Rude shock from Rudd

 

 

The victory of Kevin Rudd in the Australian elections finally brought the anti incumbency factor into play with the defeat of John Howard and putting curtains to his 11 year stint. While the Labour Party of Kevin Rudd won 83 seats, the Liberal National coalition finally ended up with just 56 seats. In keeping with recent trends that emerged in many countries, global affairs played a key role in Australian elections too, be it the signing of the Kyoto Protocol or the pulling out of Australian troops from the battlefields of Iraq. While the Labour Party claims that the victory of Kevin Rudd would in no way alter Australia's equation with the US, it is widely expected that Kevin Rudd would endeavour to change the perception of Australia being a mere ayesayer to US policies. For the past quite a few years, especially since 9/11 and the subsequent US war on terror, the John Howard-led Australia did almost everything, what in essence was kowtowing to US policy. Even before 9/11 John Howard preferred to fall in line with the US to impose sanctions on India following nuclear tests conducted by New Delhi in 1998. Surprisingly, the Howard government then went for ties with India for supply of nuclear fuel the moment US started negotiations with India on a civilian nuclear deal last year.

Kevin Rudd’s entire endeavour is perhaps to chart a whole new generational course for Australia, be it renewed effort in developing ties with emerging powerhouses like China or Australia’s contribution to global aid. On labour issues Rudd’s policies are aimed towards increasing the rights and sense of job security of workers. In terms of economic issues Rudd is expected to continue with the conservative approach and surplus budget while social spending would be given the maximum impetus. Rudd's Labour Party press release on 22 October stated, "A Rudd Labour government will slash parents’ child care costs by lifting the Child Care Tax Rebate from 30 percent to 50 percent. Labour’s Affordable Child Care Plan is a $1.5 billion investment in the future of Australian families and in Australia’s future economic prosperity."

In the past one decade Australia has been driven to the sidelines by the emerging powerhouses like China and India. In critical geopolitical issues US prefers to consider China and India’s viewpoint than of an ayesayer like Australia. India bluntly refused the US requests to send troops to Iraq but Australia obliged. It is from this point of view that Rudd’s attempt to bring about a paradigm shift in Australia’ perspective is worth appreciating.