You could have been mistaken for thinking that Tony Abbott had written the script, and listening to her, you would think that this is the only problem we have in our country. 

Well, just to remind Ms Westacott, we have just had a royal commission into the banking and financial industries, that your proffered Government resisted having 26 times, with some shocking and alleged criminal behavior,  Energy companies ripping consumers off blind, some businesses that go broke fail to pay entitlements owed, which then have to be paid for by the taxpayer, underpaying people, cutting penalty rates, and how anyone unemployed is supposed to live on $230 a week is beyond me.

And by the way, ordinary working people have their wages monitored by arbitration, and their tax contribution snatched from their grasp before they see a bean, businesses can raise prices when they choose, and of course the rest is well known.

And then there is the subject of productivity, always being flogged by someone sitting on their arse in an office, who wouldn't know one end of the production line from the other.

Read more: Business wants to work with unions on jobs

A market – an  market –  requires that government make and influence the rules of the game.    Government does intrude on the “ free power “.  It  influences the market.

Those  who argue for “ less government”  are really arguing for a different  government—often one that supports their or their patrons  views.  Deregulation has  not  meant less government.  Only a different set of rules.

As philosopher John Rawls suggested, a fair set of rules would reflect the views of the typical citizen who did not know how he or she would be affected by its application.    Accordingly the “free-market” would generate outcomes that improve the well-being of the vast majority.

Market  forces  should be working for the many, not the few in our society.   In  services for our ageing population, in education and in  health. Recent investigations of the abuse of the elderly, the actions of our Banking Financial services and the removal of funding from regulators by government  has bought about this demise.

When a democracy is failing, it seems the rules do enhance the wealth of a comparative few at the top.    While almost everyone else is left  relatively  poorly and economically insecure

Today those with sufficient power and resources have enough influence over politicians, regulatory heads and even councils to ensure that the free – market works mostly on their behalf.

For market freedom to be understood  we need to know how that power operates and by whom.

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