The Accord
[Early Access]
Hello Patrons,
We wanted to get this to you a few days ago but were delayed. We've been teasing this video for a while now, it's a pretty big piece on how Australia was put on the right track in the 1980s and how we're still benefitting today from decisions made them.
We think this one will drum up a lot of discussion so we're keen to hear your thoughts. There's mention of a Patreon exclusive video about the banks in here too, we'll upload that one for you in a few days!
Thanks for waiting,
The FJ Crew
Comments (52)
From May 2026, Paul Keating is still alive.
‘Can’t have Brexit without Brenter!’ 🤣
Have just found this one. Late, but thank you. Still watching, and learning.
Question: Don't you think it's time the tax free threshold went up? AND, Australia set a poverty line? I'm glad we've had some great economic thinkers who have given us a system that provides benefits to those who can't afford them and a system where all those working and earning enough throw in a little to help all of that be paid for. It's great. Yes. I like it a lot. But you end up on the NAIRU end of this stick and with poverty and no housing affordable, how on earth can you be expected to do anything. Seems to me the real heavy lifters of staving off inflation right now, are those who many of our social supports now don't provide support for at all. In the eighties, being unemployed you could afford a roof over your head. And, a busker could pull out a guitar and open the case just about anywhere. Now, both these things are gone - you need money for permits to busk now. Oh, the irony.
it's always telling who talked to people who were there and who didn't. this is a piece talking about how the unions knew they needed to pivot at the end of the 80s, and didn't : https://www.themonthly.com.au/august-2025/essays/state-unions the actu even produced a report on how to continue the advancement of the unions after the accords called australia reconstructed (which is out of print and unavailable at the usual suspects, so exists exclusively in some library collections)
Thanks for this.
Also the Greens and Independents never admit that John Howard screwed NSW by privatising National Rail Corp by blocking NSW State owned FreightCorp from buying it, this would have baisically made what is now Sydney Trains extremely profitable and allowed for Capital investment and upgrades sorely needed while also keeping regional rail lines open. So there ya go, John Howard killed regional communities not Bob Carr
Ah the only union I know who sold out their own members was the RTBU selling out guards on freight trains around the country and guards on passenger trains in Victoria, SA and WA
Guards. Can't wait for the RC on that industry. hmmm
Just wondering if this video is going to be released on YT?
dude im on the ndis and i should definitely not be
im banned all over for mentioning the VOC
It's like how Steven Pinker likes to complain that progressives are the last to admit that we have actually progressed
I love how the tom Ballard's and max chandler mathers of Aus decry hawke-keating as neoliberal as if it's some terrible slander. A few points to counter. One is that their favourite labor leader, Whitlam, actually kickstarted Australian neoliberalism with an across the board tariff reduction of 25%. You won't hear them mention this, mostly because they simply wouldnt know. I don't think they know our history well. Second is that this neoliberal govt of hawke-keating re-introduced universal health care and super. I know Whitlam first introduced medibank, but because his govt was so short lived, Fraser was able to wind it back. Goes to show you do need long term govts to ensure great policy is embedded into our governance. Won't hear the green mob mention that either. And also, super, the greatest of our great Keating's accomplishments, that was also passed during his PM, so that's one Keating accomplishment that Hawke can't claim. Super is a massive reason we have such great living standards in retirement. Won't hear the green mobs praise it, they only focus on the negatives
Up the Unions! Now I’m off to buy another flavoured milk…..
ily man teaching me, some American, about niche island politics from the 80s I wasn't even alive for that doesn't affect me whatsoever. This isn't even sarcasm, I think its a testament to your talent that you could get someone like me who shouldn't be interested at all about this kinda shit intrigued enough to lend you me ear (and 20 bucks monthly). Your labor propaganda (hehe nice) has really made me bullish on Australia for the future and even though my country is kinda in the shitter right now I experience the opposite of schadenfreude for you guys after holding out hope for the better part of 10 years.
Jordies, there is a petition to remove Albo as Prime Minister. Is it worth returning the common-sense brigade to duty to combat it, and all the slander the labor party is getting? It’s already got 250k signatures...
I'd argue that it's necessary for a return to duty. Bloody disgusting that the vultures have weaponised grief and shock for their agendas and are just getting away with it
You left out Laurie Carmichael who was the architect of the Accord. The trotskyists in the Greens hate the Accord because of him. The whole context of what was known as the historic compromise between capital and labour was an international endeavour. It succeeded spectacularly in Australia where it failed in many other places. Thank you for pointing out its success. It’s really important to push back on the anti-Accord arguments with historical fact.
