Susan Mitchell on Labor Values

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

What are Labor values?

OPINION
SUSAN MITCHELL

WITH the debacle of the SA Labor Party’s State Convention and the results of the Victorian State Election ringing in our ears, it is time to focus on exactly what we expect Labor governments to deliver to their voters.

We are constantly hearing the cry that the ALP has forgotten its basic Labor Values. But no one has actually spelt out what we understand these values to be.

So let me ask you the question … what are Labor Values?

I am not nor have I ever been a member of any political party. I am, just like you, an ordinary voter, entitled to an opinion.

So, in my opinion, these are what I believe to be the values of the ALP. I write these with no spin, no jargon, no tired platitudes.

All values need a basic foundation on which to rest. Let’s keep it simple. I think the four foundation principles of the ALP are: FAIRNESS, EQUALITY, REFORM, COMPASSION.

All policies which emanate from a Labor government should be framed within these four principles.

Labor = work = workers. When times are good, the salaries and conditions of all workers should keep pace with the rest of the society. When times are bad, conditions must be protected. Workers, particularly at the lower end of the scale, should not be punished by having their rights and conditions reduced.

Health. We have a system of socialised medicine in Medicare that is the best in advanced economies. That system must be maintained and meet the needs of both public and private health providers. No Australian, rich or poor, old or young, should ever be turned away from a public hospital when in mental or physical need. If necessary, levies must be raised to maintain this system to a high standard.

Education. Public schools must be funded to meet the highest academic needs of a changing society. Teachers must be of the highest quality and paid accordingly. Re-education must be made available for those marginalised by the technological revolution.

Public Transport. Must keep pace with the changing needs of our society. It should be affordable, clean, safe and accessible. Infrastructure must be regularly updated for an increasingly mobile population.

Fees. Government regulation should apply to fees extracted by banks, water providers and power suppliers. Concessions for those in need must be maintained. Government must not abuse fees such as Stamp Duty, parking and traffic fines, council rates etc as a means of raising revenue due to poor economic management.

Welfare. Strict guidelines must be enforced so that those in the greatest need are looked after. Every effort must be made to provide employment opportunities for all. Those who rort or abuse the system must be punished by law.

Taxes. Those who can afford it should pay more taxes than those who cannot. All tax cuts and governments handouts should be means-tested. The rich do not need tax cuts. Tax rorting must be punished by law.

Responsibility. The government must seek at all times to explain to voters that we all share a responsibility for the health, welfare and education of other Australians.

Reforms. The government must never cease to institute reforms to make the nation a more fair and equal place for all its citizens. All reforms should enable everyone to be given the opportunity to develop their talents regardless of race, class, gender or sexuality. All reforms must seek to grant every citizen equal rights and freedoms.

Capitalism. This system of government works for us. It is far from perfect but it can always be changed to make it a fairer, more equal and compassionate system. Those against whom it discriminates must be helped. The privileged must help the underprivileged or we are all lesser human beings.

I know none of this is rocket science but the time is now ripe for us all to spell out what we expect from a Labor Government.

They keep saying, “we hear your message”.

This is your opportunity to tell them what your message is.

www.susanmitchell.com.au

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