What does the future hold for all of us who live in Australia after the tabling of the first Abbott government budget on May 13? The fundamental issue, the political, the social, the philosophical dilemma that this budget “helps” bring out in the public sphere was summarised in a succinct way by Guy Rundle writing for the online medium Crickey.
“The budget marks the first decisive break with nearly a half-century of economic social-democratic liberalism - a long period in which all federal governments cut with the grain of social progressivism, changing little that had been established before them,” he rightly pointed out.

However, Rundle’s most incisive point, in an analysis that gets the basic argument right, is the following: “Either this budget has fundamentally misjudged the residual social-democratic will of the Australian people, something that dates back to the early achievement of the eight-hour day in 1856 - in which case a popular campaign will grease it, leaving barely a smudge…or, they have judged it right, and there has been a decisive political cultural shift in Australia, towards a more individualistic/class-fragmented way of life, in which the poor are seen - US style - as “the other”.

Following the reaction to the government’s first budget during the last ten days, from so many different sectors of society and the political spectrum, seeing the polls, reading the ANZ Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence survey which indicates that post budget we are witnessing the biggest plunge since the Global Financial crisis, one might think that the Abbott government, only 8 and a half months after its decisive electoral win, is a “dead man” walking.
At the moment, the government seems to be bleeding politically. The Prime Minister and all of his heavy weights, somewhat isolated even from their own political and ideological base, seem to be drifting in an ocean of problems with a social and political tendency that might be able to push them away from power at the first given opportunity. This might happen in the end. However, as much as the electoral fortunes of the Abbott government are of the utmost importance for the lives of ordinary Australians, what is also of equal importance is whether or not this post budget social and political reality can be “seized” by the progressives.

Now that the government seems to be losing its touch and its connection with the people, now that Abbott and his allies are cornered, can the other side of politics present a long term persuasive, alternative, economic, social and political agenda, aiming at achieving a lasting paradigm shift, a lasting pro-social democratic ideological and political supremacy in this country? A dominance that will attempt to create a new social consensus around a more equitable narrative for Australians? A convincing and every day problem solving narrative centred on issues of social justice for the many?
If an attempt to mount a progressive political and ideological counter attack is to ever take place in Australia in the foreseeable future, now is the time. If this difficult attempt succeeds, even partially, then issues of social justice, issues that decisively shape the lives of ordinary Australians, will be at the centre and not at the periphery of Australian politics. Such a possible turn out of events can also ensure the longevity and the dominance of centre and centre left values and political parties in this country.

The moment to attempt to achieve an ideological and strategic win in Australian politics, and not just an electoral one, is this post-budget period.
The realignment in wider society of the dominant political values and political forces, need to preoccupy the minds, the hearts and the organisational priorities of all Australians who believe in the notion of a fair go. Of course, the same has to be said for the only governing alternative that this country has, the Australian Labor Party.