Australian Democracy at a Tipping Point

Guest Author Uncategorized

Today’s Guest Poster is Paul G. Dellit, from The Australian Independent Media Network. It is a good summary much of what many us have been thinking and saying for a long time.

(Image Credit: Otiose94)

Well, we may well have reached the tipping point between genuine democracy in Australia and the beginnings of creeping fascism. You may think this to be one of those ‘shock-horror’ attention-grabbing opening sentences. It is. And I also believe it to be an unalloyed statement of the danger we now face.

History is littered with hindsight surprise that those with power and those who might have opposed those with power didn’t take action to avoid an obviously looming disaster. Of course, the ‘loomingness’ of disasters is often not appreciated by its contemporaries. It would be naïve to expect otherwise. Couldn’t they see that the South Sea Bubble would burst? Couldn’t they see that a grossly overheated investment market populated with stocks that were either massively overvalued or worthless would result in ever-widening ripples of market failures and a worldwide Great Depression. Couldn’t they see you don’t fix Depressions by reducing the size of economies. Obviously they couldn’t see any of those things. And with the dawning optimism of a new century, they couldn’t even remember them, or if they could, they were playing that ‘main chance’ game of ‘I’ll make what I can make out of this and bugger all of the rest of them who lose the lot’.

Prime Minister Abbott and his acolytes, Ministers Dutton and Morrison, propose the passing of a law that would create a precedent for the end of the rule of law in this country. It would invest a Minister with the powers of policeman, judge and jury to act upon an untested suspicion of guilt to deprive an Australian of his/her citizenship. Following current LNP practice, the reasons for stripping someone of their citizenship would be deemed secret for security reasons. So this Ministerial power would be exercised covertly and absolutely beyond judicial or other form of independent review. The Minister would be required to form his suspicions on the basis of the intelligence provided to him. The name Dr. Haneef immediately springs to mind. But even if our security organisations and the foreign security organisations with whom they trade information were as infallible as our PM believes the Pope to be, and even if they had no self-interested agendas, the Minister invested with this power could exercise it to suit his own ends – say, just before an election – to manufacture a terrorist scare and then appear to be the ‘man of the hour’ who restores our peace of mind (coincidentally winning the votes of a few more undecided Alan Jones listeners to save his marginal seat).

The proponents of changing Australia from a common law country, based upon the separation of powers, to rule by ministerial fiat, as their proposal would enable through the precedent it would establish, argue that they are honourable men who would exercise their new powers dispassionately, wisely, and in the public interest. Of course, this is irrelevant. Laws are not made to fit the character of current holders of high office. They are intended to safeguard against, as far as possible, abuse by those who are partisan, stupid, and prone to act in their own self-interest.

The proposed new law deliberately excludes those safeguards.

Consequently, we need some way of ensuring that the current and all subsequent Ministers, thus empowered, will ensure the intelligence they receive is impeccable, and will interpret that intelligence dispassionately, wisely, and in the public interest.

So let’s run an eye over the proponents of the new law, just for starters.

Malcolm Fraser considered Tony Abbott to be perhaps the most dangerous politician in Australian history. You may have thought that a little hyperbolic. I did. There can be little doubt that our current Prime Minister is the least equipped for high office since Sir William McMahon. And the record also shows that Prime Minister Abbott was able to pass through one of Australia’s finest schools and one of England’s finest universities untouched by exposure to academic research methods, the principles of logic and dispassionate evaluation, the values-free acquisition of knowledge, and even by the evidence that compassion and empathy are fundamental to social cohesion. It is apparent that his academic success is based upon often uncomprehended rote learning, the way he learned and then recited his Catechism as a small child. These are flaws in the makeup of the man that speak to his lack of intelligence and general incompetence.

