Relentless cost-of-living pressure, rising interest rates, uncertainty about the direction of the economy and growing concern about inequality has undermined Australia’s sense of social cohesion, according to authoritative new research.
After a polarising voice referendum campaign and amid rising community tensions over the war in the Middle East, the latest Mapping Social Cohesion Report puts the Scanlon-Monash Index of Social Cohesion at its lowest ebb since the survey began 16 years ago.
The social cohesion index provides a barometer of social wellbeing, measuring belonging, worth, participation, acceptance and rejection, social inclusion and justice. The measure declined by four points over the past 12 months, hitting the lowest result on record. Since November 2020 – the peak of social cohesion recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic – the index has plummeted 13 points.
When Labor were in opposition they weren’t creating culture war issues like Dutton and his buddies are now. They were calling out Liberal corruption, name one Labor Prime Minister who appointed themselves to multiple ministries in secret.
When the referendum came around the Liberals were creating more division by spreading misinformation and fear mongering. They don’t take Climate Change seriously, some of them probably in Andrew Bolt’s camp. They promote Nuclear energy and SMRs for no reason other than to stall the renewables transition. They wasted taxpayer money on land for the Sydney airport at a high price because it was owned by a donor.
When Australia suffered from the worst bushfires they made cuts to emergency services and their leader at the time refused to give a shit about it “I don’t hold a hose mate”. All in spite of the event being predicted. They damaged our relationship with China by supporting the conspiracy theory that the Corona virus was grown in a lab. There was no evidence to support that.
And you’re right we do need to examine both parties critically but I believe that the Liberal party and their buddies at Newscorp, Nine Fairfax and Seven West media contribute much more to division than Labor does. Anthony Albanese is doing a much better job than Scott Morrison or Peter Dutton could’ve done. Despite the Qatar airways decision and his son’s chairman’s lounge membership 🤔. I think Anthony Albanese does a much better job of trying to unite the country than Dutton does and Scott Morrison ever did. Still the aforementioned media companies try to discredit him by calling him “Airbus Albo” - but he’s not out of the country on a holiday, he’s out there improving international relations, and he leaves competent people in charge when he goes.
I appreciate the fact you weren’t rude to me in your response, and just this alone is breathtakingly refreshing.