This housing affordability crisis is just one piece of the puzzle. Income and wealth inequality are on the rise, as the rich continue to accumulate wealth at an unprecedented rate, while the wages of everyday Australians stagnate. The gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening, and with it, the sense that Australia is no longer the land of equal opportunity.

Education, once seen as the great equalizer, is increasingly reflecting and reinforcing this inequality. The divide between public and private schooling is growing, with the latter offering more resources and opportunities that pave the way for success. In a country where your future was once determined more by your efforts than your background, this shift is deeply troubling.

The labor market, too, is transforming in ways that challenge our egalitarian ethos. The rise of casual and gig work has brought with it economic insecurity for many, creating a workforce where stable, well-paying jobs are increasingly out of reach. For those at the bottom, the dream of climbing the economic ladder is becoming more elusive.

But perhaps what’s most concerning is the erosion of our social safety net. The cuts to welfare, the push towards privatization of essential services, and the unequal access to healthcare—these are not just policy choices; they are choices that speak to what kind of society we want to be. They are choices that, if left unchecked, will further erode the social fabric that binds us together as a nation.

Yet, amidst this growing inequality, the question remains: are we willing to let go of our egalitarian ideals, or are we prepared to fight for them? The answer, I believe, lies in how we respond to these challenges. Will we demand policies that address inequality head-on, that ensure a fair go for all Australians, not just the privileged few? Or will we accept the status quo, content to watch as the gap between us widens?

Australia’s egalitarian spirit is not lost—not yet. But it is at a crossroads. The choices we make today will determine whether that spirit endures or fades into history. As we grapple with these challenges, we must remember that the "fair go" is more than just a phrase—it’s a promise, one that we owe to ourselves and to future generations.

The fight for equality is never easy, but it is essential. And if there’s one thing that Australia’s history has taught us, it’s that when we stand together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Let’s not lose sight of that now.