The election of the Tony Abbott government in September last year signalled an intensification of attacks on workers' rights, the public sector, jobs and what remains of the social wage.
As the global economic situation deteriorates, the ruling class is intent on imposing widespread privatisation, outsourcing of public services, job cuts and wage cuts.
, raise the age of retirement and introduce a $6 charge for visiting a GP.
Treasurer Joe . In a speech at a function in Sydney on April 23 he said: 鈥淎ustralia is not doing as well on the task of repairing its budget as many other developed countries.
鈥淎ustralia鈥檚 most recent Budget update forecasts a deficit of $47 billion this year 鈥 To put it in the simplest terms, we are spending money we don鈥檛 have.
"The inescapable truth is that we need budget reform. There will be difficult decisions, but all Australians must help to do the heavy lifting.鈥
In the same week, the government promised to spend $12.4 billion on 58 new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, built by the US.
This makes it clear, Hockey鈥檚 excuse that the cuts are needed to fill a 鈥渂udget emergency鈥 is a lie. The heavy lifting will be shouldered by ordinary people, while the rich will enjoy the benefits, as the government carries out its promise to get rid of the mining and carbon taxes.
Geelong Trades Hall Council secretary and member of the Socialist Alliance Tim Gooden said: 鈥淭he ruling class is running out of money. This is what they do when they have no answer for the future, they tax the poor and go to war.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not in our interests. Our priorities are not strike fighter jets, nor is it the priority of workers in other countries. If the government is going to push forward on this, the people should demand a new system.
鈥淥ur priority is to be able to retire before we鈥檙e dead. It would also be nice to go to hospital when we鈥檙e sick and for our kids to get an education, so they can take over from the jobs we used to do. There are any number of things that are far more important for us, than for big business.
鈥淥ne thing that has changed is big business has stopped paying their fair share. In the past 30 years, big business has gone from paying 49 cents in the dollar in tax to less than 30 cents 鈥 and that is if they鈥檙e paying tax at all.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why services are being cut. Without big business paying their share, it鈥檚 hard for the government to keep things going.鈥