同路人語 584 爭取更大的影響力

同路人語 584

爭取更大的影響力

周偉文

財長上週的預算案反應不錯，為民調一直落後的政府，增加了一些支持。總理莫里森強調自由黨會聚焦經濟增長來面對世界不景氣，減稅、盈餘及大幅增加基建投資成為了主要賣點。總理要遊說選民，為了將來生活好過一點，大家就要在五月大選中，繼續讓政府執政。反對黨領袖索頓除了答應給同樣的減稅外，更開出了健康福利，為癌症病人提供更多資源，及會提高工資，並且實現氣候減排的崇高目標，不過如何能做到這些而不令澳洲人付出更高代價，則他未有說明，因此是否能取信選民，仍為未知之數。

財政預算變成了競選承諾，聯邦政府的支持提升了一些，但相信要贏得選舉，我相信莫里森總理還要拿出更多的說服力。六年過去，選民認為自由黨政客只是互相攻訐，忘記了管治的責任，相信不是交出一個預算案就可以讓人改觀。工黨其實亦沒有好好監督政府，扮演著反對黨的責任。選民中，不少人表達出對自由黨國家黨聯盟及工黨都不願支持，是否因此而有更多獨立議員的出現，引至產生少數派政府，仍未可知。我曾經指出現時兩大政黨都沒有真的看重華人參政，及撥出更多資源，支持多元文化社區，華人不能單靠兩大政黨內的華人為我們發聲。

現時差不多可以肯定的，是參議院極有可能會有更多少黨派或獨立的議員出現。下議院多數議員的黨組成政府，政府所提出法案要獲通過並不困難，但議案也要獲得76位代表各州及領地的參議員通過，才能實施。現時政府在參議院中無法得到大多數，因此要通過議案，就要取得小黨派或獨立議員的支持，執政政府就要跟他們討價還價作出修訂。華人普遍支持保守及傳統的價值觀，只要我們能把更多支持多元文化及價值觀相若的人送入參議院，華人可以通過這些代理人，在參議院為少數民族發聲，並且爭取更多的影響力。

在人民對大政黨失去信心，把更多認同少數民族訴求的人送入參議院，我相信是另外一種我們爭取政治影響力的方法。

Bargaining for a greater influence

Raymond Chow

The Treasurer’s budget announced last week proved to be favorable in drawing back some support for the government falling behind in recent polls. PM Morrison emphasized the Liberal’s key policies on the economic growth amid global downturn, tax cut, surplus and major infrastructure projects. He has been campaigning on the May federal election for a better future under his government. Opposition leader Shorten promised the same tax cut and more funding on health benefits especially for cancer patients, wage rise and an environmental sustainability on high ground. Yet his credibility needs to be substantiated by actual and effective means of achieving it.

This financial budget has become an election pledge in favor of the government but ultimately it depends on Morrison’s further commitment. Over the past six years, Liberal politicians were seen in conflicts more than in governances. It will take more than a budget to change the tide. On the other hand, Labor has not been doing his watchdog job properly. Many people indeed are not happy either with the Liberal National Coalition or the Labor, hence it could end up with a minority government with more independent members joining in. As we pointed out that both of the major parties are not willing to engage more Chinese politicians nor funding more on multiculturalism, Chinese electorates are not well represented and taken care of.

It is almost certain that there will be more independent and representatives from minor parties in the Senate. Although it won’t be hard to pass bills in the House of Representatives, yet it still needs 76 senators representing the seven states/territories to say yes before enactment. If the government cannot hold majority in the Senate, support from minor parties will be crucial thus they will have a bargaining power with the government. Chinese in general support conservative and traditional values. For our voices to be heard, we need to send in more of these  candidates in support of our culture and value into the Senate as our advocates in our interest.

If we cannot count on the major parties, I think a better way for our voices to be heard is to uphold candidates who feel more concern of the ethnic minority.