The decisive defeat of the Howard government is a significant victory for the people. It’s a setback for the Business Council of Australia, the peak body of big business corporations that rule this country, the architects of WorkChoices. It’s a slap in the face for US imperialism, which has lost one of its main puppets and apologists. All attention of this predator will now go into grooming Kevin Rudd to continue US domination over Australia, although with a veneer of more sophistication and independence.
WorkChoices was the main factor in the dumping of Howard. An effective information and resistance campaign was carried out in workplaces, in mass rallies and public meetings, leafleting shopping centres, street stalls, railway stations, month after month for more than two years.
Credit for initiating, organising and pursuing this campaign belongs to the many trade union delegates, unionists, community activists and ACTU and Trades and Labour Council leaders who carried the fight to the streets and to the people. It broke through the lies, scare-mongering and demonising of unions by the Liberal Party and monopoly media. It strengthened workers’ confidence in the relevance of unions, and provides solid ground on which to build and expand fighting unions.
Labor did almost nothing to mobilise the people against WorkChoices, but rode to victory on the backs of the union and community campaigns.
Political maturity
Another significant factor was the flood of evidence of climate warming caused by human activity, mainly industrial production and transport. Although Howard shifted from unbeliever to sceptic to reluctant convert, it was too late. The people were miles ahead of him.
Even economic management became a negative for Howard as interests rates increased, proving that the capitalist system cannot be so regulated, let alone controlled.
The increased vote for the Greens reflects a further growth of the political maturity of the Australian people. Many of their policies assist the people and show concern for their welfare, as well as being sensible and appropriate in regard to current environmental issues. As long as the Greens continue to support progressive campaigns among the people beyond the limitations of parliament, they will continue to win respect and support.
Overshadowing the election campaign issues were concerns about the war in Iraq, the treatment of refugees, undemocratic anti-terror laws, promotion of racism and division. These reactionary policies were also rejected by the Australian people.
It is important to understand the reasons for Howard’s demise. With such a massive rejection of these anti-people policies, Kevin Rudd will find it much harder to pursue similar policies, even though he fudged some issues with his ‘me too’ tactics during the election campaign.
And let’s not forget that his first diplomatic statement was to reassure George Bush, Hillary Clinton, Rupert Murdoch and Co. that he will continue to regard the USA as Number One, and will drop in as soon as he can.
What to expect
For those who did vote Labor, there are high expectations. No doubt there will be some minor blunting of the sharp edges of WorkChoices, such as phasing out AWAs, relaxing unfair dismissal provisions and allowing a small space for unions to operate. However, nothing fundamental will change. The bosses will still rule the roost; workers will still get ripped off and abused, profits will continue to rise, and the Business Council will continue to influence government according to the policy interests of US imperialism and local reactionaries.
Prepared, not panicked
As expectations are not met, or fall short, people will quickly learn important lessons. After the experience of previous Labor governments and the Howard years, they are less likely to be ‘understanding’ and forgiving of their parliamentary masters and will be more prone to look for new answers.
In this situation, people’s organisation can be expanded. As experience unfolds, progressive and revolutionary ideas can be introduced on a larger scale and more comprehensively.
Defeating Howard has been an important victory in the general struggle to free Australia from the grip of big business, headed by the American multinationals. This is a grip that has led to economic policies that hurt the people, the curtailment of rights, involvement in wars of aggression, and failure to act on the threat of global warming.
This victory strikes a blow for Australian independence, even though there remains a long struggle ahead to win this goal.
Australian independence will set the conditions for a socialist Australia where the country can truly by run by and for the working people.
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