Weekend Wrap 23 April 2023: Labor reforming social wage, Insiders intrigues and the dangers of self-appointed advocacy

Ben observes Peter Van Onselen's decision to wear a Foxtel show
hoodie on Insiders after a week where his parent Murdoch
publication, The Australian, was critical of Van Badham having
her book on display in the background of The Drum and another
guest seemed to accidentally make the case for why unions are
important by pointing out junior employees are often afraid to
raise issues.  You can join your union at
australianunions.org.au/wow


Ben also looks at the debate around the social wage - also called
the welfare system - in Australia and analyses Labor's statements
over the week and on today's Insiders.


It looks like there will be movement on supports for housing,
utility bills, single parent households, women's participation
and the NDIS.  This follows a week of public discourse where
the prospect of real full employment policy has entered the
mainstream. Sadly, social media has been full of vitriolic and
vile abuse by self-appointed advocates directed at people calling
for improvements to the social wage and for full employment.


Ben breaks down how these self-appointed advocates have adopted
many of the failed techniques of the Murdoch empire in targeting
individuals, stifling nuanced debate and misinterpreting
statements to suit their own agenda.  Ben explores how a
nuanced debate should deliver more employment, more support and
better outcomes. Ben also observes that campaigns of vitriolic
abuse must take some responsibility for recent polling that shows
less than half of Australians support an increase in Jobseeker
payments.


Plus there's a reminder to vote YES on the referendum and an
observation that, despite Dutton's attempts to confuse the issue,
the proposition is a very simple one; Do you support recognising
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the constitution? 
Do you support consulting with them on policies that will impact
them?