The news cycle is full of problems… but what about solutions? Welcome to IDEAS, a series where we ask experts, thinkers and insiders to share their thoughts on how to tackle the biggest challenges facing young people today, in Australia and around the world.
You feel it too, right? The sense of hope, optimism and excitement that’s come with the new Labor government, that this might be a cohort of politicians that will listen to what we need. A revolutionary concept! But as author Yassmin Abdel-Magied observed, while the optimism is justified, progress is not guaranteed. There is a lot that the new government needs to do to prove it’s worthiness to public – especially young people.
So, from a long list of pressing changes that need to be made to the way politics works in Australia… what should Anthony Albanese’s government do first? We asked five commentators with different backgrounds and perspectives for their priorities.
What is one thing the new Labor government needs to implement to fulfil its promise to voters?
Carly Findlay OAM
Writer
“Now Labor is in, please can we have a disabled Disability Minister? I’m well aware that not all disabled people want to work in disability fields. But how amazing will it be when an actually disabled person is leading the Disability portfolio, as we will now have an Indigenous Affairs Minister that is Linda Burney.
Our previous NDIS Ministers don’t seem to care about disabled people, seeing us as burdens. And while Bill Shorten is a great ally, and really cares about the issues disabled people face, he’s not disabled. Perhaps Shorten can show allyship by stepping aside for an actually disabled Minister? If not now, how about mentoring someone for the future? I and many other disabled people would welcome an appointment as such; Senator Jordon Steele John advocated for this last month.
And no, lived experience of disability isn’t proximity to disabled people.”
Yasmin Poole
Youth advocate and Rhodes Scholar
“I want a federal equal remuneration principle, which Federal ALP endorsed in 2018. This principle allows the Fair Work Commission to order a higher award rate for female dominated industries through considering if they have been structurally disadvantaged.
The principle is essential to improve pay for care industries, which is female-dominated and generally has very low pay. COVID-19 showed how care is the backbone of the economy, yet these low wages still show the harmful assumption that women are expected to provide care rather than valuing the professional skill of the care workforce.”
Leftist Downunder
TikTok Political Commentator
“Labor has a lot of hurdles to clear coming into this government, and a lot of promises to keep. For me, the most important issue will always be the climate, but that is not a one and done policy making game. What is one and done, however, is the Federal Anti-Corruption and Integrity Commision.
Labor ran heavily on their anti-corruption plan, and were deeply critical of the Morrison government’s failure to provide a Federal ICAC. Morrisons government was perhaps the most scandalous and corrupt government we have had since Federation, and the Australian public knew it. Integrity and corruption were clearly at the front of their minds as they delivered the Coalition the worst election result they’ve had in decades, and Labor need to now demonstrate to that public that they are committed to cleaning house and keeping that kind of corruption from infecting our democracy any further.”
Crystal Andrews
Zee Feed Founder & Editor
“I want to see this new crop of politicians set an example with the way they conduct themselves. These are, supposedly, the most powerful people in the country – the way they treat each other in their workplace, the language they use in public and private, the body language they display, sends a message to everyone in Australia about what is acceptable.
It’s not a policy focus per se, but it impacts the way every policy decision and political message is received. When our leaders literally turn their backs on someone speaking in Parliament, when they smirk at tough questions, call each other names, cover up bullying and assault, it normalises that behaviour. These aren’t power moves or ‘just what it takes’. We have enough of seeing bully behaviour in Parliament – I want to the new government to show passion, respect, intelligence and empathy in their day-to-day actions instead.”
Em Whittingstall
Team Member at Raise Our Voice Australia
“I would really like to see the implementation of all 55 recommendations of the Respect@Work report. As we’ve seen over the past year, it has become impossible to ignore how prevalent issues of sex discrimination and sexual harassment are in Australia. If the Labor government wants to ensure a better future for Australians, particularly Australian women, then they must set an example and prioritise the safety of women in all workplaces.”
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