Kevin Rudd and Australian Politics Today

Most nations around the globe are hoping to avoid entanglement in an economic recession or even a full-scale depression, complete with significant unemployment, commodity shortages, high inflation, and homelessness. Western governments are quickly approving bailout or stimulus plans, while third world countries are looking to international bodies for help and ideas. One nation currently handling the crisis fairly well is Australia, a southern-hemisphere democracy with strong ties to the United States and Great Britain as well as boasting solid economic relationships with China and other Asian nations.

Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister for more than a year now, remains optimistic that plans like new infrastructure construction projects requiring many thousands of jobs and boosting welfare payouts will shield the country from the worst of the global financial fallout. Cutting interest rates is an additional option. Rudd, the Labor Party leader, took over from the Liberal Party government of John Howard following the national election in November 2007. Among Rudd's accomplishments so far are ratification of the Kyoto climate-control protocol, formal apologies to Australian aborigines for past abuses, and withdrawal of some armed forces from Iraq. These accomplishments represent the fulfillment of campaign promises and are likely responsible for the Prime Minister's continuing high approval ratings. Maintaining his popularity is apt to become trickier as Rudd makes crucial decisions, including allowing some deficit spending, to keep recession at bay.

Rudd, a former diplomat with fluency in Mandarin, is expected to continue warm ties with China, a major trading partner. Diplmatic ties with Japan are somewhat more complicated due to Japan's insistence on whaling activities in Antarctica, activities condemned by many Australians. Relations with the U.S. are good but may cool somewhat due to the troop withdrawals from the Iraq conflict. However, Australian forces remain effective in Afghanistan and defense pacts with the U.S. and international bodies are not in jeopardy.

One pressing national issue is drought, which has become severe enough across this continent-wide nation to affect livestock and food-crop farming. Rice production and sheep numbers have declined significantly in recent seasons. So, it is not surprising that attention to anti-global warming and climate-change initiatives is important to the government. A promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a small by meaningful percentage was promulgated recently. Some critics claim the amount is too low, while businessmen argue for delays in implementation.

Another prominent political issue is immigration. A new policy easing restrictions on asylum seekers has been applauded by human rights groups. Formerly, refugees were housed in offshore detention centers. Now they may be allowed more freedom while their cases are being investigated.

Among the issues not yet tackled by the reform-minded Prime Minister is the overhaul of the constitution and of the entire governmental structure. The question of whether to continue accepting the Queen of England as the head of state or of transforming the nation into a republic, independent of traditional ties to Great Britain, is key. Ten years ago a referendum on the topic failed, but public sentiment appears to be different nowadays.

Perhaps the most controversial issue of all will be a proposal to block Internet access to thousands of sites considered illegal or otherwise unsafe. So far only testing of various filtering technologies is taking place, but civil rights and free-speech activists are worried nonetheless. Such filters will probably impact browsing speeds and may prove ineffective at curtailing the most offensive content.

In summary, Australia is well positioned to handle the global recession thanks to strong leadership provided by a newcomer on the world stage, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. His agenda is full of complex and interesting problems and opportunities, whether of national or international resonance. Perhaps the events of 2009 will justify his own optimism for the future and prove the wisdom of his many supporters.

"Happy birthday: Australia's government", The Economist

Elizabeth Keenan, "Balancing Act", Time International

Harumi Ozawa, "Japan and Australia hold security talks," The Australian/Agence France-Presse

Damian Carrington, "Australia pledges to cut emissions by up to 15%", The Guardian

Meraiah Foley, "Proposed Web Filter Criticized in Australia", New York Times

"Australia abandons asylum policy", BBC Online

Rod McGuirk, "Australia infrastructure plan to add 32,000 jobs", Houston Chronicle