The Monthly

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

by Hannah Harborow

110
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

by Sarrah Le Marquand

210
Defeating bullying one child at a time

by Peter James

310
Why can’t I be pope?

by Xavier Toby

410
My democratic dilemma after the death of a despot

by Gabriel Pizani

510
Punch on: Open thread 14/03/2013

by The Punch Team

610
Atheist church’s faithless flock proves value of religion

by Sam Clench

710
There’s no such thing as a free bus ticket

by Jessica Irvine

810
Politicians can’t control the economy

by Albert Alla

910
How far do the National Rifle Association’s sights focus?

by Scott Limbrick

1010

Where do we stand on the rich? For or against…

05 Mar 10:00am

Filed under: Clive Palmer, Economy, Gina Rinehart, Joe Hockey, Politics, The Monthly, Twiggy Forrest, Wayne Swan

Wayne Swan has discovered his voice. After telling us in no uncertain terms what he really thought of Kevin Rudd the week before last. Now Swannie has set his sights on our mining magnates.

Wealth creators or wealth hoarders? Illustration: Jonathan Bentley

In an essay in The Monthly, and in a speech due at lunch time today to the National Press Club, the Treasurer makes the argument that democracy is under threat from vested interests - and takes aim in particular at Clive Palmer, Twiggy Forrest and Gina Rinehart.

But his argument is not just limited to those who make their millions by digging things out of the ground. Swan is worried about our middle-class society being under “mortal threat”, essentially since the “Reagan-Thatcher revolutions”.

Continue reading "Where do we stand on the rich? For or against…" »

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Matt C says:

01:52pm | 08/03/12

How can we enjoy the fruits of labor when it is the ultimate aim of big business and the liberals to reduce wages across the board whilst increasing productivity. All you liberal lovers need to wipe the fog off your glasses and smell the rain. You’re all Tony Abbott clones,… Read more »
Bob Smith says:

02:53pm | 07/03/12

Louise, while you have no difficulty locating the ‘divisiveness’ and ‘incivility’ in Wayne Swan mentioning that there is a problem, you seem strangely blind to the inherent ‘divisiveness’ and ‘incivility’ in a tiny group of unrepresentative ultra-rich people buying up swathes of our media in order to push their own… Read more »

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