All valid points but I don’t think its nonsense because it provides an ‘unofficial’ method of distinguishing political platforms. It’s a form of classification no different to putting names to people or breeds of dogs.
There are no absolutes in politics, social or economic engineering or in fact anything except some artificial abstract concepts such as pure mathematics. So I don’t think anyone is trying to be absolute even when posturing. The idea of left and right is completely subjective as much as knowing where the centre of politics lies. All we are trying to do is simplify an understanding of where something lies with reference to what is generally accepted or compare (or measure) it to the existing state of affairs.
Going back to the OP, the ABC would love if we didn’t classify political concepts because there would be no political measure for objectivity.
