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No Just Transition without Green Industrial Strategy — South Africa between the JET IP and the next G20

By Lorenza Monaco

In the past few years, South Africa has moved significant steps to put the question of a Just Transition at the centre stage. Government plans have been accompanied by widespread debates within progressive academia, think tanks and the civil society. While we observe a generalised perception of the grand issues at stake and the urgency of the matter, initiatives taken are still not enough. Here, some thoughts on the limitations of the current approach and some suggestions for future pathways.

The drop in Australia’s inflation has been quite sharp. The latest monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures from the Bureau of Statistics show that prices over the year to October rose just 2.1%. That is such a relatively small increase that so far form being worried about the 3% ceiling of the Reserve Banks inflation target, we’re now near the 2% bottom. Five months ago the CPI was at 4% and economists were speculating that the RBA might increase rates again.

The big reasons for the decline in price growth are that inflation across the world has slowed – and Australia is very much part of the world economy – and because the government sought to reduce prices by introducing an electricity rebate.

The drop in electricity prices has been dramatic.

In October the amount of electricity that in June last year would now have cost $100 now just cost $69.83. And while that is significant enough, had there not been the Commonwealth government rebate and the other state rebates in WA, Tasmania and Queensland, the average cost of that $100 worth of electricity would be $116.

In essence, the actions of state and federal governments have knocked 40% off the average cost of electricity bills across the county.

That is no small thing.

It serves to remind everyone that governments do actually have a vital role to play in combatting inflation.

In a short primer on the South Australian political finance changes, The Australia Institute explains:

Key findings:

• The proposed laws have not been the subject of a Parliamentary Inquiry. These are normal for even minor changes to electoral laws, and these changes are among the largest ever in the state.
• The South Australian government conducted a secret, internal consultation; later reporting confirmed that the majority of submissions it received were opposed to the proposed laws.
• The government’s independent review recommended administrative funding be decreased, from $1.4 million a year for each major party to $1.2 million. Instead, it was increased to $1.6 million.
• This alone gives Labor and Liberal an additional $3.2 million every four years.
• The proposed laws increase major party administrative funding in South Australia by 66 times compared to 10 years ago.
• The proposed laws introduce “nominated entities” to grandfather in assets of major parties.
• There is no principled reason for the special allowance for parties with exactly two MPs; it exists only to paper over the fundamental problems with a per-MP funding model.

“Behind Premier Malinauskas’ proposed ban on most political donations is around $18 million in new taxpayer funding for political parties and candidates; the vast majority goes to the two major parties,” said Bill Browne, Director of the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program.

On this episode of Follow the Money, the Hon Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the Government’s Electoral Reform Bill, its potential impact on new and independent candidates, and the future of Australian democracy.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 26 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Sign the Australia Institute petition, calling on the Government to establish a parliamentary inquiry, with public hearings, to assess the proposed changes to Australia’s electoral laws.

Pre-order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Pre-order by 1 December and save $5 on the RRP.

Guest: The Hon Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi // @helenhainesindi

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Introduction

In this online workshop, How to Measure Narrative Change, narrative change and evaluation experts share a radical, values-aligned framework that narrative practitioners and movement workers can use to measure narrative change.

The workshop was held in 2024 by the Radical Communicators Network – a community of practice for social-justice communicators.

Whether working on a piece of art, a campaign, or power-building in local communities, narrative organizers are always exploring ways to measure the impact of their work.

The workshop provides:

• an overview of how to craft a narrative change evaluation strategy,
• a set of principles to guide their work and
• increased confidence in how to measure narrative change.

…and asks questions such as:

• Is your message grounded in your theory of change?
• Who is telling the story?
• Whose voice is being centred?
• How are you using storytelling to immerse your audience?
• What care is being taken for your storytellers?

The hosts of the workshop were:

Odessa, Texas enacts a draconian new law targeting transgender people.

People receiving JobSeeker are around five times more likely to experience multiple deprivation than the general population, according to a new report by the Poverty and Inequality Partnership led by ACOSS and UNSW Sydney.

Material deprivation in Australia: the essentials of life found about one in two people relying on JobSeeker and one in three sole parents are experiencing multiple material deprivation, compared to about one in twelve people nationally. 

Multiple material deprivation is when a person lacks two or more essential items because they can’t afford them. Examples include a decent and secure home, a yearly dental check-up and $500 in savings for emergencies. 

The report found eight groups of people are particularly at high risk of multiple deprivation: people relying on JobSeeker Payment; Parenting Payment, Disability Support Pension or Youth Allowance, sole parent families, First Nations people, and those renting social housing or privately.

For example, more than one in three people relying on JobSeeker are deprived of having at least $500 in savings for an emergency, one in three can’t afford home contents insurance and one in five are deprived of dental treatment when they need it. 

The report found:

Introducing SSPS6008 – Universal Basic Income

In 2025, the the School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS) at the University of Sydney will offer the first unit of study focused on Universal Basic Income (UBI) to be taught at a university in Australasia.

This interdisciplinary unit critically examines UBI’s potential to tackle 21st-century challenges like inequality, economic insecurity, technological disruption and more frequent extreme weather events. It traces the historical, ethical, and political economic foundations of UBI from its origins in the French and American revolutions to contemporary trials, political campaigns and policy exemplars. Students will engage with a variety of research methods, including historical analysis, ethical argument, social scientific experiments, and computer-based microsimulations, to evaluate UBI’s potential merits and limitations.

