Is the current Labour Government the worst in our political history?

Answer 1

YES

Answer 2

I don't believe we can make a fair comparison.

Firstly, population growth rates are at higher rates than they have been for a long time in Australia. Our infrastructure is reaching what I would call 'critical mass' in terms of population - that is - the lay-out of our cities, our road networks, etc. have been designed to support a much smaller population.

The increased and sustained growth rates and the capacity constraints of the infrastructure could not have been predicted in any manner, so we can't really blame them entirely for that (ie, a Liberal govt. wouldn't've handled it any better - if they could've, then Liberals would've raised something in State Parliaments - which they didn't).

Furthermore, the sustained drought is something else that couldn't be predicted with great accuracy. Most people expected the drought to break like they usually do. And yet again, a Liberal govt. probably wouldn't've done any better.

As for stamp duties and such which were supposed to be removed when GST came in, well the issue with that is the redistribution of GST amoungst the states by the Federal government. The states aren't willing to give up their various taxes, fees and charges, because they don't know how the Feds are going to split up GST revenues!

So if the feds gave a garantee that GST revenue collected in a state was going to be remitted to that state, the State Govt's might be more willing to cut those taxes, fees and charges.

It's rediculous. It's just State vs Federal politics.

Now furthermore, we have to ask ourselves - if the states were all Liberal run, would the Federal Government still have a massive accumulated budget surplus? The answer is DEFINITELY NOT.

Because there was no Liberal state governments, the Feds could underfund all Labor state governments, and not be accused of favouritism! But if it were partially Liberal and partially Labor states, then you would find that all states probably would've got slightly more money from the Feds, but if it was 100% Liberal governments, then the Feds would've given TONNES more money to Liberal governments - meaning that the budget surplus would be smaller today, and we would all be better off, and the states would've had to borrow to get things done.

But thankfully, the state governments have top notch credit ratings, so the cost of funds is cheap.

Answer 3

Well it's the same old same old with Labour Governments.. maybe they could sex things up a bit and go for the "summer of discontent" next year , things seem to be slipping away from Old Brown at the moment......
I am counting the days to the next General Election to get rid of them.... I think this lot of Labour cronies only feel like the worst because we are having to suffer them at the moment...when people vote the next useless lot of Labour Politicians in they may even be worst...

Answer 4

i'm sorry your premise is improper. fireplace and Police isn't a socialist business enterprise, they are public amenities paid for by using the those that are interior the area they provider. it somewhat is the reason i think that Democrats do no longer comprehend what socialism is. Socialism is the government possession of the skill of production. Like working example GM. They now provide GM tax breaks that competing companies are not getting that distorts the marketplace and could ultimately injury different vehicle manufacturers. the college equipment is improper through fact it somewhat is a central authority monopoly and lacks opposition that capitalism would grant if there replaced right into a loose marketplace in training. Capitalism isn't working appropriate through fact it has plenty interference from government. in fact there has been no loose capitalist marketplace for over one hundred years. definite we choose policies to guard the well-known public yet comprehend this for each regulation we've we get farther from a working loose-marketplace equipment.

Answer 5

Judging from the standard of basic grammar and spelling in these forums, I'd say education has gone totally down the toilet!

And the current Labour Government are the best we've ever had. Prison overcrowding, immigration, etc The problems we have now are acknowledged and discussed sensibly. Under the Tories, and before the Freedom of Information Act, if you dared ask these questions they'd just stick up 2 fingers!

Answer 6

Ah, the good old days of Thatcherism.

Unemployment over 3,500,000 (even after they'd fiddled the figures 29 times), a war allowed to happen to protect Thatcher's political interests, the lies about the government's intentions towards the coal industry, public utilities sold off cheap to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, cabinet ministers finding well paid positions on the boards of privatised utilities as soon as they left the cabinet, cash for questions.

No, for all its many flaws, I don't think the Labour government can live up to that.

Answer 7

It's one of the worst, but Harold Wilson's lot were near enough as bad. Labour Governments have always been bad news for the poplace!

Answer 8

You can't remeber Labour governments in the good old days, can you? Within eighteen months of getting elected the value of the pound would be in free fall, they would have to go to the International Monetary Fund to help prop it up, shortly after that inflation would be running at 25% and prices would double within about 3 years.

Ah yes, the good old days.

Answer 9

If you mean they are the worst ever because of their policy of allowing millions of people from any country whatsoever to stay in this country and claim benefits and free housing, plus free medical care - then yes, they are the worst.

Tony Blair was the slimy traitor who sat back and let it all happen. Where I live has been overrun by foreigners and is unrecognisable from 10 or even 5 years ago. I hope Blair contracts cancer and dies in agony, the scumbag.

Answer 10

Assuming you're speaking about the authorized practices of private businesses as regarding their laborers in the U.S., then no it's not. Not even remotely close. The faults we have with the system today pales by comparison to the truck system, child labor, and human treatment--existing in degrees up to the middle-late 20th century in America.

If you're referencing payment of wages, then I do feel there are issues. For instance, while it was in slave owners best interests to keep their slaves in working condition by supplying food and housing (agreeably, this system allowed for massive human rights abuse), the current laws governing employers (as well as a surplus of unskilled labor) allow them to avoid paying a livable wage (comparable to being able to feed oneself and family). Minimum wages allow for employers to pay an individual below what they need to survive, and force them to take on several jobs simply to get by. This system needs revamping, certainly. However, the alternatives already listed don't seem any better do they?

I'm not well enough versed in the economic fallout of a semi-socialist 'free market' economy to make a judgment on the 'worst/best' condition of it--especially with things like embargoes, tariffs and the stock market making things much more difficult to interpret. However, an in-depth study of complex systems may allow you to make an informed decision for yourself as to where our economic policies may be taking us.

Answer 11

Do you not remember the Thatcher government of the early 80s that had to invent a war to get reelected?