The threat to jobs and industry in the South East of South Australia caused by dumped Asian tissue products highlights the inadequacy of our bicameral federal system.
The Senate was established as a “state’s house” with equal numbers of Senators from each of the six colonies that formed the Commonwealth of Australia.
Our founding fathers wanted to protect the less-populated states from domination by Victoria and New South Wales.
At the time of Federation, governments were formed by alliances between groups of independents. The Labor Party was in its infancy and there were no other political parties.
The alliances were formed around strong personalities or issues like trade and immigration.
The two-party system became entrenched early in the 20th century, although the Country Party retained a degree of independence as a third party until the Second World War and later in Victoria.
Although the DLP, Democrats, Greens and independents have at different times held the balance of power in the Senate, it has largely has failed as a state’s house.
That failure is clearly evident in relation to the tissue-dumping fiasco.
The only South Australian Senator who has spoken publicly on the issue is independent Nick Xenophon (pictured).
Senior government minister and South Australian Senator Penny Wong told Parliament she understands the concerns which have been raised by workers and industry.
However: “The reality is that Customs concluded that the injury suffered by the applicants was caused more by competition in the industry, not dumping,” Senator Wong said.
Sympathy, but no action.
As for the other Labor Senators, they are missing in action:
- Don Farrell
- Annette Hurley
- Anne McEwen
- Dana Wortley (duty Senator for Barker)
Wong’s remarks were disappointing, but as a Cabinet minister she has a role in government that potentially limits her parochial advocacy, ie she needs to look at the big picture and govern for the whole country.
As for the other Labor Senators, if they were true to the Constitution they would be advocating strongly to protect South Australian jobs.
If they are, the silence is deafening.