But as we began to see in the run up to the most recent election, and as more information about Tony Abbott’s past was revealed, we began to understand that Malcolm Fraser’s assessment of him was, if anything, an understatement. We began to see his pathological need to win, we read of his violence against a woman when he lost, we observed his relentless, dishonest, misogynistic attacks upon Julia Gillard as part of his strategy to win office, we heard the litany of lies he told to win office, and the lies he has told about lying and about anything else to suit his purpose, after he had won office.

How could we ever contemplate granting power without safeguards to a person with such a pathological need to win, to get his own way, and to retain power regardless of the consequences for anyone else? Can we imagine Peter Dutton having the stomach to independently exercise his discretion against the wishes of Tony Abbott? It wouldn’t matter if he did. Tony Abbott has the Captain’s right to sack him and bestow that office upon himself if he needed to to get his own way. And can we imagine Scott Morrison doing anything that would compromise his leadership ambitions? Smug self-satisfaction was his only reaction to the human tragedy unfolding daily as the result of the exercise of his Ministerial discretion?

It was some small relief to know that the more intelligent members of Cabinet objected to the extreme Abbott proposal that second generation Australians could be stripped of their citizenship based on nothing more than a Minister’s suspicion, as we have said, covertly exercised and beyond judicial or other independent review.

But now, two thirds of the LNP Back Bench have signed a letter in support of the proposed Abbott law. They may be distinguished as a group for being considered not good enough to serve on the most incompetent Front Bench since Federation, but they may just give Tony the support he needs to make another ‘Captain’s Call’.

If Prime Minister Abbott does cross this Rubicon, so will Australia and God help Australian democracy when Ministers of any stripe use the precedent set by this law to expand its operation into other aspects of our lives to suit their own personal ends.

600 thoughts on “Australian Democracy at a Tipping Point”

  2. 2gravel
    glad to hear you have a new pooter. I am waiting for son to give me one of his, when we decide which one can be sacrificed to my pups walking across the keyboard.

  3. Preceded by: “Is your computer plugged in?” and “Is the power switch on?”

  6. Puffy

    It is Razz that has the ‘new’ laptop, lucky her. Mine is still chugging along, a bit slow, but we are very old friends, and I don’t like trading in old friends for new ones, unless there is absolutely no other alternative. As I said, we have the best computer man, he is local, and has done heaps without charging us unless it actually costs him.

  9. Kaffee

    That’s a wee bit earlier than my computer experience with Windows. Started on an Amstrad, which was basically a typewriter compared to what we have now, then next was the Awesome Windows 98, or was there a 96 version, if so that was our first one.

  13. Joe Root just got rooted. Pomgolians go from 47-0 to 62-4 .Oi Oi Oi.

  17. An English summer is a bit of a handicap but who knows . Joe was a tad unlucky but “How Sad” .

  18. Lenore is getting stuck into Il Dunce

    You may have seen that, last December, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the RBA jointly announced measures aimed at trying to curb further lending to housing property investors.

    But when the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, asked the prime minister, Tony Abbott, about the treasury secretary’s remarks on Tuesday, it was as if none of that had ever happened.

    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/02/bubbles-and-squeaks-over-housing-market-in-tony-abbotts-chamber-of-slogans

  19. PME Julia Gillard’s Facebook post on the passing of Joan Kirner:

    Joan Kirner was much loved and she will be sorely missed.

    As we mourn her loss, we remember a life well lived and passionately committed to social justice. We remember Joan for her commitment to education. For becoming the first woman to lead the State of Victoria. For her love of family and community.

    After her time as Premier, Joan could have chosen a quieter and easier life. But that simply would not have been Joan. Instead, her generosity of spirit and capacity for hard work meant her formidable energy went in to ensuring more Labor women entered parliament. Labor’s affirmative action rule and the creation of Emily List would not have been possible without Joan.

    For a generation of Labor women, including me, she was an inspiration and a mentor. We admired her stoicism. We celebrated her policy achievements. We were guided by her wisdom.

    For me, the relationship went beyond one of student and mentor. Joan was the truest of friends. She was one of the dominant influences on my life. I basked in her warmth and treasured her support.

