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Recent attacks on the federal government by the conservative premiers of Victoria, WA and Queensland are only the most recent sign of crisis for the beleaguered John Howard. Now the ALP is ahead of the Coalition in the polls for the first time since 1993.
Half-way through its term and in the middle of an alleged economic upturn with low interest and inflation rates, the federal government cannot stabilise around its massive parliamentary majority.
The splits over Wik, heroin trials, tariffs, and the disastrous handling of the Hanson phenomenon are just some of the recent schisms amongst sections of the ruling class and their parties. The workers' movement has also proved to have more than a little life left in it. Far from rolling over in the face of the government's anti-union laws, workers have stood up and fought. This has been shown by the ongoing battles on the NSW coalfields, the Citipower workers' victory in Melbourne, limited victories over car tariffs after big union rallies, and the long-running workers' embassy in Perth.
These crises reflect more than just the subjective weaknesses of the Howard Cabinet - although this is not a totally irrelevant factor given the bumbling of a Prime Minister who increasingly resembles Mr Magoo. It is a sign that the country is in turmoil. The alleged economic upturn is exaggerated and in any case has not 'trickled down' to boost job creation or job security. Wages for most remain low as contracting and part-time work replace the traditional forms of work. Further, the social wage has been slashed by higher child care, health and education costs, transport fares and so on.
Hardly anyone supports the government enthusiastically and the rising support for the Labor Opposition is more an anti-Liberal sentiment than a pro-Beazley mood.
The support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation - notwithstanding fluctuations especially after the battering it received in Victoria thanks to Militant amongst others - is symptomatic that workers and farmers are looking for new answers to their social predicament. Here, as overseas, the established parties offer only more of the same economic rationalist policies and the growing political vacuum is being filled by new forces. Hanson has jumped in first. But there will be massive support for a new mass Left party that challenges capitalism and the policies of the past two decades. That's why side-by-side with building the socialist core of the working class with Militant, we also support the creation of a mass new party of the Left. If the New Labour Party can turn outwards, it will find a ready audience and enthusiastic support.