Strong mid-term scorecard
Strong progress at this half way point of the federal term. By Tim James.
This week marked exactly 18 months into the three-year term of the Morrison Government. Amidst an extraordinary backdrop of challenges, it has been a period of strong achievement and it’s timely to reflect on progress to this point.
There’s no half-time break in government - the need for good policy is constant and insatiable. Thankfully there are few if any signs of tiredness or complacency in this government. It remains energetic, driven and hungry both in policy and action.
Moreover, the Government is signalling more positive reform between now and Christmas. The Prime Minister this week confirmed ambitions to improve industrial relations laws as well as update emissions policy in the next few weeks.
Stability of leadership is a strong hallmark of this government under Scott Morrison. He will be the first Prime Minister to serve a full term, a first in more than a decade. Labor, on the other hand, is seeing and suffering from the effects of unstable and uncertain leadership. Just ask Joel Fitzgibbon if Labor have learned much from the last election.
It seems a world away that Scott Morrison appealed to voters in announcing the election last year: "Now is not the time to turn back," he said. "Keeping our economy strong is how we secure your future and your family's future.”
Who’d have predicted the natural disasters and pandemic that have since plagued our economy and shifted pillars and parameters of policy along the way?
At the same time, imagine the conditions if Labor had come into office last year, introduced its big new tax and spend program and then been in charge during COVID-19?
The “now is not the time to turn back” appeal is even more present and poignant today and will remain so on the road to recovery post-pandemic.
So what has been promised and delivered at this half-way point? Some key elements stand out.
Tax reform is a major achievement of this government both for individuals and businesses. The Government is on track to lower taxes for 94% of individual taxpayers to no more than 30% whilst also supporting small business through tax rates and relief.
On climate, and let’s not forget the so called #climateelection catch cry last year, the Government is getting on with meeting our global commitments, delivering a technology (not tax) based roadmap and investing in new infrastructure like Snowy Hydro 2.0. Meanwhile the opposition is eating itself because its traditional blue collar worker base has been left behind by left-leaning elites and insiders.
An Australian first, a Minister for Waste Reduction in government, Trevor Evans, is making a big difference in waste management, recycling and sustainability where Australia can play an innovative and leading regional role.
Health policy and spending has obviously faced enormous hurdles of late yet the core commitments of the Government are being delivered: to lift the Medicare rebate freeze; fund all PBS medicines recommended; and make substantial investments in mental health including 30 new Headspace centres.
Education policy has equally been the subject of continued delivery against commitments, with record funding for schools and a $525m apprenticeship package, funding 80,000 apprenticeships, even more vital today than pre-COVID.
On foreign policy the Government has met commitments to renew focus on the Pacific, re-affirm the US-Australia relationship and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Australia has shown strong global leadership in its pandemic response and calls for an international investigation.
It’s easy to forget the infrastructure investments this government has underway, many over many years ahead, including western Sydney airport, Melbourne-Brisbane inland rail, Princes Highway upgrades and Geelong fast rail to name but a few.
Immigration policy, which has featured very prominently in Australian politics this century, is no longer the divisive, tense domain it once was. Scott Morrison has been a central figure in a stable and well-managed immigration program for Australia. The resumption of it post-pandemic will be one to watch going forward.
There are many tough policy areas beyond those above and no government is perfect, but the big picture scorecard is strong, in spite of considerable challenges. There’s more to do in areas such as communications, NDIS, welfare reform, aged care, further tax reform and industry to mention just a few fields. As noted recently in Watercooler there is now a strong roadmap for policy to deal with natural disasters following the Royal Commission.
Overall, Australia’s actions and response to COVID-19, both in health and economic terms, have been strong, timely and stabilising in uncertain times. Our position compares very favourably on the world stage and Australians can look ahead to 2021 with renewed confidence and hope.
There are immense challenges on the road to recovery and the Morrison Government is well placed to meet them. At this half-way point it has overwhelmingly been a government of quiet delivery, decisiveness when needed and determined stability in the interests of the nation and its people.