Well which incumbent government is popular right now ? Albanese actually has a high approval rating by global standards. Iām a traditional ALP voter and I think he has had a terrible first term but for different reasons. The Voice was ā Brahmin Left ā politics at its worst. It did nothing to resolve any deep seated issues for the base of the party - working class people. His first term should have been spent on one thing - maximising the return the country gets from its mining and energy resources. With the hundreds of billions raised we could have finally tackled inequality across the board. Why are public schools funded at under 100% of Gonski recommended levels ? Why arenāt we building modern public housing stock ? Why isnāt bulk billing secure ? This fight with multi national interests was the definitive one for a Labor movement in 2022-2025. Itās been wasted
I would never vote for the Teals but Iām thankful they exist. Most democracies have extreme populist parties as the alternative right now. Australia has exiled centrist Liberal Party women as that alternative voting bloc.
I donāt fully understand why Albanese attached himself to AUKUS so easily. I am duel US-Australian national and I know my adopted country well. Australia is never getting advanced nuclear attack submarines. They are the crown jewel in the US arsenal - the equivalent of aircraft carriers in WW2.
This is what happens when you do not have a Gough Whitlam at the helm. You have no North Star to guide you to where you want to go.
In an increasingly insane world, youād hope we could get stability, certainty and strength. But despite being good in some areas, the government is faltering. Hopefully theyāll find their feet soon. DL
The whole situation is insane and sad. I remember the leadership debate between Albo and Shorten back in the day - this is the Albo that the Prime Minister needs to find:)
You make an excellent point re laborās wasted opportunity. Itās as if theyāve taken a second term for granted - and even though nearly every government has got a second term, the Scullin government didnāt. And Whitlam lasted one term (though had three elections). Particularly in a climate that includes independents that are far more than one term protest votes, the alp is focusing caution in the wrong areas. Thanks for your comment DL.
Unfortunately, the ALP is cowed, if not owned, by the oligopoly just as much as the Coalition are. The solution for our nation's woes lies outside the all-too-cosy relationships between big parties and Big Money.
Excellent work- a real pleasure to read a clear and succinct summary of the Australian political scene . Finally quality journalism - WELL DONE and THANK YOU
Your use of the term "Zionist lobby" seems to be a disingenuous effort to portray Israel as an authoritarian state. While you may argue that Israel's general elections do not equate to true democracy, it's important to recognise that a political environment with fair competition, transparency, and respect for civil liberties makes it inherently democratic. This lack of authenticity in your argument may contribute to Peter Dutton's likely success in the next election. Overall, your article presents significant flaws.
Israel is an authoritarian state. It does not offer fair competition, transparency or civil liberties to over half of the population that live within the borders of Israel.
I respectfully disagree with that assessment. The Palestinians have the option to pursue Arab-Muslim Israeli citizenship, yet they choose not to, often for political reasons. This decision reflects a sense of victimhood and perceived inequality, which may indicate a lack of resilience in their approach to their circumstances.
I agree with the article. Litmus test question: should Hamas have built tunnels under Jewish schools and hospitals, would the IDF have dropped bombs on them to achieve the same arbitrary objective? Or worked out a different way through this? When the IRA set off bombs in London and other large polulation centres in England, did the RAF drop bombs all over Belfast? No. Zionism combined with delusional Messianic zealotry is the serious problem facing Palestinians, and peaceable Israelis who genuinely wish to preserve and promote democracy.
Thereās hardly any comparison. Are Londoners expected to tolerate daily rocket attacks from Belfast in the middle of the night over the Christmas holidays?
The only reason you claim Israel is not a democracy is because it is a democracy, you know it, but you lie and deceive in order to apply unreasonable āaccountabilityā for democratically elected leaders to an extreme and bigoted level. Itās uncalled for, unnecessary and unhealthy.
in relation to your article, Iām yet to digest it.
Israel is an apartheid state, itās democratic to everyone except for Palestinian people. Itās very necessary and healthy to point this out, even if it is to give you are better understanding of why Israel is carrying out ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza, and exporting its terror into other parts of the Middle East ā Lebanon and now into Syria. A normal democracy doesnāt implement pager bomb explosions or kill civilians at the rate it has since 1946, and ramped up over the past 14 months, and steal land from other people, despite being warned not to do this for 76 years. There is a reason for why the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
Your argument overlooks the core principles of democracy. We inhabit a world where violence is a harsh reality, and while it may seem unusual to you, it is a frequent occurrence in many regions. The essence of democracy is not inherently tied to the actions of armed forces or intelligence agencies. During wartime, martial law may be enacted, but this is an integral aspect of the democratic framework. Therefore, I see little that is fundamentally out of order.
Youāve overlooked the key points that Israel is carrying out ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza ā rockets and tanks against sticks and stones ā and exporting its terror into other parts of the Middle East. Israel is a pariah state, thereās absolutely no question about this, and is committing war crimes. The rest of the world can see this, except for US, Britain and Australia.
