A revival of the ‘left’ in Australia?
by Erin Maclean
Now is an exciting time to be a left-leaning voter in the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK). After years of stasis in these liberal democracies, the left — which can be described as the more progressive or liberal political position — is increasing in traction.
But as The Guardian explains, it is a much less exciting time to be left leaning in Australia. Though Australia is also a liberal democracy and, as such, dedicated to the principles of political freedom, no party currently services voters with more progressive leftist ideals. Instead, traditionally left-leaning major parties — historically, the Australian Labor Party and the Greens — are hovering more around the centre.
The centre is, of course, a fairly safe middle ground — one that served Labor well in the 2007 and 2010 federal elections. As disenchantment with the Australian political system rises, however, there is a clear demand for political diversity and, with that, a revival of the left seen elsewhere in the world.
This leftist push has had some impact in Australia. In 2015, the socially progressive, Malcolm Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott, arguably, the most conservative prime minister in recent memory. It seems the Liberal Party, although still fiscally conservative, may be shifting to its ‘little l’ liberal roots in social terms.
In this way, Malcolm Turnbull demonstrates the simplicity of the left/right distinction. These terms can refer to both social and economic dimensions, which are independent of one another.
A politician, like Turnbull, can be socially progressive (or ‘left’) in support of personal freedoms and social responsibility, but yet also economically conservative (or ‘right’) by believing in small government and the free market.
Turnbull is, as a piece on The Conversation argues, potentially the ideal balance between progressive and conservative for a Liberal leader and prime minister in the 21st century. But despite his appeal to some left-leaning voters, the Turnbull-led Coalition hardly reflects the left-wing revival of the US and UK.
The US and UK political landscapes
The US and UK are very different politically. They have entirely different systems — a constitutional republic versus a constitutional monarchy — and, while the US presidency is held by a Democratic (left-leaning) candidate, the Conservative Party (which leans to the right) is in government in the UK.
Yet the revival of the left is underway in both regions.
Rather than the centrist candidates of recent times, both regions have self-described socialists competing for the top job. Bernie Sanders, who is vying for the Democratic nomination in this year’s US election, this month broke records with his win of the New Hampshire primary. Jeremy Corbyn, on the other hand, is — albeit controversially — leading the UK’s Labour Party and Opposition.
Though they may or may not win the next elections, the pair are ushering in a new liberalism for their parties. Regardless of which party or candidate wins the 2016 US presidential election, for example, The Atlantic explains Bernie Sanders is part of a movement that ensures the 2016–2020 president will be more progressive than Barack Obama (if a Democrat) or George W. Bush (if a Republican).
But political commentators suggest Sanders has a chance. Rachel Maddow has convincingly argued an “unapologetically liberal candidate” like Bernie Sanders can attract far more voters than a centre-left candidate like Hillary Clinton. While Clinton may appeal to the American majority — and could certainly win on that broader appeal — centrists are less politically engaged than consistently left or right voters. That means Sanders can tap into a passionate but underutilised and underrepresented pool of voters.
To add to his potential success, Sanders’ campaign is particularly well timed in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Tough economic times are politically polarising and research by the Pew Research Center confirms that American political views are more polarised than ever before. This polarity has bred conflict — with the Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter movements arising out of the greater inequality in the country — and veered voters both socially and economically to the left.
In that spirit, the 2016 presidential race is largely about candidates distancing themselves from the status quo of inequality and ‘the establishment’ that let it happen — the political party elites and major donors that are behind the government. Despite their different political affiliations, both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have positioned themselves as anti-establishment — as standing up for the little guy.
And, while the presidential nominations are months away from being decided, recent success in the primaries and caucuses shows it seems to be working for them both.
How is the left-wing revival manifesting in Australia?
By contrast, Australia is seemingly starved for socially and economically left political parties or candidates.
While the Australian Labor Party has traditionally been the counterpart to the Liberal Party’s economic and social conservatism, Labor seems to be in a defensive holding pattern after its recent years in the top job. With the relatively conservative Bill Shorten currently leading the party from its right-leaning faction, Labor is undoubtedly closer to the centre than usual.
The same could be said for the Greens, which under new leader Richard Di Natale is focusing on deals with the major parties to water down legislation in a socially and economically progressive way. This is a commendable strategy — akin to the Australian Democrats’ mantra of ‘keeping the bastards honest’ — but it does little to lead the left-wing revival in Australia.
Of course, Turnbull’s recent rise to the ‘top job’ suggests a small shift to the left. Though there is plenty of contention about how to best classify Turnbull, perhaps as ‘centre-right’ or “a left-wing person in a right-wing party”, he is undeniably more socially progressive than his predecessor.
But this is not the revival of the left some may be hoping for and, I argue, that revival may not be coming to Australia — at least, not the way it is elsewhere.
For one, Australia was spared the worst of the global financial crisis. While inequality is still an important issue here, Australia does not have the same social conditions (at scale) that facilitated the rise of socialist candidates like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn.
At the same time, the power of Malcolm Turnbull to attract votes from traditionally left-wing parties for his past personal stance on social issues like marriage equality and climate change may also serve to diminish a left-wing revival.
With Abbott, there was backlash against a conservative politician who associated women with ironing — if anything, this drove the left movement forward. Without Abbott, there is not the same urgency or outrage to shift further to the left. Turnbull is, thus, a placating force — a middle ground for voters. In 2011, he warned his party against becoming too conservative for this very reason.
“You don’t win elections by persuading your most devoted supporters to cast a vote for you with even more enthusiasm than they did at the last election,” he told the National Press Club.
Interestingly, this appeal to the centre is the exact opposite of what Rachel Maddow said might help Sanders win the Democratic nomination. Arguably, in a country with compulsory voting like Australia, the aim is to appeal to as many people as possible, because everyone is going to have to go to the polls.
There is no right or wrong answer, of course — only speculation. Recent outrage over asylum seeker issues, like with alleged rape victim Abyan and now the welfare of baby Asha, could serve as the catalyst for a left revival. The success, or perhaps failure, of Turnbull as a socially progressive Liberal could trigger Labor to reform. But, on the face of it, an Australian left-wing resurgence seems unlikely for now.
What we can expect in Australia this year?
So while elsewhere in the world we are seeing a revival of the left with candidates who are further left-wing than in recent years, this revival has not yet come to Australia — and it might not.
We have certainly seen some shifts towards the left, particularly in the social dimension associated with personal freedoms, with increasing calls for marriage equality and refugee advocacy. The replacement of Tony Abbott with a more progressive model only serves to highlight this burgeoning shift.
With compulsory voting it is hard to say whether Malcolm Turnbull is the beginning or end of the revival. In the months ahead, as we approach another federal election, we will likely find out just how progressive our new Prime Minister is.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ERIN MACLEAN
Erin is a freelance journalist and PhD student at Griffith University.
Erin specialises in news media depictions of popular culture, but is particularly interested in the way media framing affects public perception and politics.
In her spare time, she runs her own video gaming blog for women at LadyGameBug.
