The midpoint of the current federal Labor government’s term of office is a good time to take stock and assess its performance. What has it done in each of the major policy areas? What has not yet been done but needs to be done? What are the possibilities and prospects? More generally, what does the recent experience of Labor in government indicate about the role of the state and policies for reform within modern Australian capitalism?
This special theme issue of the Journal of Australian Political Economy (JAPE) contains 19 articles that address these concerns.
Policy analysis and policy prescription commonly intermingle in such discussions. The former engages with the ‘what, why and how’ questions, seeking to understand the drivers and constraints that shape the policy processes. The latter is more about what each proponent considers should be done. Political economy – from the era of classical political economy right through to the present day – has always exhibited both elements. Nowhere is this more so than in discussions of public policies where judgements about the ‘politics of the possible’ are both necessary and varied.
These features are evident throughout the journal. A broad array of policy fields is on display too. The coverage begins with consideration on the current economic challenges affecting real wages and the cost-of-living. Other articles address key economic policy areas relating to labour relations, industry, energy, trade, monetary and tax reform.
Social issues feature prominently too, including welfare provision and policies towards care for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Another cluster of articles addresses the key challenges relating to housing, health, schools, and the provision of infrastructure.
Current concerns about foreign affairs and national security are also explored through discussion of the controversial AUKUS deal, looking at both its local impacts and at how it positions Australia in a deeply troubled world. Other articles consider the powerful political economic impediments to effective climate change policies and the implications of the unsuccessful Voice referendum.
Analysis of these current policy challenges gains greater poignancy when it is recognised that Labor’s success in the 2022 federal election was only the fourth time in 7 decades that it had ousted the LNP Coalition from governing the nation. Articles in the new JAPE that reflect on the legacy of these historical experiences show the tensions as well as the possibilities when the Labor party is at the helm of the ship of state.
The range of authors includes many of Australia’s leading public policy analysts, sharing their expertise and judgements. The editors of JAPE invite you to freely select any articles you would like to view by clicking on the links below…
JAPE 92 Articles
Thomas Greenwell: The Economic Challenge
Greg Jericho, Charlie Joyce, Fiona Macdonald, David Peetz, and Jim Stanford: Labour Policies
Ben Spies-Butcher: Social Policy
Fiona Macdonald: Care Policies
Arthur Chesterfield-Evans: Health Policy
Lee Ridge: Infrastructure Policy
Matthew Ryan and Stuart Rosewarne: Energy Policy
Mark Dean and Shirley Jackson: Industry Policy
David Richardson and Frank Stilwell: Tax Reform
Andrew Mack: Foreign Policy and Security
Mike Berry: The Voice Referendum
Cian Galea: Breaking with Neoliberalism?
Darren Quinn: Lessons from Langmore’s Vision
Image credit: Anthony Albanese Facebook page.
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