Labor, The Liberals And The End Of Ideology In Australia

Abstract

This article argues that the long-dormant “end of ideology” debate may have contemporary relevance in Australia as far as the economic policies and stance on poverty alleviation of the Hawke Labor Government and Liberal Opposition are concerned. The paper describes the bipartisanship that has emerged in the key area of economic policy and the lack of commitment to poverty alleviation on the part of either major political party. The economic and income support policies of the Liberals represent a further extension of “Fraserism.” For Labor, both their economic and social policies represent a fundamental departure. The net result is a consensus over the merits of neo-conservative economics, a less-caring society, and a loss of sovereignity by the Australian electorate.