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ABSTRACT
While it is often claimed that the Australian Labor Party was ‘bolder’ under Bill Shorten than under both Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, the party’s discourse and ideology of this period has not yet been comprehensively examined. Framed in the 2019 election as ‘shifty’, Shorten is arguably best remembered for his lack of popularity; yet this obscures the degree of ideological transformation he oversaw. In this article, I analyse key speeches and policy documents to transcend superficial impressions and examine Shorten Labor’s revised discursive framings and ideological positions. While not without ideological contradiction, notably regarding Labor’s own neoliberal economic reform legacy, I find Shorten’s leadership represented a significant progressive reorientation of ALP ideology and discourse on both economic and social issues, particularly compared to Gillard. Specifically, Shorten Labor articulated a socially progressive and inclusive social democratic politics that was once-again prepared to critique markets and their role in producing inequality.
Acknowledgement
In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I report that I am a casual employee of a Federal Australian Labor Party parliamentarian in addition to my PhD studies. This article has been written solely in my capacity as a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide and reflects my personal views and opinions only.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 While ‘postmaterialist’ values give priority to ‘self-expression and quality of life’, ‘materialist’ values give priority to ‘economic and physical security’ (Inglehart Citation1990, 47).
2 See also Kriesi et al (Citation2012).
3 See Stiglitz Citation2013, Piketty Citation2013.
4 Howard built on the legacy of the Hawke-Keating governments with regards to market liberalisation, but reduced the ‘collectivist Australian accent’ of their reforms (Redden 2017, 715).
5 Pattern bargaining involves worker representatives bargaining for the same rights and awards across multiple enterprises (Fair Work Commission Citation2020).
6 See Patenaude (Citation2019) as an example; Mutz (Citation2018); Mondon & Winter (Citation2019) for a critique.
7 ‘Wedge’ politics involves one party ‘targeting unpopular or stigmatised social issues or groups as a way of defining ‘mainstream politics’ and linking political opponents to their support for these issues or groups’ (Wilson and Turnbull Citation2001, 385).
8 This program applied regardless of Aboriginal status, but focus was placed on school attendance in Aboriginal communities, as evidenced by its trial in remote areas with significant Indigenous populations.
9 See Eisenstein (2017) for a theoretical perspective on tensions between neoliberalism and feminism.
10 See Cohen (Citation2020) regarding the politics of gender backlash.
11 Labor resolved in 2015 to bind its MPs to support same-sex marriage in the 46th Parliament.
12 The Shorten period also saw the decline in influence of many socially conservative figures within the ALP (Bonyhady Citation2020), likely contributing to Labor’s more progressive position on same-sex marriage.
13 For an exploration of ‘cross-pressured’ potential centre-left voters, see Gidron (Citation2020).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Nick Falcinella
Nick Falcinella is a PhD Candidate in Politics & International Relations at the University of Adelaide. His research examines social democratic and centre-left political parties, predominantly the Australian Labor Party, and how they are responding to social, political and economic change.