When I grow up, I’m going to make a concentrated effort to not label industry superannuation as solely “retirement money” to my kids. I want my children to gain a broader understanding of the concept. Funnily enough, I continue to watch the “John Howard Ruined Everything” video because the comment placed on superannuation (commonwealth in the purest sense) is a sentiment that is uplifting. I also think the idea of Australia being a “lucky country” is awful. We should Trojan Horse the title to the U.A.E (the white trash of the Middle East; sounds off but why purchase every sports team ever?) and work harder to demonstrate that we are more than “second rate people”.
The reason I love your videos Is how much it makes me go and do my own research When you showed up on my feed it definitly increased my knowledge on my country and economics And makes me ENJOY it
It’s crazy how I never got taught at school about the great people that made Australia such a great country before I was even born I’ll be happy to tell my kids tho
Bill Kelty deserves his own video.
Most high effort audition to get Keating on the pod
Funny thing is I'm watching this video in a hospital bed, that I have access too only through that wonderful Little Green Card mentioned in this video, the same card Albo proudly waved in Labor's victory speech, all of that thanks to the great leaders of a bygone age. This is not just the "Lucky Country" it's the smart, strong and handsome country built by smart, strong and handsome people, truly the greatest country!
Spectacular research. I am armed now to take on my boomer nit wits mates, WHO WERE THERE when the Accord was formed and have forgotten how good it was/is for our country. My memory is that it was awesome. You could feel the country change beneath your feet. Just keep doing what you are doing.
But Combank privatisation has fucked country towns, as when Combank was Public they had a branch in every town, the private Banks then also had branches in these towns
That didn't really fuck country towns, the Libs and Nats did that by systematically isolating country towns.
QANTAS i guess
Jordies December 25, Keating was neoliberal but a good Neoliberal
the keating interview is SO coming.
yes
worst video, said Chad Curtin was meh. I am dead now
"People who don't want labor to control RBA have 'neoliberal brain worms' " So opposing a "neoliberal" party controlling the reserve bank is neoliberal???
jordies ily
The p76 was better than the other three and had the same issues with production the others did. Industrial Construction and dock workers now are still getting good pay rises while most other industries do not, but Howard did what he could to smash the unions so there's that. The way people think others are happy to strike don't realise the downsides. Business loans are down now as well as business investment, but that's worldwide. But yes Hawke and Keating made Australia better. It's frustrating to me that Qantas, commbank wasn't kept in Australias ownership via shares, not letting other countries invest in it and profiting just like public transport.
More Keating stuff please FJ - Best video in a while!
That David hides bodies joke was so quick I did a double take. Good work on this one
Thanks Jordies. I remember a friend telling me the Hawke/ Keating govt was neoliberalism. I didn't have facts other than what Kevin Rudd said in your interview was if the economy didn't open up when they did it, it would have collapsed. Glad to have more pieces of the puzzle. Liam Byrne mentioned the Accord in his book about Unions and was keen for more information
Purple pingers does love you repeat that lie.
Would have heard if Keating had gone. I remember meeting him not long after he became P.M. he looked ten foot tall to me. And they cut him down like a Koala. John Howard must thank God every day for Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull so he's only the fourth worst Prime Minister behind those two and Robert Menzies.
Agreed, Hawke, Keating and others in the 80s did great things for this country. Join a union and fight for your benefits. Luckily we have every sort of dirt, and food that others want.
Rest of world: critical minerals Australia: dirt flavours
Where is that video of Jordies talking about the bank and Qantas? Is it an already released video or am I not able to access it at my current tier of membership?
It is an older one iirc
Not that I don’t believe Jordies is the only source of information I will ever need (he is and I do), but this topic is interesting - anyone know of a good book to learn more?
Yeah I would like a recommended reading list.
It’s videos like this that genuinely make me feel good about being Australian and appreciative of how good we have it. Thank you Jordies for simplifying this for plebs like me, and thank you Hawke and Keating for all you’ve done to make this happen.
Can you run for prime minister yet or nah
He'd have to leave his pod where he writes his videos and standup shows so no
Man Paul Keating is such as sick cunt
Not about Honda, unsubbing