11/08/2026
What does US economic domination mean for ordinary Australians?
At IPAN’s 2026 National Conference, Bevan Ramsden asked us to consider a part of the Australia–US relationship that receives far less attention: who owns and controls Australia’s economy, industries and resources.
Bevan argued that when major decisions about investment and development are made in corporate boardrooms, often overseas, those decisions are made to maximise returns to shareholders, not necessarily to meet the needs and priorities of the Australian people.
He pointed to the loss of Australia’s car manufacturing industry, corporate tax avoidance and the extraordinary concentration of economic power as examples of what is lost when Australia gives up control over its own economic future.
Drawing on the investigative journalism of Michael West Journo and the Tax Justice Network, Bevan highlighted just how stark that imbalance can be. The examples were extraordinary: one Australian worker paid more tax in a single year than five giant corporations with a combined income of $51.8 billion.
For Bevan, Australian independence was never simply about defence or foreign policy. It was about whether the wealth of this country could be used to provide affordable housing, healthcare, education, childcare, transport and action on the climate crisis, and whether Australians could determine their own priorities.
His message was clear: an independent, peaceful and sustainable Australia must also be economically independent. We must replace the current structures of imperialism and capitalism with a just, stable, and equitable socialist structure; by the people for the people.
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Dear friends,It is with great sadness that we share the news that...