Why is it that when we talk about reform it is nearly always about how much something costs rather than what it is worth?

I remember the joy of the Whitlam years. It was invigorating. The changes he made – not promises for the distant future but real achievements – could truly be labelled reform.

Ended conscription and got us out of Vietnam
Opened relationships with China
Established Medibank
Introduced the supporting mother’s benefit and welfare payment for homeless people.
Equal pay for women and extended adult minimum wage to include women workers
Abolished the death penalty
No-fault divorce
Federal funding for state schools
Free university education
25% cut in tariffs across the board
Sewerage connection
Reduced voting age to 18
An Order of Australia replaced the British Honours system
Racial discrimination act
Land rights to Indigenous people
Replaced God Save the Queen with Advance Australia Fair as the national anthem.
Established the National Gallery of Australia, the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Heritage Commission, FM and community radio.
The film industry flourished

Talk about tax cuts, national security, and surpluses doesn’t have the same inspirational ring to it somehow.

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