| PREPARING FOR THE 2013 AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION SUGGESTED VOTING There is a need to deliver a strong, and ongoing message, to the members of the Australian federal parliament in both houses and to the senior members of the Labor and lIberal parties. The parliament is low grade in performance and quality of debate, and of questionable value for the money. They have lost sight of the public, and national, interest. This is not limited to fesdral politics but permeates the whole of Australia's parliamets.  There are a large number of people who believe that the Australian parliament does not represent the interests of the people. The federal parliament does not function professionally nor with integrity. It is held in low regard. Past members of the parliament have publicly stated the decline of the Labor Party. Some despair the state of affairs. "Senator John Faulkner wants the Labor Party cleansed of its unionist bosses, but this political-fixing legend's minority view diminishes his power. Prickly, intimidating and now also angry about the decline of the Labor Party, Faulkner is still an influential figure in the ALP, if only as the light on the hill. But the real power in the Labor Party lies elsewhere, as he would be the first to admit. Even if his advice is still valued, he's a minority view in a minority faction and he has never played the numbers game. Faulkner's Wran Lecture in Sydney in June this year warned colleagues that Labor has no future if it continues to shun its members. "The party has now become so reliant on focus groups that it listens more to those who do not belong to it than to those who do," he warned. Faulkner desperately wants to see power in the party given back to the rank and file, and taken away from the unions and their factional deputies whom he (and others) see as far more selfish and damaging than those in the days of (Robert) Ray and (Graham Richardson ) Richo. But Faulkner is pessimistic about the chances of change: the ones with the power don't want to give it up, and the ones with none are too scared to speak out." (Source of extract: The Power Index.com - Political Fixers,http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/political-fixers/john-faulkner) Yet the Labor leadership and the power brokers of the Labor party studiously ignore this decline preferring to mainatin their own personal agendas, and pursuits, rather than to work to reform the parliament in the interest of the wider electorate. The leadership of the two major parties - Labor and Liberal - do not exhibit strong integrity and ethical behaviours. Each doggedly pursues their own maintenance of power and office. Tony Abbott, who has no laudable record of achievement, and displays no creativity, in any of his Ministerial roles, has become so obsessed with the legitimacy of the Gillard government that it seems he abandons any pretence to adding value and worth to the parliament and the governance of the nation. There are past performances, current images, and words, which tell us about Mr Abbott's character. The look on his face when he is racing the school kids on the beach, the competitive grimace and desire to win is so evident. A belligerent competitive disposition on display in the parliament and in every day life. He creates class division and it might be perceived that he may hold people in contempt according to their abilities. He does not, in my opinion, offer inspiration to be than you might be. "ONLY the "right kids" should be assisted financially to stay in school while other teens should just leave, Tony Abbott said. The Opposition Leader said that otherwise, schools would simply be "glorified occupational therapy". (Source: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wants only the 'right kids' to stay at school by: Anna Caldwell From: The Courier-Mail November 29, 2011) The newer, and inexperienced, Labor Ministers, are no more inspiring, and innovative, than Mr. Abbott. The Prime Minister has questionable judgement and strategic sense. She has no record of achievemnt other than displaying poor professionalism in parliament and an ability to spit vitriole and sarcasm. Ms Gillard is lauded by the media for her aggressive outbursts in parliament railing against the opposition. Part theatre and part character assassination. None of it actually gives credit to anyone in the chamber. The Labor Ministry seems to have an inordinate number of members who exhibit poor judgement, and strategic awareness, as their leader does. Most things are bungled. The modus operandi seems to be to rush in without thinking carefully about the issue and the ramifications, the counter arguments and opinions. "NEW Employment Minister Bill Shorten has slapped down an unprecedented push by business, welfare groups and the union movement for a boost to the Newstart "dole" allowance as part of root-and-branch reform of the welfare system. Mr Shorten said the dole, worth $243 a week, acted as a safety net and was deliberately set at a level that encouraged people to take up paid work. "Australia's social security system needs to provide a strong safety net for people who need financial assistance while also acting as an incentive for people to take up paid work," Mr Shorten told The Australian. "Participation in the workforce is a priority the Gillard government is passionate about. Work is at the core of our beliefs. "In the current economic climate, I believe we have got the balance about right. Particularly when delivering a surplus next year and continuing our strong economic management is an important part of this balance". Mr Shorten's rejection of a Newstart increase comes after business and conservative economists added their voices to a campaign to see it lifted in the May budget." (Source: Bill Shorten rules out increase in the dole BY: PATRICIA KARVELAS From: The Australian January 11, 2012) Bill is not the Minister for Human Services, he is the Employment Minister. Human Services has the "dole" portfolio. Bill should work on being creative as Paul Keating and Simon Crean were with "Working Nation" back in the early nineties. Bill, like ghis labor Ministerial colleagues( excepting Simon Crean, martin Fergusuon and Kim Carr) exhibits no innovative thinking and creativity. Mr Shorten has made his career in the Trade Union movement, a labor training ground, paid for by the membership dues of Australian workers. Dues, a significant proportion of which are, redirected for the political purposes of some of the trade unions and the Labor Party. Some might view this as parasitic on the back of others. Shorten ties Employment/Social security to surplus. Thus money the goal of the government outweighs social jsutice and human empathy. Is he trying to walk a line to impress both sides of the political spectrum? Ego, and misunderstanding of power, along with the jockeying for position, and influence, and retention of high office is galling. The administration by the labor government is incompetent and costly. The Liberal party rehashes their hoary and aged theories within the narrow spectrum of their wilted ideology. Parts of their ideology are built on the views, theories and behaviours, of those who created the Global Financial Crisis. (Kevin Beck, The Degradation of Australia's Government and Democracy", January 2012.) |
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