“… a moral choice at least as much as an economic one”

Guest Author Uncategorized

Today’s Guest Poster is Dr Hugh Mackay, who has kindly given The Pub permission to republish the following article, first published on 14th August, 2004 by the “West Australian”. Our thanks to Dr Mackay, and also to Catalyst who sent us a copy of the article some weeks ago.

Drive for US model or Aussie fair go for all?
The Moral Maze
by Hugh Mackay

“You see a bloke driving a Rolls-Royce in America, you say, ‘I’ll have one of those one day’. But sometimes the old Australian (attitude) resents the fact that somebody else has got it. Now, I think that’s changing.”
– John Howard

In a recent interview with the Sydney morning Herald, the Prime Minister expressed warm approval for a change he believes has come over our society: he sees us as more entrepreneurial, more aspirational and “more like America”.

He has special praise for young people who he believes are more upwardly mobile than previous generations, and he plans to develop policies that will encourage us to become a nation of small-business people.

The aspiration to own a Rolls-Royce might once have been gently mocked as evidence of unbridled greed or envy. But in the new economic order, such avaricious motives have become economic virtues because they fuel the engine that drives the mass market. Materialism may not be good for the soul, but it’s good for the economy.

There’s an ethical dimension to this whole debate about aspirations, upward mobility and extravagance. If we were, indeed, to take the US as our model, we’d be looking at a fundamentally different society from the one many of us have dreamt of becoming. Do we want the sickening gap between the top and bottom of society that defines America, with an underclass of “working poor” apparently institutionalised beyond redemption?

Success is one thing; elbowing each other out of the way in our struggle to reach the top of the heap is another. And the economic heap in Australia has become very tall indeed: never before in our history has the distance from top to bottom been as great as it is now. No one would deny the value of enterprise and ambition. But the idea of a grasping, acquisitive society is at odds with the long-standing Australian ideal of an egalitarian society committed to equity, fairness and special consideration for those who are marginalised or disadvantaged by disability, poverty, incompetence, lack of intelligence or sheer bad luck.

That doesn’t mean a society in which everyone has the same amount of money or the same economic status. But every society must make a moral choice: will we encourage untrammelled greed and economic survival of the fittest or will we accept, via the tax and welfare systems, serious responsibility for the wellbeing of those who will never make it on their own, let alone become “entrepreneurial”, no matter how hard they try?

There’s another society the PM didn’t mention – Denmark – that has adopted a radically different approach from America’s when it comes to the distribution of wealth. The Danes don’t just choose nice princesses; they also choose egalitarianism.

Newsweek reported recently that 38 per cent of Denmark’s total income goes to the middle 40 per cent of the population, and the richest 20 per cent of Danes have only 2.9 times more disposable income than the poorest 20 per cent. In Australia, by contrast, the richest 20 per cent of households have 14 times the income of the poorest 20 per cent.

The highly-taxed Danes devote almost one-third of their GDP to “social transfers” that subsidise things like health and education for low-income families.

This redistribution of wealth has created something close to a nation of middle-income people; it has also created a remarkable degree of social stability.

We don’t have to emulate Denmark, but neither do we have to emulate the US. What we must do, sooner or later, is decide whether we want an egalitarian, broadly middle-class society or not.

And because that’s a decision affecting the wellbeing of millions of Australians, it’s a moral choice at least as much as an economic one.

492 thoughts on ““… a moral choice at least as much as an economic one””

  2. All sports should be played au naturel. That would fix the sponsors.

  4. As kid i loved the poem Custard the Dragon. As it sparked the writing of Puff The Magic Dragon I am very fond of it. Read up on the writing of PTMD, it is a nice story, especially as the fella who got the proceeds of the song tracked down his roomie who helped with it , and gave him half of the royalties.

  5. And so what Abbott said would never happen, begins.

    It seems now you CAN tax your way to prosperity:

    Abbott Government to deliver message that tax reform imminent — either higher GST or hike in income tax

    RENEE VIELLARIS THE COURIER-MAIL JULY 04, 2014 12:00AM SHARE

    AUSTRALIANS will be softened up in the coming months to accept changes to the GST or face paying more income tax.

    The Federal Treasury Department has exclusively told The Courier-Mail that if Australians wanted to keep receiving government services they needed to make a choice – pay more income and company tax or take more pain at the bowser and supermarkets.

    http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/abbott-government-to-deliver-message-that-tax-reform-imminent-either-higher-gst-or-hike-in-income-tax/story-fnihsrf2-1226977044548

  7. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Gawd this Seppo on ABC24 has an annoying voice/accent!

