[Editorial note: Australia and New Zealand sometimes referred to as "the Antipodes," meaning places on the opposite side of the Earth. An antipode (pronounced "an TIP o dee") also means a contrary opinion.]

Australia recently witnessed an election that promised, for good or for bad, a sea change in Australian politics. And change seemed likely, what with Australians' cynicism toward government and their increased uncertainty and fear over goosestomping globalisation. Yes, the time was right for a new direction not only in the economy, but also in social and cultural programs.

What did we get?

Just more of the same, with the re-election of the vision-less John Howard and his conservative Liberal Party.

Shrinking major party credibility had led to the emergence of an extreme right-wing populist party, One Nation. A state election a couple of months before the federal election saw One Nation gain the highest number of seats for a party in its first election. While this seemed to bode badly for the federal election, even One Nation suffered from voters choosing more-of-the- same, winning only one seat in the two houses of federal parliament. While lefties may cheer the failure of One Nation, they may also despair at Australians' resistance to change. More importantly, where was a left wing coalition or party to answer the rise of the right?

In fact, One Nation's stances on some issues came packaged in an alluring "leftist" veneer. For example, One Nation opposed the privatisation of the national telecommunications company (Telstra) which makes a billion dollars or more in yearly profits. After privatisation this profit will go to elite shareholders instead of the Australian public.

Worse than losing a chance to seize upon these feelings, the Labour Party was actually the one to put Australia on the path of de-regulation and globalisation when they were in power in the mid-1980's.

Seems that despite the Asian meltdown--and the obvious doubts about the free market system--globalisation in this part of the world will continue apace. Without a well-organised left, it looks as though Australians will continue down this path mutely. And since Australia is a small economic power, the benefits of "free markets" -- so useful to nations such as the United States -- will not help us.

Anybody remember the trickle-down effect?

It seems here not well enough.

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