That would hold true if the Palestinians had a cohesive identity as an ethnic group. The primary element uniting them seems to be a political preference for conditions where the borders of a recognized democratic state are absent. Their identity as Arabs and Muslims transcends their circumstances as individuals facing hardship in the Gaza Strip. While they could choose to abandon their contentious stance in favor of peace, they opt not to, which compels Israel to take defensive action.
This is Substack, not Twitter, where nuance often gets lost. Iām unclear on what "DL" means. Please clarify and refrain from misleading the public. If the current trend continues, Peter Dutton may be elected Prime Minister of Australia based solely on this dishonesty.
Making claims about misleading the public is the most disingenuous form of public debate ā while making misleading claims yourself ā and you are making claims which are consistent with the propagandists within Israel and the Zionist lobby.
The Palestinians share a cohesive and deeply rooted identity, encompassing Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Catholic Christians, and BahĆ”āĆs. If you refuse to acknowledge this, as many Zionist extremists do, thatās on you. The reality Palestinians have faced includes over 100 years of massacres, land theft, arbitrary detention, apartheid, systemic racism, movement restrictions, collective punishment, and a relentless attempt to erase their identity by foreign settlers clinging to a mythical past and a fabricated identity.
Jews, on the other hand, do not constitute a single ethnicity or share a common cultureāanyone can become Jewish. Furthermore, under Israeli law, a person only needs one Jewish grandparent to claim Israeli citizenship, underscoring the political and constructed nature of these definitions.
To make matters worse, Israelās Nation-State Law exacerbates these issues, even for minority groups like the Druze and Samaritans, who have historically had better relations with the state. The law explicitly prioritizes Jewish identity and culture above all others, marginalizing non-Jewish citizens and further entrenching systemic discrimination.
Absolutely not. They share the same language cuisine with the rest of the arsb world. When Microsoft fired Two assholes for creating vigil for Terrorist was laughable that those guys are from Egypt. Whatās the special about Palestinians occupying Gaza, Somalia, and Judea?
Well which incumbent government is popular right now ? Albanese actually has a high approval rating by global standards. Iām a traditional ALP voter and I think he has had a terrible first term but for different reasons. The Voice was ā Brahmin Left ā politics at its worst. It did nothing to resolve any deep seated issues for the base of the party - working class people. His first term should have been spent on one thing - maximising the return the country gets from its mining and energy resources. With the hundreds of billions raised we could have finally tackled inequality across the board. Why are public schools funded at under 100% of Gonski recommended levels ? Why arenāt we building modern public housing stock ? Why isnāt bulk billing secure ? This fight with multi national interests was the definitive one for a Labor movement in 2022-2025. Itās been wasted
I would never vote for the Teals but Iām thankful they exist. Most democracies have extreme populist parties as the alternative right now. Australia has exiled centrist Liberal Party women as that alternative voting bloc.
I donāt fully understand why Albanese attached himself to AUKUS so easily. I am duel US-Australian national and I know my adopted country well. Australia is never getting advanced nuclear attack submarines. They are the crown jewel in the US arsenal - the equivalent of aircraft carriers in WW2.
This is what happens when you do not have a Gough Whitlam at the helm. You have no North Star to guide you to where you want to go.
Truly bizarre that this is where we find ourselves.
In an increasingly insane world, youād hope we could get stability, certainty and strength. But despite being good in some areas, the government is faltering. Hopefully theyāll find their feet soon. DL
Even if they do it will probably be too late. Such a wasted opportunity.
The whole situation is insane and sad. I remember the leadership debate between Albo and Shorten back in the day - this is the Albo that the Prime Minister needs to find:)
Prime minister is a tough job. Some rise to its challenges. Some donāt. Itās a shame that Anthony albanese hasnāt seemed to. DL
Too true!
You make an excellent point re laborās wasted opportunity. Itās as if theyāve taken a second term for granted - and even though nearly every government has got a second term, the Scullin government didnāt. And Whitlam lasted one term (though had three elections). Particularly in a climate that includes independents that are far more than one term protest votes, the alp is focusing caution in the wrong areas. Thanks for your comment DL.
Unfortunately, the ALP is cowed, if not owned, by the oligopoly just as much as the Coalition are. The solution for our nation's woes lies outside the all-too-cosy relationships between big parties and Big Money.
What happens when you elect the village idiot as your Prime Minister. No amount of lipstick can hide stupidity.
Genociders are un-electable.
Excellent work- a real pleasure to read a clear and succinct summary of the Australian political scene . Finally quality journalism - WELL DONE and THANK YOU
Your use of the term "Zionist lobby" seems to be a disingenuous effort to portray Israel as an authoritarian state. While you may argue that Israel's general elections do not equate to true democracy, it's important to recognise that a political environment with fair competition, transparency, and respect for civil liberties makes it inherently democratic. This lack of authenticity in your argument may contribute to Peter Dutton's likely success in the next election. Overall, your article presents significant flaws.
