The overall diminishing of Australian society and the inevitable decline in public fairness and people’s freedoms is a consequence of the false premise that the market is always correct.
This is the mantra of government, particularly at federal level but also among States and Territories. The outcome is a relentless decline in economic and social pluralism, and a rapid falling away of accountability.
The real challenge for the upcoming election is to encourage a return to a more balanced philosophy focused on restoring checks and balances, vigorous debate and justification, and policies encouraging equality of opportunity. Australia needs a clearer option, other than the existing market-driven approach: we need a government, led by any party, which undertakes to place more focus on nurturing non-market values to lead Australia back towards being a more egalitarian society.
Bob Galland, CLA Goulburn