Kim Beazley wasn�t cutting it so understandably Labor was looking for an alternative. The immediate options were Right v Right. The Left was divided as to which faction of the right-wing they would support. Anthony Albanese and those aligned with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union supported Kim Beazley. Peter Garret and Julia Gillard supported Kevin Rudd. Rudd, a likeable personality, has been able to seduce the Left. In reality, he is as right wing as hell. For anyone who has any sense of socialist belief, voting for either, critically or otherwise, is totally and thoroughly unprincipled. Kim Beazley was Labor�s most right wing Labor leader ever. We don�t know his full position as he never got the chance to present his complete policy statements. From what we know, Rudd is not close behind.
Rudd claims to be a Christian. His version of Christian is popularist. He is the quiet, caring type and not a zealous Bible bashing bastard. This has put the Liberals on the defensive. Tony Abbot at the Young Liberals� conference made a speech suggesting that Rudd was "shaming Christians into voting Labor". In fact, Abbott has also used the Christian card to suggest that they should support the Liberals. We think Abbott�s outburst reflects desperation, a fear that Liberals might lose Christian support. Whilst Rudd has no hesitation in expressing his faith, he has yet to use it as a political weapon, to pressure people. We wouldn�t put it past him though!
Rudd has yet to give us a full policy but what there is of it is clearly right-wing. He opposes WorkChoices which (doesn�t) "get the balance right between fairness and flexibility for working families". Yet he rejects the idea of ripping up the legislation. Is he talking about reforming this legislation? He doesn�t say. Julia Gillard made it crystal clear on ABC TV that Labor is committed to a "modern economy" and would act "in the national interest" as opposed to bowing to any sectorial interest. This included unions. Translated this means: Unions beware!
The Legislation should be ripped up and anything else that sells out working people. Kevin Rudd has been to Tasmania, making sure he left Peter Garret behind. His main purpose was to ensure the logging industry of its support. The logging industry ihas the support of its workers who fear losing their jobs. We say defend jobs by shortening the working week without loss of pay. Both jobs and old growth forests could then be preserved. Rudd would never support this.
Many voters will endorse Rudd�s support for a Bill of Rights. This is linked to explicit rejection of nationalisation and Labor�s socialist objective. This is a turn to the right. Rudd also refuses to campaign for a republic. He claims he can handle an elected president "when the Australian people want it". It�s clear Rudd won�t be campaigning for it.
The most serious attack threatened by Rudd is against those with disabilities. Last year Howard made some horrendous attacks on social welfare. If you are less disabled than 18% you are forced to satisfy the work test, look for work or perhaps do work for the dole. Some with serious illness such as cystic fibrosis have been affected. Rudd supports all this and wants to go further. His emphasis is on training. He wants forced training for the disabled. Those who refuse will be breached. His proposes to tighten the definition of who is disabled. If you are capable of working fifteen hours a week or more, then you will be put on Newstart, and expected to perform as able-bodied unemployed.
Former shadow minister Penny Wong said Labor wants to be a "party of workers" as opposed to "one of welfareism". These pernicious attacks will save the government money. But the poor will suffer. It is a myth that the crisis of unemployment can be solved by more training. This applies to both disabled and able-bodied workers.
The Iraq war is an objective factor in favour of Rudd. Howard is beating the American drum. The problem is the Coalition is losing the war. As a result, the war is very unpopular in the United States as it is here. Rudd can claim an alliance with the US Democrats who now control both houses of Congress. Howard has an alliance with the unpopular Bush administration. Rudd may distance himself from some US imperialist measures. But US bases will remain on Australian soil and America can count on Rudd when it matters!
Rudd�s image is far removed from working class people. He wants a Labor Party for middle class yuppies. He reflects the new Labour of Blair in England and Helen Clark in New Zealand. These leaders are anti-working class reactionaries. So too is Rudd. Class conscious workers should reject his thoroughly degenerated version of social democracy.