En Passant

It is now 17 days into the election campaign and the offerings today (Sunday) highlight the differences between the Coalition and the Labor Party. The Prime Minister offered more fear of refugees; the ALP offered cheaper childcare, better wages for childcare workers and free dental treatment (up to $1000 over two years) for seniors and […]

The problem of domestic violence is systemic. It needs systemic solutions, not propaganda about the role of women in rugby league, nor stereotypes like cheer squads which reinforce the subordinate role of women in society and hence reinforce the very system which produces domestic violence.

A government committed to women re-entering the workforce could set up a program for state owned and operated (with parent participation) childcare centres at affordable rates in working class areas across Australia.

The wages of early childcare workers remain low, (Page 26), so a progressive government would also increase the pay of these workers markedly.

Working class parents, their kids and childcare workers all have the same interests: high quality, free and accessible child care, provided by workers who are treated with respect and paid a decent wage.

Tony Abbott is going to tax big business to pay for a six month fully waged parental leave scheme. Leftist Tanya Plibersek criticises him about a big new tax. Reactionary bullshit, Tanya. And yes, big business might be annoyed, Tanya. So what? How about a decent well paid scheme for a year and how about really improving […]