Despite the broad-brush painting of increasing prosperity, the Australian working class has been ripped off, while a greater share of the tremendous wealth generated in the domestic economy has been distributed to those at the top.
Australia occupies a peculiar place in the world system. On the one hand, it has always been a component of a larger empire. On the other hand, it is an imperialist state in its own right.
Today, in all the major Western powers—the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Italy—far-right parties are either in government or have become the main opposition. With the stunning rise of One Nation, Australia has now joined their ranks. How should socialists respond?