The U.S. economy looks like it’s going to the dogs. Europe’s is not well either. Countries, like Australia, are not too far behind.
Aggravated by the ongoing Coronavirus, the deteriorating situation can no longer be dressed by a pretense that everything is getting back too normal. Continue reading Economic downturn due to both economic structure and the Coronavirus
As crisis after crisis mounts up, Donald Trump has found his hold on the White House becoming increasingly shaky, and he is making plans to stay there. Continue reading Donald Trump raises the prospect of open dictatorship in the face of a political crisis
American investors own the lion’s share of the majority of big companies operating in Australia. This means the Australian economy is tightly bound to the economy of the United States. Given that the American economy is the world’s biggest, and Australia’s tiny by comparison, the former enjoys tremendous political clout over Australia. Continue reading Australia’s confrontation with China comes from US power over Australia
Yesterday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg set the scene for a massive cut in government spending. The cornerstone of his presentation was the deficit blowout of $184 billion. The essence is that the money must come from somewhere. Continue reading Frydenberg signals intention to rely on old fallacies instead of a proper plan for the economy
Praise over the Morrison government’s generosity with JobSeeker and JobKeeker is misplaced and premature. Continue reading The government’s new generosity toward those out of work is a hoax
Australia is in a crisis, the magnitude of which requires a new approach based on putting people first. ACTU President Michelle O’Neill outlines the plan.
Scott Morrison’s government can no longer hide behind the Robodebt system. It blew up in its face. Now there is no choice but to scrap it under its current form. It is technically illegal and cannot continue.
A weak apology to those who were hurt is far from good enough. It’s even worse, when there is a refusal to rule out that such thing ever happening again. There even a refusal to guarantee that money wrongfully extracted will be paid back, or to stop hounding those the system has targeted.
Such meanness says a lot about how Scott and his mates see those who are not in their special club.
A leaked document obtain by The Guardian reveals that the illegal ‘income averaging’ method has been used widely. Staff at Centrelink were instructed to use the method in 2015,when the Robodebt system was put into operation. Although this was before Scott Morrison became the Prime Minister, he has continued it.
Since 2015, the number of claimed debts exploded, from around 20,000 a year to 20,000 a month.
Those without work and those without a decently paying job are seen as a resource to create an army of cheap labour, to pull down the wages of those who do have a proper job.
To do this effectively, a section of the population must be marginalised, have hope stripped away from them, and be made desperate enough to work for crumbs. Businesses can then demand more of their workers, with the promise that there are plenty of others prepared to do your job for less.
Rising unemployment and insecure work serve this purpose.
It’s a method that has been used through history and becomes more pronounced during times of economic difficulty. But this does not fit a society and economy that claims to be fair.
While some employers might benefit in the short-run, history has shown that when this persists and becomes the norm, the economy is undermined.
By aiding this Scott Morrison and those around him are betraying those they claim to serve and don’t really give a hoot about the future of Australia. They are there to serve the big end of town and line their own pockets.
The sooner everyone decides to consign this lot to history the better. Imagine if they were similarly chased to recover ill gotten gains.
The new fast-growing national movement to hit Australia, Living Incomes For Everyone, was launched on Tuesday 21 July.Thousands watch online during the event or after. It is on Facebook and has been included below.
Continue reading Big movement for economic and social justice is taking off
Video by Rebel Diaz
New York based hispanic hip hop Rebel Diaz are about people organising and fighting injustice, working together and creating a new world. Their lyrics are moving draw the audience into what they are saying.
The event has been organised by the Latin American solidarity Campaign (LASNET) to raise funds to support indigenous political prisoners in Chile now on a hunger strike, political prisoners from the national uprising agianst the government, and to support community kitchens providing food for the poor and hungry.
The charge is $12.
Register on this Facebook link Continue reading Live Rebel Diaz concert on Saturday 11 July
No doubt about it. Victoria’s state government has done more to combat Covid-19 than any other around Australia. This is not to say that it has all been perfect. Nevertheless, what it has done has not been able to prevent Melbourne being the epicentre of what could be the start of a second wave outbreak. Continue reading The high rise lockdown in Victoria and the lesson this provides
