Share

Originally published in The Canberra Times on September 14, 2013

A common response from progressive Australians to electoral defeat is to threaten to move to New Zealand. 

Just what moving to a country with a weaker economy, worse weather and a conservative government is supposed to achieve is typically left unsaid. 

There is no doubt that if he sticks to his word there will be plenty for progressives to complain about in the next few years.

But at the same time, a close look at what many members of his new backbench want, and an even closer look at the composition of the new crossbench in the Senate, suggests there is a wide range of areas where substantial progressive reform may be possible.

Related documents

Attachment

Between the Lines Newsletter

The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.

You might also like

The election exposed weaknesses in Australian democracy – but the next parliament can fix them

by Bill Browne

Australia has some very strong democratic institutions – like an independent electoral commission, Saturday voting, full preferential voting and compulsory voting. These ensure that elections are free from corruption; that electorate boundaries are not based on partisan bias; and that most Australians turn out to vote. They are evidence of Australia’s proud history as an