A Guiding Heuristic

A parliament that reflects our shared values

We appear to be living in an antebellum period – a moment of profound consequence before a storm.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Giselle Haber
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Giselle Haber

In the horns of a dilemma, do what in time you will regret less.” This guiding principle has shaped my approach to life and leadership across two distinct careers.

It speaks to making decisions when faced with two difficult options. As a soldier, this meant upholding standards and leading by example, often attracting criticism but knowing these actions could mean the difference between life and death. Now, as the CEO and founder of The 2023 Foundation – a harm minimisation charity dedicated to combating antisemitism and fostering peaceful coexistence – it requires confronting structural failures in leadership. This, too, invites scrutiny and scorn, but at a time when antisemitic violence has reached unprecedented levels in Australia, silence is not an option.

Synagogues have been vandalised and burned, cars firebombed, and antisemitic graffiti like “F**k the Jews” and “Kill Israel” stains the walls of Australian cities. We appear to be living in an antebellum period – a moment of profound consequence before a storm. History offers no precedent where challenges of this magnitude have been resolved through inaction.

At the next election, Australians face a choice: a returned Albanese government (either as a majority or in alliance with the teal independents and Greens) or a Dutton-led Coalition government. This article frames that decision, analyses the trajectory of the Albanese government, and advocates for the preservation of Australia’s two-party system.

A personal perspective

I grew up in a Labor household. The Australia of my youth was shaped by leaders like Bob Hawke, who brought people together and achieved significant reforms through bipartisanship. I see none of that legacy in the current Albanese government. Instead, the party has lurched to the left, no longer occupying the sensible centre of Australian politics.

I know Allegra Spender of Wentworth personally. I respect her as a person, a community leader, and a local member. She is someone who genuinely listens and engages thoughtfully. However, respect for an individual cannot overshadow the harsh realities we face as a nation. In this context, personal relationships and local representation are irrelevant compared to the broader structural challenges confronting our democracy.

The ALP’s 1955 moment

Labor faces an existential crisis reminiscent of its 1955 split, when a shift to the left triggered the formation of the Democratic Labour Party. Then, it was communism that fractured the ALP. Today, it is the far left, whose influence risks alienating the party’s traditional base.

This shift is most evident in foreign policy. The government’s approach to Israel – evidenced by UN votes and statements – stands in stark contrast to Labor’s historic commitment to Israel. The marginalisation of moderate voices has led to policy positions that undermine Australian values.

Albanese must recognise this inflection point as his “Howard moment”. John Howard’s decisive action following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when he introduced sweeping gun reforms despite strong resistance from elements of his political base, was one of the first bold moves in a career defined by prioritising the national interest over partisan concerns, earning Howard respect across the political spectrum and cementing his legacy as a statesman.

Albanese now faces a defining opportunity to demonstrate leadership that transcends party ideology and addresses the critical challenges of rising antisemitism and societal division. Bold, decisive action could shape his legacy and restore national confidence in his government.

Rise of the teals and Greens

The emergence of the teals and the growing influence of the Greens are symptoms of a fractured political system. Teal independents, while campaigning on local issues in traditionally Liberal electorates, frequently vote in alignment with Labor and the Greens. These voting patterns weaken the two-party system and contribute to a fragmented parliament, where coalitions of disparate interests hinder effective governance.

The 2024 letter co-signed by several teal MPs advocating for the restoration of funding to UNRWA highlights this issue. While it acknowledged allegations linking UNRWA employees to terrorism, it failed to address the organisation’s structural flaws.

As Dr Einat Wilf detailed in The War of Return, UNRWA perpetuates the Palestinian refugee narrative, obstructing peace efforts by refusing to address the root causes of the conflict. Advocacy for its funding without demanding reform reflects a troubling lack of understanding of the complexities on the ground.

The consequences of fractured politics

Australia’s two-party system has historically provided stability, enabling governments to enact reforms and govern effectively. However, the teals and Greens threaten this stability, creating a parliament more akin to the Israeli Knesset, in which coalitions of disparate interests struggle to achieve meaningful outcomes.

We must recognise the stakes: the firebombing of synagogues, rising antisemitism, and the erosion of trust in government institutions. These challenges demand decisive leadership, not the fragmented alliances typified by minor parties.

A call to action

Democracy, as Winston Churchill observed, is the worst form of government – except for all the others. The two-party system is not perfect, but it remains the best mechanism for delivering stability and accountability.

To Jewish Australians: your vote matters. Stand tall and advocate for policies that ensure safety and cohesion for all.

To non-Jewish Australians: recognise the stakes and stand against hate. Help create a parliament that reflects our shared values, free from fragmentation and extremism.

Elections today are more consequential than at any other time in my lifetime. As Joseph de Maistre observed, “Every [democratic] nation gets the government it deserves.” Let us start a conversation now to ensure that the government we elect in 2025 reflects the principles of justice, unity and resilience that Australia so desperately needs.

Colonel Michael Scott, CSC, has served for over 30 years as a professional soldier with the Australian Defence Force. He is the Founder and CEO of The 2023 Foundation.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of the Australian Defence Force or the Commonwealth Government of Australia.

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