Comments on: Warning to Australia: Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ failed in UK

By: Malcolm Street

Malcolm Street — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:32:36 +0000

Big difference from the UK - we have compulsory voting. In the UK the most affected are among the least likely to vote, here they do. If it’s backfired on Cameron, it would backfire on Abbott much quicker.

Steve 777 - check the IPA’s 72 (?) point plan, which the coalition seems to have been picking ideas on. That’s exactly what the IPA wants (including abolishing the ABC and privatising the CSIRO!).

By: Shaniq'ua Shardonn'ay

Shaniq'ua Shardonn'ay — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:31:52 +0000

The slogan reminds me of ‘Care in the Community’ the slogan used to justify the non-existent care that many seriously mentally ill members of our society now receive. Haven’t we worked out yet that charities and the religeous failed in the 19th Century to provide adequate care for the most needy in our society? Why should they perform any better now when they have fewer adherants than ever.

By: Steve777

Steve777 — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:02:34 +0000

Of course if you cut spending you cut what it pays for. I think people somehow imagine that when spending is cut, politicians, public servants and people they think are ‘bludgers’ will suffer, while they pay less tax while handouts are redirected to activities and people of which they approve (such as themselves). But cutting government expenditure means less public services - including public hospitals, public schools, police, Medicare, public infrastructure such as roads and public transport and so on. In principle it may mean reduced Defence spending, although right wingers normally want to increase it and cut deeper elsewhere.

The reduced spending and cutbacks, including sacking lots of public servants, ripples through the community and will probably affect them at some stage, up to and including they themselves or family members losing or not being able to get a job. If some on the far right had there way (which they will if we have three or four terms of Coalition government), public hospitals and public schools will be reduced to a third rate safety net and Medicare will probably be phased out. Who will be better off then?

By: Tim Niven

Tim Niven — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:53:43 +0000

The usual strategy of “selling” small government to the “punters” was spelled out by a NZ National Party strategist:

‘proposals for tax cuts need to be combined with attacks on wasteful public spending, otherwise the electorate will equate tax cuts with cuts to public services.’

So it’s entertaining to see this new, creative propaganda strategy.

I can’t see Australians being stupid enough to believe it.

By: Recalcitrant.Rick

Recalcitrant.Rick — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:32:13 +0000

Surely fool is spelt with a “t”…..

By: Bill Hilliger

Bill Hilliger — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:21:25 +0000

The likely next Australian government will be led by a big fool and that fool will be held upright by a team of little fools. The saying is that fools seldom differ - and mostly copy other fools in this case our UK successful fools. Look out and beware Australia, we will emulate the UK big society soul destroying policies. The western Sydney suburbs will get what they deserve; maybe pokie wins will keep them going, they’ll need it.

By: drmick

drmick — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:08:19 +0000

They still refuse to acknowledge the difference between small government and small minded government.
Its in their DNA!

By: Daniel Young

Daniel Young — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:44:07 +0000

“Big Society” is just a euphemism for “Small Government”, right?