THE PRESS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1986. Australia’s ‘New Right’

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 20

THE PRESS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1986. Australia’s ‘New Right’

The emergence in Australia of what has become known as the New Right is altering the Australian political landscape. Both the Labour Government and the Liberal-National Party coalition are moving to counter the challenge. As yet there is no political party putting forward the policies of the New Right movement, but the leader of the Liberals, Mr John Howard, is reported to have been warned that unless he moves the party further to the Right such a political party will be formed.

The New Right comprises several groups, some of which have been around for a long time. Some are more extreme than others. A recent speech by Mr Charles Copeman, executive director of Peko-Wallsend and an outspoken critic of the size of government in Australia, contained ideas for both political and industrial changes. The political changes proposed include the abolition of elections to the Federal Government, and the shifting of most of the functions of the Federal Government to the states. Canberra would be left with foreign policy and defence; almost every other government activity would become the responsibility of the states. Politicians would be elected to state legislatures and, after completing two terms, would be eligible to become federal politicians. The states would have the power of taxation, and would make a grant to the Federal Government.

Industrially, the New Right would like to see an end to the arbitration system. It seems to stand for the ultimate in free markets, including a deregulation of the labour market and the removal of many workers in small businesses from the awards system. There would be little sympathy for Aboriginal land rights among the New Rightists, and such measures as positive action to assist women would receive short .shrift. At the extremes there are anti-Semite and racist views, including those against Asian immigration.

Two events have tipped the balance so that these ideas are treated seriously now, whereas they would not have been 12 months ago. The most significant event has been the change in the economic climate in Australia. The economic mood has turned black, and the Government is being blamed for the condition of the economy. This allows other ideas on how the economy should be run to gain credence.

The second important event has been the industrial troubles of the Robe River iron ore project. Peko-Wallsend has attempted to bring about major changes in restrictive work practices at Robe River in Western Australia.

When these proved unacceptable to the unions concerned, Peko dismissed 1100 workers. It had already dismissed the top management at Robe River. However, the work practices and the dismissals have been fought out in both industrial courts and the Appeals Court, and Peko’s position has not been upheld. The fight is not over. It was the Robe River experience, more than any other, which meant that the ideas of the New Right became accepted in some sections of the business community. The more extreme positions of the New Right have not received the full support of many of the captains of industry, but the Robe River problems appear to have evoked the sympathy of many Australian businessmen. The New Right appears to have strong backing among industrialists. It may have some political backing in the community as a whole, because a recent opinion poll suggested that Australians tend to favour the values of hard work and individual effort.

The New Right presents a direct challenge to the Government: the Government hopes to overcome Australia’s economic problems by co-operation among the various sectors of society, but the New Right stands for confrontation. Mr Hawke, the Australian Prime Minister, had barely begun his efforts to sell the ideas in the latest Budget to the Australian public when the New Right began attracting attention. The Government overreacted, and Mr Hawke described the adherents of the New Right as “political troglodytes and economic lunatics.” This appears to have stimulated more support for the grouping than it might otherwise have had. What Mr Hawke misjudged was the support for the industrial ideas in the New Right’s proposals.

Having made an unsuccessful lunge at the New Right, the Government rapidly tried to capitalise on the emergence of the grouping. It found that the New Right was having a unifying effect on a Labour Party torn by several issues, the most damaging being the export of uranium. Further, the Government is trying to use the appearance of the New Right as a factor in bargaining with the unions for industrial reforms.

Now, the New Right is an ideological force rather than a political one. It would be an awkward day for Australia if the ideas of the New Right gained popular currency. It is one thing for academics and industrialists to throw about ideas of political and industrial reform. The darker side of Right-wing policies, including racism, would not be easily contained if the New Right became a popular political force.