    My deepest condolences go to the wonderful Kirner family. I am heartened to know that Joan died surrounded by those she loved so much.

    I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to see Joan on Friday and to say what needs to be said between friends when time comes to say goodbye.

    I had the opportunity to witness the care and commitment of her medical team, particularly the nursing staff, and thank them for their professionalism and compassion.

  20. Commodore 24. but there was one before that. I cannot remember what it was. I know I did not get the Vic 20. The kids had an Atari games system.

  23. puffytmd

    Something ’16’ comes to mind . Does that jog any memories ?

  26. My Father taught us how to count…we could only count to seven…he had lost two fingers in the war.

  28. I did once have a Mac plus…..plus a southwester…for the winter rains..

    Say!!…whereTF is everybody??

  39. Correction: TRS-80 Model II. (16k RAM, numeric keypad and “real” BASIC, not the weird abbreviated one.)

  40. CTar1,

    The silly git should never have stood again – especially after those Zurich arrests.

  41. TRS80 Model 1, with a whole 48K RAM and two floppy disks. Bought LDOS and later a BASIC compiler from this small company with only one distributor in Adelaide. The company was Microsoft.

  42. Fiona

    FIFA’s internal disfunctionality on show when its said that it may take until March to organise an election.

  45. Ha! No thanks, quite over the TRS80! For my sins I wrote an order entry and invoicing program—talk about blood sweat and tears! But I do think it printed quite nice invoices including spaces for messages “Your subscription is due next month” and so on.

  46. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. There’s plenty to look at today!

    Ross Gittins says that the budget nasties have gone but fairness is hardly back.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/budget-nasties-are-gone-but-fairness-is-hardly-back-20150602-gheovj.html
    Well it didn’t take long for the puff of smoke to come from the FIFA chimney!
    http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sepp-blatter-says-he-will-resign-as-fifa-president-and-calls-for-fresh-election-20150602-ghfd58.html
    And it would seem that the FBI’s decision to investigate Blatter may have had something to do with it.
    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-boss-sepp-blatter-investigated-by-fbi-over-soccer-bribery-probe-20150602-ghfe1a.html
    This doesn’t smell does it?
    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hurstville-mayor-con-hindis-daughter-makes-330000-profit-in-12-days-20150602-ghf6ur.html
    Has Baird shot his mouth off over the poles and wires? But Fred Nile is standing with him.
    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/some-disconnect-inquiry-wants-premier-mike-bairds-300-billion-power-claim–tested-by-experts-20150602-ghf53i.html
    Meanwhile the horrible Fred Nile continues his handiwork in trying to outlaw ethics classes.
    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mike-baird-denies-deal-with-fred-nile-over-proposed-ethics-class-changes-20150602-ghdt8z
    Don’t tell Abbott his! He’ll cream his jeans.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/diggers-need-to-join-iraq-battlefield-defence-experts-say-20150602-ghf6l7.html
    I wouldn’t back Hilary in yet. The Repugs and Murdoch have been waiting years for the opportunity to king hit her.
    http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-election/hillary-clinton-polling-wobbles-ahead-of-presidential-campaign-launch-20150602-ghfdmx.html
    Jonathan Holmes – The hacking scandal has not changed Murdoch.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/hacking-scandal-has-not-changed-murdoch-20150602-ghekss
    Outsourcing threatens to wreck the Australian Medical Journal.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/hacking-scandal-has-not-changed-murdoch-20150602-ghekss

