Social Ethics in Australia Today

Social ethics at any time seem to engender debate among many people simply because there is such a polarization of views. These views appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum between Democrats or Republicans. I use the American political terminology here because, whether we like it or not, Australia has become hostage to these points of view. 

In Australia, the Democrats are what we call Australian Labour Party (ALP) voters and this party’s platform agenda is/was championing the rights of the workers of Australia. 

The Republican viewpoint is represented by the Coalition party we know as the Country-Liberal party (CLP).This party purports to represent the interests of big businesses like Mining Companies and other corporate entities. Many small business are also coalition voters too although they do not have fair representation in the party room when it comes to formulating CLP policies. These have been ‘bought’ by the big spenders who have a very set agenda for decreasing wages and living standards and for receiving more corporate welfare than is legitimately or morally acceptable to many Australians. 

Both of these political party’s present ethical issues for many thinking Australians.

The alternate political party in Australia is the Greens. The Green party political platform is closely related and reliant on environmental and now, social issues. The Green party today is seen by many dissatisfied voters as a viable alternative to both the mainstream political parties. 

The Social Ethics that need solving today

There are too many social ethical issues like housing affordability, health care, dental care, welfare payments, corporate tax breaks, tax laws, legal affordability, climate and environmental issues and Coal Seam Gas Mining leases. All these and many others require better consideration and solutions today than either of the mainstream political platforms are discussing. 

It appears to many politically aware people that debate is now a non-event. There are far too many ego decisions being made in party rooms behind closed doors and driven by vested interest groups than is good for Australia and the Australian people. These decisions tended to be based on vested interests and media headlines. 

The unethical role of the Australian media today

These political headline grabbing decisions are more about Polls and media coverage than about good Government or opposition policy. The media in Australia is supposed to act as a watchdog and hold Governing bodies accountable but this simply isn’t happening today. All forms of media are guilty of abandoning their responsibilities in this regard in favour of ratings and shareholder earnings. 

There is very little investigative journalism happening today due to two reasons:

1. The costs associated with comprehensive journalistic investigations and (2) media ownership. The media ownership is now owned by too few different owners so the public only get to read or hear about what the views are of those owners.  Rupert Murdoch and News Corp own the most media outlets in Australia today.  There are very few diverse points of editorial viewpoints presented to the reading or listening public. 

Social ethics anywhere are not going to be a high priority in any organization where vested interests control Government policy and become the mainstay of the political party’s financial coffers.