    The CBA is treading on eggshells.
    http://www.theage.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/cba-sorry-too-little-too-late-20140703-3bbhy.html
    No faith in its process.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/no-faith-in-banks-rort-inquiry-panel-20140703-3bbhz.html
    Fairfax says the banks need to regain trust.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/commbank-findings-mean-banks-must-do-more-to-regain-trust-in-planners-20140703-zsv2a.html
    Abbott’s getting a bit ballsy here.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-calls-for-greater-investment-in-infrastructure-20140703-3bbhw.html
    The Essendon saga provides daily opportunities for more legal actions.
    http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-slams-afl-chief-medical-officer-peter-harcourt-20140703-zsv5b.html
    The UN slams the Dishonourable Scott Morrison over his latest AS antics.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/commission-slams-transfer-at-sea-as-clear-rights-breach-20140703-3bbi1.html
    And the Dishonourable One is about to try it on again with the High Court and TPVs.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/scott-morrison-looks-to-national-interest-test-to-circumvent-high-court-ruling-on-permanent-protection-visas-20140703-3bbbz.html
    Here’s Lenore Taylor’s take on it.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/03/revealed-coalition-to-use-national-interest-test-to-deny-permanent-protection-visas
    Michelle Grattan says the Abbott government needs to get an empathy gene! Quite a strong article that begs the question of why was she so silent before the last election.
    https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-abbott-government-needs-to-acquire-an-empathy-gene-28787
    The New Matilda says it’s a great time to be a corporate crook in Australia.
    https://newmatilda.com/2014/07/03/its-great-time-be-corporate-crook-australia
    A very good look at the school chaplaincy program.
    https://theconversation.com/remake-school-chaplaincy-as-a-proper-welfare-program-or-scrap-it-28707
    The Independent Australia on Abbott’s aimless austerity. A good review of what Joseph Stiglitz has been saying.
    http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/abbott-and-hockeys-shocking-sell-off-stupidity-exposed,6634
    Greg Jericho warns against raising interest rates.
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2014/jul/03/raising-interest-rates-hammer-australian-economy
    The Minister who is a walking billboard for Grecian 2000 shies away from discussion on the minimum wage.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/kevin-andrews-shies-from-cutting-minimum-wage-20140703-zsv81.html

  8. Section 2 . .

    Anthony Ackroyd’s humorous take on Abbott and the budget. Well worth a look.
    http://media.theage.com.au/featured/anthony-ackroyd-pokes-fun-at-tony-abbott-5566329.html
    Malcolm Turnbull shows us the spivs’ way if ethical investment and responsible tax management.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-urged-to-take-his-1m-out-of-vulture-fund-20140703-3bbi2.html
    This confirms it. Napthine DOES have rocks in his head!
    http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/denis-napthine-happy-to-campaign-with-tony-abbott-20140703-zsv8p.html
    More good investigative journalism from The New Matilda.
    https://newmatilda.com/2014/07/03/group-colleges-director-had-no-knowledge-political-donations
    Michelle Grattan asks how two right wing ideologues got the gig to chose the next ABC/SBS board members.
    https://theconversation.com/did-the-head-of-the-pms-department-really-choose-janet-albrechtsen-28777
    All those words of effusive praise but no indication of how this soldier died.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/terribly-sad-for-another-loss-in-afghanistan-says-defence-minister-david-johnston-as-lance-corporal-todd-chidgery-becomes-41st-australian-soldier-to-die-20140703-3bbhh.html
    Mark Kenny – Abbott’s wild ride is just beginning. Not a bad article.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/the-wild-ride-is-just-beginning-for-abbott-20140703-zsutk.html
    Wow! Alan Moir comes on strong over our AS policy.
    http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/alan-moir-20090907-fdxk.html
    Andrew Dyson with a beauty on Rolf Harris.
    http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/andrew-dyson-20090819-epqv.html
    Nice work from Cathy Wilcox. I wonder who she’s taking aim at.
    http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/cathy-wilcox-20090909-fhd6.html
    Pat Campbell hits out at our favourite Minister.
    http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/pat-campbell-20120213-1t21q.html
    Ron Tandberg gives Kevin Andrews a good serve on his Christian hypocrisy.
    http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/ron-tandberg-20090910-fixc.html
    David Rowe at a CBA branch.
    http://www.afr.com/p/national/cartoon_gallery_david_rowe_1g8WHy9urgOIQrWQ0IrkdO

  9. ajcanberra,
    Makes one wonder what happened to ayn rand and her ilk in the formative years that they could possibly think the way the do….or is it that they were born with parts of the brain unwired?

  10. BK,
    Grattan’s rose-coloured glasses have finally fallen off and she can no longer deny her judgement re the abbott and his mob was way off base.