Israel is an authoritarian state. It does not offer fair competition, transparency or civil liberties to over half of the population that live within the borders of Israel.
I respectfully disagree with that assessment. The Palestinians have the option to pursue Arab-Muslim Israeli citizenship, yet they choose not to, often for political reasons. This decision reflects a sense of victimhood and perceived inequality, which may indicate a lack of resilience in their approach to their circumstances.
I agree with the article. Litmus test question: should Hamas have built tunnels under Jewish schools and hospitals, would the IDF have dropped bombs on them to achieve the same arbitrary objective? Or worked out a different way through this? When the IRA set off bombs in London and other large polulation centres in England, did the RAF drop bombs all over Belfast? No. Zionism combined with delusional Messianic zealotry is the serious problem facing Palestinians, and peaceable Israelis who genuinely wish to preserve and promote democracy.
Thereās hardly any comparison. Are Londoners expected to tolerate daily rocket attacks from Belfast in the middle of the night over the Christmas holidays?
The only reason you claim Israel is not a democracy is because it is a democracy, you know it, but you lie and deceive in order to apply unreasonable āaccountabilityā for democratically elected leaders to an extreme and bigoted level. Itās uncalled for, unnecessary and unhealthy.
in relation to your article, Iām yet to digest it.
Israel is an apartheid state, itās democratic to everyone except for Palestinian people. Itās very necessary and healthy to point this out, even if it is to give you are better understanding of why Israel is carrying out ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza, and exporting its terror into other parts of the Middle East ā Lebanon and now into Syria. A normal democracy doesnāt implement pager bomb explosions or kill civilians at the rate it has since 1946, and ramped up over the past 14 months, and steal land from other people, despite being warned not to do this for 76 years. There is a reason for why the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
Your argument overlooks the core principles of democracy. We inhabit a world where violence is a harsh reality, and while it may seem unusual to you, it is a frequent occurrence in many regions. The essence of democracy is not inherently tied to the actions of armed forces or intelligence agencies. During wartime, martial law may be enacted, but this is an integral aspect of the democratic framework. Therefore, I see little that is fundamentally out of order.
Youāve overlooked the key points that Israel is carrying out ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza ā rockets and tanks against sticks and stones ā and exporting its terror into other parts of the Middle East. Israel is a pariah state, thereās absolutely no question about this, and is committing war crimes. The rest of the world can see this, except for US, Britain and Australia.
That would hold true if the Palestinians had a cohesive identity as an ethnic group. The primary element uniting them seems to be a political preference for conditions where the borders of a recognized democratic state are absent. Their identity as Arabs and Muslims transcends their circumstances as individuals facing hardship in the Gaza Strip. While they could choose to abandon their contentious stance in favor of peace, they opt not to, which compels Israel to take defensive action.
So defence is genocide? DL
This is Substack, not Twitter, where nuance often gets lost. Iām unclear on what "DL" means. Please clarify and refrain from misleading the public. If the current trend continues, Peter Dutton may be elected Prime Minister of Australia based solely on this dishonesty.
Making claims about misleading the public is the most disingenuous form of public debate ā while making misleading claims yourself ā and you are making claims which are consistent with the propagandists within Israel and the Zionist lobby.
DL is my initials - David Lewis: co host of the podcast. I sign mine (usually) to differentiate my opinions with Eddy.
The Palestinians share a cohesive and deeply rooted identity, encompassing Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Catholic Christians, and BahĆ”āĆs. If you refuse to acknowledge this, as many Zionist extremists do, thatās on you. The reality Palestinians have faced includes over 100 years of massacres, land theft, arbitrary detention, apartheid, systemic racism, movement restrictions, collective punishment, and a relentless attempt to erase their identity by foreign settlers clinging to a mythical past and a fabricated identity.
Jews, on the other hand, do not constitute a single ethnicity or share a common cultureāanyone can become Jewish. Furthermore, under Israeli law, a person only needs one Jewish grandparent to claim Israeli citizenship, underscoring the political and constructed nature of these definitions.
To make matters worse, Israelās Nation-State Law exacerbates these issues, even for minority groups like the Druze and Samaritans, who have historically had better relations with the state. The law explicitly prioritizes Jewish identity and culture above all others, marginalizing non-Jewish citizens and further entrenching systemic discrimination.
Absolutely not. They share the same language cuisine with the rest of the arsb world. When Microsoft fired Two assholes for creating vigil for Terrorist was laughable that those guys are from Egypt. Whatās the special about Palestinians occupying Gaza, Somalia, and Judea?
https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/02/microsoft-workers-fired-gaza-vigil