For those of us who keep an eye on politics down under, it was always clear that Tony Abbott was never going to fill Julia Gillard’s shoes. In opposition Abbott was a man who traded in relentless negativity. In government he has being found out.
As coalition members of parliament appear determined to force a leadership showdown, with two members of parliament openly calling for a vote and others claiming the party is ready to change leader – it has become clear that Abbott’s chickens are coming home to roost. Making the last Australian election a choice between chaos and competence may yet be his biggest mistake.
In politics, smear and relentless negativity can only get you so far. In fact, it got Abbott into the Lodge. Personal attacks, crude adverts and fear are part and parcel of the Australian Liberal’s brand. But when it comes to robust policy and sophisticated public policy, Abbott’s style of politics can never deliver.
His government’s record is terrible: growth dipping, repealing a carbon pricing scheme that would deliver an environmentally friendly Australia, paid parental leave ditched, and massive defeats in the state elections.
Abbott’s record will be one of political indecision and failure to live up to the political challenge of the day.
Take his policy on primary care. Where progressives in Britain, such as Liz Kendall, have introduced a bold plan of reform to ensure that social care delivers for an aging population, Abbott’s plan to introduce a GP tax has been shelved while his second proposal is simply to cut funding to GPs – leaving doctors to decide whether or not to pass the cost on to patients. On making Australia competitive for the next generation, the Abbott government is in tatters. Labor’s broadband network for regional Australia has been cut, funding for universities slashed and rates increased on student loans.
Yet, as Tony Abbott stares down the barrel of a leadership crisis, there is an important point for progressives. Campaigning without robust solutions in opposition leads to governing without content. Abbott was very good at outlining the hard choices for Australians, but has never offered sophisticated answers. Labor, divided at the time, was not the vessel that could offer progressive solutions. For success in the era of 24 hour news and constant commentary, social democrats must stay the course to deliver big reform. In spite of their lengthy lists of achievements, Australian Labor flipped between Gillard and Kevin Rudd not because of a change of policy direction or purpose, but because they thought it would save them a few seats or boost a few polls. In fact their members of parliament expressly said so.
Whether it is Julia Gillard in Australia or Ed Miliband here today the solutions to persistent negativity could not be clearer: bold public policy, an optimistic vision for our communities and a resolute purpose – that is how progressives stare down the politics of the likes of Abbott.
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Ross Haynes is a member of Progress
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