  11. And from the Land of the Free –

    Rachael Maddow on the slippery slope of SCOTUS judge Alito (GW Bush’s boy)
    http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/rachel-maddow-alitos-steep-slippery-slope
    Climate science Kentucky style.
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/03/1311565/-Missouri-Republican-Climate-change-unproven-because-temperature-on-Mars-is-exactly-as-it-is-here
    FoxNews plunges further into self delusion.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/03/fox-news-job-figures-downplayed_n_5555037.html
    This cop from Wisconsin certainly went off the rails.
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/03/wisconsin-ex-cop-who-kept-corpes-in-suitcases-claims-he-accidentally-killed-women-during-sex/
    You’d be forgiven for thinking there might be something big to hide.
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/03/pa-gas-company-gives-residents-50000-if-they-promise-not-to-sue-over-drilling-fracking/
    How religious freedom works.
    http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017200592

  12. Janice,

    It’s only taken the silly woman 4.5 years to wake up.

    I briefly considered a comment at the end of her article, but couldn’t be hacked.

  13. Fiona,
    I couldn’t be bothered either. She really should apologise for being a silly old goat, to all those who believed in her so-called political judgement, though.

  14. Fiona,
    I read Grattan’s article this week regarding what sort of Opposition the ALP should be. Seems to me that she thinks that rampant obstructionism is genius when practiced by the Coalition, but Labor has a duty to be constructive. It’s almost as though she thinks Labor should just defer to their betters in the Liberal party.

  15. The Federal Treasury Department has exclusively told The Courier-Mail that if Australians wanted to keep receiving government services they needed to make a choice – pay more income and company tax or take more pain at the bowser and supermarkets.

    Ooh, ooh, I’ve just had a great idea. If it’s more money the government needs, how about a tax on carbon pollution? Or maybe a mining tax? See, what you could do is, instead of Taking Away those revenue streams, you could Keep them. I know it sounds crazy, but it might just be the loss of those very revenue streams, already in existence, that’s the root cause of the problem.

    Honestly. I know they think we’re idiots. But doing one thing to supposedly ease the cost of living, while on the other hand telling us we all have it too easy and have to pay more, nobody would fall for that.

  16. Aguirre

    Should the Federal Treasury Department be even talking to the media, I thought they were Public Servants that shouldn’t be speaking publicly.

  18. Abbott’s comment about this continent’s settlement is textbook & goes to one of the things I’ve never understood about his success. It’s bog standard- grovel to whoever it is you’re talking to at the moment at the expense of anyone else. And it’s obvious. What I can never understand is how a person who’s been shafted in this life, which is everybody, can fail to notice this in him & still joins the queue to be done over in their turn.

  19. Allbull is probably trying to avoid paying tax on the profits from his investments in French and Spanish FTTH broadband rollouts.

    Turnbull investment in tax haven criticised

    Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s second-richest parliamentarian, has invested in a ”vulture fund” based in the tax haven Cayman Islands.

    Disclosure of what appears to be a $1 million stake in a New York-run fund targeting distressed and bankrupt companies sparked criticism from financial transparency campaigners on Thursday.

    They argue the Communications Minister has invested legally but in conflict with the Coalition’s current campaign against corporate tax dodging and the offshoring of profits

    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-investment-in-tax-haven-criticised-20140703-3bbgc.html

  20. HoJo tries to heavy ther new senate into doing what he wants.

    Joe Hockey warns Senate it has other ways to force through budget measures

    JOE Hockey has fired a broadside at the new Senate, warning the government will force its budget measures through parliament or find “other ways” to enforce its reform.

    Speaking at The Australian-Melbourne Institute Economic and Social Outlook conference, the Treasurer today hinted the government was considering alternative measures to enact some of its policies if the newly-constituted Senate did not cooperate.

    “There are always other ways we can get some of that reform happening,” Mr Hockey said

    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/joe-hockey-warns-senate-it-has-other-ways-to-force-through-budget-measures/story-fn59nsif-1226976658100

  21. leone

    Hockey talks as if his budget was facing defeat. Is his threatening voice just bluff? What “other ways” could he have in mind?

  23. some of that reform happening,” Mr Hockey said

    most of our program through,” Mr Pyne told the Nine Network

    They’re not as confident as they used to be.

  24. What “other ways” could he have in mind?

    Suspend the constitution, announce martial law, give Abbott the new title of Budgiefuhrer, round up all opposition and send them to Manus Island, have a new election where only the LNP is allowed to run, pass through the budget, and everyone can work in the war factories or clothing factories making jackboots and militaristic uniforms for Liberal party members.

  27. kirsdarke

    It’s dark enough as it is. I really don’t want to start making weapons and jackboots. I think I’d rather go to Manus.

