While weekend papers highlight the happy sellers of inner-Sydney properties achieving six figures above reserve prices, homelessness is growing rapidly. More than 100,000 Australians have a different perspective of the trickle-down effect as they struggle for shelter each night. Superficial critics of Aarons will point to his left-wing background to undermine his analysis. It isn't only elements to the left of the ALP who are concerned, however. A transactional society undermines social values and loosens moral constraints.
Social values express a concern for others.
But a transactional economy is anything but a community. Globalisation does offer enormous potential opportunities. The challenge for governments will be to ensure that the benefits are not concentrated with the few. In my view there is nothing inherently wrong with the growth in the number of millionaires, but it is hard to be proud of this when there are increasing numbers of Australians living in poverty. Anthony Albanese is the Federal Labor MP for Grayndler.