tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post1357780699633164719..comments2024-02-07T19:30:21.880+11:00Comments on Left Focus: ALP National Conference 2011 needs to Clear the Way for Genuine ReformVaughann722http://www.blogger.com/profile/11604027151490275320noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-47515519239612804542011-11-25T21:06:34.036+11:002011-11-25T21:06:34.036+11:00Just to let readers know - The ALP Victorian Socia...Just to let readers know - The ALP Victorian Socialist Left adopted most of the second motion as its position, and one crucial paragraph from the first motion committing it to work for an expansion of progressive taxation. Unfortunately, though, these are long term positions not likely to be put to the Conference this time around. I will be working to have a variant of the 3rd motion adopted in the future. Whatever happens at the ALP National Conference this can be the beginning of a campaign that goes places in the future. My intention is to mobilise much sooner ahead of time next time - as Chris suggests. Other states may decide to take stronger positions to take to Conference this time, though. I don't really know what's happening interstate. Expanding progressive tax is what is the 'lynch pin' as the capacity to implement these social wage policies depends upon that - or upon austerity elsewhere.Tristan Ewinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-5271230554027040922011-11-21T17:12:04.517+11:002011-11-21T17:12:04.517+11:00Tristan,
I can't comment on the timing of thi...Tristan,<br /><br />I can't comment on the timing of this but I think these are excellent platforms and I hope you get some debate around these ideas.<br /><br />I agree that removing a cap on taxes would be an important step towards revitalising the party and hence the national political scene. By trying to compete with the Liberals as a "low tax, small government" party ALP has just become Pepsi to their Coke. <br /><br />ALP needs to dig deep and become proud of their social reform history and not be afraid to spend some money making the country better.Mark Tregonninghttp://www.facebook.com/#!/marktregonningnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-48545695345723194672011-11-21T10:33:08.222+11:002011-11-21T10:33:08.222+11:00Chris, If it's too late it's not because i...Chris, If it's too late it's not because it's tokenism - but because there's only so much one isolated and poorly organised individual can do. That's not to say, though, that I don't think it's a problem that we weren't having these debates openly in the Left and the broader Party well before now. There is an SL meeting coming up to 'give direction' to Conference delegates. My aim is to have these positions adopted by the next SL General Meeting - that the SL be bound to work for the *substance* of the motions to be adopted at Conference. So if there's anyone from Vic SL who supports this pls turn up to the General Meeting. And if anyone here knows people interstate who could be convinced to work for this it would be great too.Tristan Ewinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-14745672499696762832011-11-21T08:42:48.984+11:002011-11-21T08:42:48.984+11:00This is all a bit tokenistic and too late.
Where ...This is all a bit tokenistic and too late.<br /><br />Where these positions pursued within the various structures leading up to the various faction and union meetings in the lead-up to December conference? What result?<br /><br />Which paragraphs of the Platform do these relate to? What amendments are wanted? What resolutions are thirsted for?<br /><br />Why not 6 months ago?Chris Warrennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-63757829269202704232011-11-20T15:38:20.760+11:002011-11-20T15:38:20.760+11:00To clarify further - the point about tax comes fir...To clarify further - the point about tax comes first PRECISELY BECAUSE it is the PRECONDITION of social wage and welfare state expansion. Hence it is the priority - as without it we don't have the flexibility to implement major new social programs. ALSO note the proposal does not bind Labor to expand tax - It simply gives Labor the option of doing so if there is sufficient support.Tristan Ewinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-82990904173522400212011-11-20T15:36:00.081+11:002011-11-20T15:36:00.081+11:00The point is that we cannot afford the National Di...The point is that we cannot afford the National Disability Insurance Scheme or a similar program in Aged Care, or really significant initiatives on Cost of Living unless we raise tax - or cut elsewhere. The point is not 'tax for its own sake'. The point is that an increased tax take IS THE PRECONDITION of expanding the welfare state and social wage this way. And the point is that if we don't do this we will not deliver to voters in the really significant way which is necessary to win back their support and confidence. Tax reform is the precondition as without resources we can do nothing. IF you look to the alternative of funding programs from elsewhere in the Budget you will se where this tends to lead. Hence my example of the Disability Support Pension - where we are tightening eligibility. There will be a lot of people out there - who can conceiveably work in some form - but who are still very significantly disadvantaged by their disability. That such people will be forced on to Newstart is appalling. These are the very human reasons why we need to expand the welfare state and social wage. It is not 'raising tax for its own sake.' In the ALP we're supposed to care about distributive justice. We need to put our money where our mouth is.Tristan Ewinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-71105168443725921762011-11-20T15:26:41.495+11:002011-11-20T15:26:41.495+11:00The point about increasing taxation is political s...The point about increasing taxation is political suicide. The horse needs to go before the cart: social programs is the goal, increased taxation is (one of the possible) means. Having a proposal that specifies increased taxation first makes it sound like you want to increase taxation for the sake of it.Drownernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-58207216316693204412011-11-20T14:48:39.627+11:002011-11-20T14:48:39.627+11:00You have raised some important issues here. I thin...You have raised some important issues here. I think that lifting the rate Newstart should be a priority. It would be relatively inexpensive way to reduce poverty for a large number of people. In real terms the level of benefits to the unemployed has been declining. <br />http://www.centreblog.com.au/2011/11/19/newstart-allowance/<br /><br />I also think that some of the recommendations of the Henry Tax Review should be re-examined.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920488656220463337.post-50531842049767961452011-11-20T13:24:39.728+11:002011-11-20T13:24:39.728+11:00Privatisation has been the demon of society. The i...Privatisation has been the demon of society. The idea that privatisation would lower costs through competition didn't take into account the greed of private companies running essential services. These services should be Government owned, as they once were. People are hurting badly, unable to pay bills, feed their families and record numbers losing their homesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com