Thread by @NewtonMark

For years now, I have been saying that the ALP's problem is that it has no idea why it exists; And with no underlying values to inform its direction, it defaults to, "Everyone keeps voting Liberal, if we're more like them they'll vote for us too!"

"Hey look! New front bench!" /1

Across those years, leader after leader, election loss after election loss, I've pointed to places where the ALP's deliberate premeditated failures have served Liberal policy: Welfare cuts, creation of concentration camps, tax cuts, making strikes illegal, the list goes on. /2

Whenever I point these things out, I get partisan dipshits in my mentions saying things like, "They have to adopt positions like that to win!" (they've only won two elections since Keating, and wasted them) or "Join up and change them from the inside!" (LOL no) /3

... or "the Greens are worse!" (is that *genuinely* how the ALP measures itself? Oh! How the mighty have fallen!)

What I haven't seen, ever, even once, is an ALP member or true believer answer my call by telling me why the Party exists, or what its underlying values are. /4

What purpose does the Party serve in the 21st century? What will change if they win an election? How will Australia be different in 10, 30, 50 years if they deliver their agenda? What *is* their agenda? /5

These should all be the absolute simplest questions in the universe for a political party to answer. Put it right there on their website, there shouldn't be any doubt.

But nobody who engages with me can answer them. /6

I know exactly what the answers to those questions are for the Libs.
I know exactly what the answers to those questions are for the Greens.
I know exactly what the answers to those questions are for One Nation, Katter, Palmer, Centre Alliance. /7

Labor? It's always, "We'll announce our policies at the appropriate time during the election campaign. And in the meantime, just to give you a taste, we'll keep voting for Lib policies, just so you know what we stand for." /8

Not good enough. You burned so much trust last time you were in power, nobody can take you at your word during an election campaign; All we can judge you by is your actions. And your actions cause climate change, kill refugees, condemn workers to grinding poverty. /9

What purpose does Labor serve in the 21st century?
How will Australians' material conditions change if Labor wins an election?
How will Australia be different in 10, 30, 50 years if Labor delivers on their agenda?
What *is* Labor's agenda?

Tick tock. /end @MurrayWatt @AlboMP