  28. leonetwo,

    Sky News is reporting the Carbon Tax repeal legislation in the Senate is being pushed back and will not likely be considered before 14 July, after a report into Direct Action is tabled.
    You commented some time ago on the chaos this could cause. Seems it is about to happen.

  29. What other ways? Government by regulation, most likely. If the senate knocks something back you have the relevant minister come up with a regulation that will do the same thing, the GG signs it and it becomes law. Regulations do not have to go to the reps and the senate for voting.This governent has resorted to this tactic a few times on asylum seeker issues and has come unstuck, withdrawing one ahead of a high court challenge. If they try this tactic the senate will most likely move to have those regulations disallowed.

  31. Barry J
    I think I said Abbott would be lucky to get his carbon tax repeal through before September. Look at the dates –
    The senate will sit next week and the week after, until Thursday 17 July. Then there is a break until 26 August, when the senate returns for seven sitting days, until 4 September. Then there is another two week break. There is a lot to be debated in that time.
    http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Sitting_Calendar

    The government seems to have stopped huffing and puffing about imposing extra senate sitting days. The penny must have dropped. Even Abetz must have finally realised that the senate, not the government and certainly not him, sets the sitting timetable and a vote has to be taken on including any extra sessions. I can’t see the senate voting for such a daft idea.

  32. 24 just had ‘Zed’ on. I’m surprised he’s up and around at this time of day.

    Australia’s laziest politician.

  34. gravel

    I can well imagine that some people would overdo it. At the same time I’m not sure I quite see the suffering unless clothes are too tight or too warm or obstructive. I know dogs seem to be happy with coats on and horses don’t appear to mind their blankets. But maybe they’re uncomfortable with sweating; and we just don’t realise it.

  36. gigilene

    I put this up because I thought we could all do with a bit of a giggle every now and then. I don’t know that I agree or disagree with dressing animals, although I’d hate to see any ill effects. Hunter wears a coat outside when it is really cold, but as soon as he comes in he carries on until we take it off.

  37. gravel

    Thanks for the giggle. I particularly liked the hamster in his little vest. Come to think of it, there could be some “ill effects”. I’m thinking more of psychological ones. They might feel less of a being when dressed up, just like we would feel less of a person if you had to wear some sort of sack on our backs.

  38. Another book on Julia Gillard and it reveals how she really though about the ‘Ditch the Witch’ thing.

    In a new book, Gravity, by Gold Walkley award-winning journalist and former Victorian government minister Mary Delahunty, Julia Gillard speaks frankly for the first time about the significance of these gendered attacks on her authority as PM, and reveals her hurt and surprise that so many commentators and citizens stayed silent.
    ……………………………………………………..
    ‘Were you shocked by that?’ I asked her. ‘Yeah I was a bit.’

    Julia Gillard shifted in her easy chair and her voice softened. She had never revealed this before. Here in her private suite the pause seemed to echo. This topic was edging perilously close to the personal, a place Julia Gillard PM usually steered away from. The black handbag and spare pair of heels sitting on the carpet next to the big desk spoke of a different form of leadership, definitely lonelier. I was wondering about the bruises those crude placards had left on the woman, but the prime minister protected herself with analysis.

    ‘I wasn’t shocked that some people had those sentiments, not shocked by that, but shocked that it was so visibly called forth into the public debate and that it didn’t get the sort of odium from mainstream commentators that it should have,’ she said.
    ……………………….
    When I asked was she surprised that women politicians (Liberals Bronwyn Bishop and Sophie Mirabella) stood on the podium with Abbott in front of those signs, her answer was firm and fast ‘NO’ accompanied by a low, hard laugh.

    Running through anti-carbon tax rallies and other campaigns—including the lurid allegations that as a solicitor two decades prior she was involved in an Australian Workers Union slush fund organised by a former lover—was the implied smear that she was an illegitimate prime minister, that she had no morality and somehow her immorality was linked to her gender.

    Lancing a leader by calling her a liar is designed to destroy trust. Trust is crucial currency for any politician. ‘Liar’ is is regarded as such a damaging word that its use is forbidden in parliament

    http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/07/01/delahunty-on-gillard-%E2%80%93-how-she-really-felt-about-%E2%80%98ditch-the-witch%E2%80%99/

  39. It got some criticism but not the blitzkrieg that it should have. If you put it in the context of race, if I’d been the first Indigenous person to do this job and Tony Abbott stood in front of signs saying, ‘Ditch the Black Bastard’ I think that would have been the end of Tony Abbott as a viable candidate in public life and it would be the subject of community outrage that would have lasted for months and months. Yet it didn’t have that same effect.

    leone

    Interesting point by Julia Gillard.

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