Julia Gillard, Australia's First Female Prime Minister, On Politics And Purpose

[mattclearing]

On Labor's defeat in the recent elections here in Australia, and the way forward...relevant for Dems as well, as she is basically arguing for the need to elevate principled progressives above careerist weathervanes:

Ultimately organisations tell you what they are all about and what they value, by what they reward. A great sales company rewards sales with performance bonuses. A great manufacturing business rewards those who generate fault-free products for it. A company with an overriding concern for safety constantly renews it protocols and issues rewards when no one gets hurt at work. This is all commonplace and common sense.

But how does it work for a progressive political party? Unfortunately, internally we have not rewarded Labor purpose. In order to renew purpose in opposition new cultural norms are needed, norms that reward the contributions that are truly the most valuable.

How does Labor refresh purpose and demonstrate that is exactly what it is doing? How does Labor set a cultural norm that ensures those who put in most for the collective effort are recognised for the work done?

Or put another way, how does Labor make visible and valued what is currently hidden and undervalued?

Much more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/13/julia-gillard-labor-purpose-future