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May 27, 2005
it makes sense
Now this article makes a lot of sense. Consider what Sean Barratt says:
People argue about what constitutes the so-called third sector but the truth is that people are putting their time and money where their beliefs are. Membership and support for non-government organisations are increasing; the opposite is the case with traditional political parties.Research continues to show that trust in non-government organisations is greater than in business and politicians. Many activist groups do not have traditional membership structures but coalesce around an issue.
I would argue that with the Howard Government gaining control of the Senate in July federal Parliament is not the place to be. Howard and Costello will rule ruthlessly, the ALP will be mercilessly mocked and taunted, there will be little questioning or revision of government policy, and the theatre of politics will become a farce.
Why bother working in such a climate when the policy work is going to be done by the ngo's? Given the Howard-Costello onslaught against the ALP--eg over the budget tax cuts---the political parties will increasingly be run by the political operatives in search of clever tactics, images, headlines, wedge politics and a clever line for the media.
The muscles are being flexed whilst the buying of influence, favour and access to ministers at those expensive fundraising dinners will only increase. Parliament becomes a political market.
Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at May 27, 2005 03:43 PM
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