More than two thirds (69%) of those who grow their own food say they do it to access healthy food, while 60% do it to save money.

Growing your own helps cut down waste during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with almost two thirds of growers composting or worm farming, preventing mountains of food waste from ending up in landfill.

On Tuesday November 26, Australia’s favourite gardener, Costa Georgiades, will join independent MP Sophie Scamps, along with representatives from The Australia Institute and Grow it Local to launch Grow Your Own 2024 – Growing food to feel better, eat better and help the planet.

Please join us for a symbolic seed-planting and media conference in the Senate Courtyard at 9:45am.

The groundbreaking new research found:

Introduction

Here is a collection of inspiring quotes about narrative change and story telling collated by the Commons Librarians.

Please contact us if you have one to share.

Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and founding member of the Australian Nobel Prize-winning group, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the global consequences of Trump’s cabinet picks and what his election means for efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 November and things may have changed since recording.

Pre-order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Board Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell

Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis

Show notes:

Risky Business: An update on super funds and nuclear weapons by Rosemary Kelly and Margaret Beavis (September 2024)

Sergio Correia, Stephan Luck, and Emil Verner

Over the years I’ve gotten inquiries about taking on institutional subscriptions. Those requests have come from both academics and employees at for-profit businesses- Institutional subscriptions mean that a firm or a library would sign up on behalf of their employees, students or simply their patrons. I have had a few generous institutions move forward ad hoc, in the past. But overall I have not been able to support such subscriptions. Today that changes. Now institutions can subscribe and provide access to Notes on the Crises.

Introduction

How do we change the narrative to make a better world? How do we tell stories for social change? Do you want to learn how to change hearts and minds on different issues?

Here is a live list of courses. Get in touch if you have a course to add.

Introduction

A collection of resources about narrative change including best practices, evaluation, funding, infrastructure and case studies.

Narrative Change rests on the premise that reality is socially constructed through narrative, and that in order to bring about change in the world we need to pay attention to the ways in which this takes place.

Narrative change involves changing which narratives are dominant in culture and discourse, in order to shift how people understand society and their role in it. This can involve a change in the set of narratives in wide circulation, and/or a change in the relative prevalence of different narratives.

See the Narrative Directory Glossary to understand the different terms and definitions involved with narrative change.

Resources

Narrative Change Theory and Best Practices

Here is a collection of resources that provide a foundational understanding of narrative change strategy, from big-picture theory to applied practices.

Introduction

This toolkit, includes tips, reflections and resources for those looking to take real steps to decolonize your approaches and meaningfully support Indigenous movements. Decolonizing Climate Action: A Tool Kit for ENGOs in So-called Canada, was developed by:

Indigenous reviewers:

• Alexa Metallic, Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation.  
• Kahsennóktha, Kanehsatà:ke Kanien’kehà:ka First Nation.  
• Onagoshi Haymond, Kebaowek First Nation, Indigenous Climate Action.  
• Sakej Ward, Mi’kmaq, Esgenoopetitj First Nation.  
• Tori Cress from the Anishinaabe Nation, Keepers of the Water, living in G’Chimnissing on Georgian Bay in Williams Treaty territory. 

Settler drafters and project leads:  

• Dr. Jen Gobby, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Concordia University, Coordinator and Founder of Research for the Front Lines.  

• Emily Lowan, Fossil Fuel Supply Campaigns Lead for Climate Action Network Canada and volunteer with Research for the Front Lines. 

Graphic Designer and Artist:  

In fact, more than two thirds (71%) of those polled say that right should be protected by federal legislation.

In a report released in July, the Human Rights Law Centre found there had been 49 laws passed over the last two decades eroding Australians’ right to protest – many aimed at those protesting inaction on climate change.

The Australia Institute polling reveals voters from all parties agree that peaceful protest has a right to play in our democracy, including 79% of Labor voters, 75% of Coalition voters and 73% of One Nation voters.

Key findings

• Seven in 10 Australians (71%) support federal legislation to protect the right to peaceful protest
• Four in five of those aged 18–29 (80%) support legislation protecting the right to protest
• Four in five Australians (79%) agree peaceful protest has a role to play in Australia’s democracy

“Peaceful protest has an essential role to play in democracy and it played a major role in helping women win the right to vote, ending Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and protecting significant parts of Australia’s history and culture such as The Rocks,” said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“It is clear that a majority of Australians support the right to peaceful protest, even if they don’t always agree with each individual protest.

The report was written by the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC), a community legal centre that provides free and confidential legal advice and assistance to people throughout New South Wales on all immigration, refugee, and citizenship matters.

It finds that restrictive visa settings are at the root of the many cases of exploitation. This includes the fact that PALM workers are not allowed to leave their employer without approval from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). These employers are allowed to make deductions from the wages of PALM workers, which means they are sometimes left with just $100-$200 per week.

Over two years, IARC participated in a series of forums for migrant workers engaged in supplying Australia’s two major supermarkets with fruit and vegetables. IARC also regularly advises PALM workers referred to the service as a result of experiencing workplace exploitation.