  47. Section 2 . . .

    So the government will make changes to superannuation – but only to pay the piper (retail funds).
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/assistant-treasurer-josh-frydenberg-super-tax-change-could-come-after-the-election-20150602-ghf6me.html
    Put the following string into a Google search to see how Bilson has made a critical error in small business protection legislation.
    /article/2015/6/3/small-business-sme/small-business-will-be-furious-billsons-broken-promises
    Tracking Abbott’s wreckage – the May update.
    http://sallymcmanus.net/abbotts-wreckage/
    Now we might get hired and fired by a computer.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/hired-and-fired-by-computer-the-data-used-to-select-who-to-employ-20150602-ghefny
    Somehow Julia seems more believable and Rudd’s denials hollow when one considers his reputation for hotheadedness.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/julia-gillard-claims-kevin-rudd-bullied-and-intimidated-her-20150602-ghempb
    The SMH editorial comes down hard on Abbott’s ridiculous comments on the housing bubble.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-editorial/tony-abbott-must-do-more-to-improve-housing-affordability-20150602-gheku8
    Big Pharma in Australia gets away with paying bugger all tax and will most likely get a bonanza from the TPP. Why?
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/pharmaceutical-companies-called-on-to-explain-tiny-tax-contribution-20150602-ghf59s.html
    Another facet to the citizenship discussion.
    http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mafia-figures-bikies-and-sex-fiends-to-be-kicked-out-of-victoria-under-visa-cancellation-laws-20150602-ghf1dd.html
    Peter Martin reveals families could be up to $84 per week worse off under the 2015 budget.
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/federal-budget-2015-hit-to-family-payments-to-reach-84-per-week-20150602-gheyzl.html
    Why we will be paying more for prescription drugs.
    http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/health/why-youll-be-paying-more-for-prescription-medicines/story-fni0dguy-1227379544642

  48. Section 3 . . .

    The US passes surveillance reform in vindication of Edward Snowden.
    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/02/congress-surveillance-reform-edward-snowden
    Liberal MPs push back on SSM. Just look at the photo of Abbott and Gorgeous George Christensen!
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/conservative-mps-push-back-as-support-for-samesex-marriage-gains-momentum-20150602-ghemu0

    Cormann does not deny being the leaker on the cooked budget books with respect to the earnings of the future fund.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/mathias-cormann-does-not-deny-he-leaked-against-treasury-following-cook-the-books-row-20150602-gheva1.html
    Kristina Keneally gets stuck in on the citizenship removal debate.
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/02/abbott-just-cant-get-rid-of-all-the-bad-people-democracy-stands-in-the-way
    There should be no place for Jesus (or Allah or Buddha or any other deity) in the cabinet room.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-cabinet-fight-a-come-to-jesus-moment-20150602-gher34.html
    “View from the Street” has its say on the moment.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-abbott-christ-superstar-20150602-ghf671.html
    The Pope’s man who came out against Pell will not be silenced by Pell’s legal action threats.
    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/02/vatican-official-and-sex-abuse-survivor-will-not-be-silenced-by-george-pell-legal-threat
    Ben Eltham on how Brandis can destroy the arts sector without really trying.
    https://newmatilda.com/2015/06/02/art-being-george-brandis-how-destroy-sector-without-even-really-trying
    Michelle Grattan says there’s a lot of finger pointing going on within the Coalition.
    https://theconversation.com/oh-lordy-what-a-sight-a-cabinet-room-come-to-jesus-moment-42690

  49. Section 4 . . .

    The 28 worst things the Liberals did yesterday.
    http://www.ellistabletalk.com/2015/06/03/the-twenty-eight-worst-things-the-liberals-did-yesterday-266/
    Lenore Taylor on Abbott’s housing bubble comments in his chamber of slogans.
    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/02/bubbles-and-squeaks-over-housing-market-in-tony-abbotts-chamber-of-slogans
    Ron Tandberg and the “back to Jesus moment”.

    Alan Moir and the leaky cabinet room.

    Cathy Wilcox on productivity improvements being demanded of APS staff.

    Ron Tandberg on the principles of justice in the Catholic Church.

    John Spooner has worked them out!

    Lovely work from Mark Knight in farewelling Joan Kirner.

    MUST SEE! David Rowe and holy communion in the cabinet room.

    Bill Leak also takes us into the cabinet room.

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