Slightly better - 0%
Similar - 17%
Slightly worse - 0%
Worse - 17%
Much worse - 67%
Don't know - 0%
Wont say - 0%
Will Australians be better or worse off overall under Kevin Rudd in terms of the economic impact on quality of life:
Much better - 33%
Better - 33%
Slightly better - 17%
Similar - 17%
Slightly worse - 0%
Worse - 0%
Much worse - 0%
Don't know - 0%
Wont say - 0%
Titles / Organisations:
Lecturer - Decision making under uncertainty - Social Science & Liberal Studies - Charles Sturt University
PhD in Sociology - Research Fellow - Sociology & Anthropology - School of Social Sciences - LaTrobe University
Central Queensland Uni
Research Fellow - Centre for Social Research - Edith Cowan University - Area of expertise Sociology of Chidhood, Migration and Child Care
Convenor - Sustainable Communities & Tutor - Indigenous Education - School of Education and Community Studies - Tutor - Sociology of Technology and Work School of Business and Governance - University of Canberra
Assoc Head, School of Social Sciences - University of Western Sydney
Their Comments:
Given that both mainstream political parties in Australia have endorsed so called "market principles" for resolving society's problems, I see no reason to consider any major difference between them. Both see capitalism and materialism as central to society's well-being and very little difference is offered in terms of culture, social capital and equity.
The most critical challenge to Australia's quality of life over the next 10 to 20 years is obviously climate change, which will require a major rethink of levels of consumption and the 'every person for him/herself' culture that has been called out by neo-liberalism (for want of a better word). Tax cuts and interest rates; demonising of trade unions; The cities are choking on petrol fumes and increasingly divided between haves and have-nots, (housing;jobs;education;health care; dental care)with predictable rises in levels of random violence on the one hand and clinical depression on the other. Rural Australia is dying from drought, salination, agribusiness and so on. Meanwhile, Howard and Rudd offer tax cuts.
The environment - show lack of care for the environment. Until recently,John Howard actually expressed skepticism that climate change was takingplace. He proposed to construct nuclear power plants and actually goingthrough the process of having scientists to back him up. He argued quitestrongly that many countries use nuclear power quite safely and why wecouldn't do the same. There was quite a lot of coverage in the media onthis topic. Now, the nuclear issue is conveniently ignored in case thisaffects the election outcome. The coalition also fail to ratify Kyoto. The economy may be booming but at a cost to working families and thoseat the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. GST, while adding heaps tothe government's coffer meant higher bills (in utilities and others)that impact on low-income families. Lifting the minimum amount toqualify for the PBS scheme, housing affordability, non-payment of somebenefits for 2 years to those granted permanent residency, other risingcosts (eg. When I first took out private health insurance, with MedibankPrivate 10 years ago, it was around $75 every fortnight, now $ 160) andheaps other examples all have negative effects on working families. The coalition has got us involved in the Iraq war for no logical reason.US and allies involvement has worsened the situation in Iraq.
The re-election of this Liberal Government will be a very frightening phenomena with regard to the future social fabric of Australia. A Government which is able to lie to its electorate and never face the consequences is the making of a despotic regime on course to divide the nation and breed ugliness and brutality. It seems that John Howard and his ministers systematically reject research evidence that does not fit their own home grown theories about what makes a good society. I believe that of this research is commissioned by the Government but remains unpublished as a result of the findings not being consistent with their own beliefs. The anti-intellectual stance of this government means that social policy is non-existent and expenditure on social infrastructure considered a 'waste' of the tax payer's money. The policy of moving Canberra bureaucrats between departments and policy areas every six or seven months is a deliberate strategy for ensuring a lack of expertise and experience within departments charged with caring for the nations most vulnerable. As a nation growing at the speed of light we need an intelligent approach to protecting and enhancing the social fabric of Australia - the alternative is unthinkable.
Howard/Costello are desperate to hold onto their power and the spoils of war. They believe they any lies are acceptable to keep them in the power they, and only they are entitled to wield. The lies take us to war and incite international terrorism, scapegoat refugees and the poor, and distort the truth on the environmental destruction of the planet.
Most of these things are determined by non-government forces (ie "shocks", "markets", "speculation", "global risks", etc)
The country will be much better under Kevin Rudd who leads a partythat has always shown more concern for ordinary people. We need a changetoo.
Under Rudd and a balanced Senate, we could be returning to better governance and returning power to the parliament and particularly a Senate as a house of review rather than an instant rubber stamp. With the additional measures of government accountability, including improvements to handling FOI requests, protecting whistleblowers and a more open government, Australia has a vastly improved opportunity at becoming a more equitable and sustainable society