Just when you shudder at the Treasurer’s blueprint for ‘redesigning capitalism’ and the limp response from the Coalition we have come to expect, along comes Senator Ralph Babet (UAP, Vic).
Classical liberals everywhere, take heart. There is hope that, finally, we have an advocate for our principles, and one uncaptured by the Coalition.
Straight from the Senate floor on 8 February 2023, in a speech titled Government Intervention Makes Things Worse …
Anyone with a basic understanding of economics knows that
handing-out large sums of money will destablise and manipulate the market.
Common sense, right?
Then, warming to the opportunity to let them have it, without a care how the parliamentary-careerists might react, he openly chastises the Liberal Party and National Party who took us down the wrong path …
“Never again can our country run-up such an irresponsible amount of debt
like the former Government did.”
Just in case that didn’t sit you upright and start cheering, these gems then flowed-freely in a kind of declaration of intent …
“Less stimulus. Lower taxes. If government removes financial barriers,
the market will naturally provide adequate supply
at a price acceptable to consumers.”
Well, bravo Senator. Bravo!
Now in full flight and infusing the red chamber with his particular brand of optimism, long-missed plain-speaking and unequivocal classical liberal rhetoric …
“For too long, the focus has been on government
incentivising the demand-side of the equation with taxpayer money.
It’s time to focus on the supply-side.”
If he keeps this up, the Senator will be mercilessly attacked.
That, of course, will be the sign he is threatening the cosy status-quo.
As Ralph Babet emerges as a first-time senator, it will be interesting to witness how he handles his philosophical opponents.
However, one thing is clear. Do not underestimate the good Senator from Victoria.
