28th May 2009
Ray Hamann (Adv 25/5) has declared that many of us forget that governments are not elected to carry out the wishes of the so called minority.
On the surface this may be true, however, I have a clear recollection of the election night festivities during which a jubilant Rudd declared that his would be a “government for ALL Australians”.
Strangely enough, this government is no different to any other Labor government - pandering to a smug group of social engineering elite and once again ignoring the needs and wishes of their traditional core constituency.
28 May, 2009
10 May, 2009
Foreign aid
10th May 2009
The Rudd government has just finished splashing taxpayers' money about to stimulate the economy-with negligible effect.
Recently, Wayne Swan admitted we could be looking at a $60 Billion per year deficit for at least 6 years, a debt which will probably be inherited by our children and only repaid by selling off the last few assets our country possesses.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has just announced a further $10 million aid on top of $23.5 million sent to Sri Lanka alone for use by UN agencies.
One question, if we are running on a $60 Billion annual deficit, from where does this extra $33.5 Billion come and should we be throwing money around when we have rising unemployment, companies collapsing, a struggling health sector, dwindling water supplies and reportedly sub standard education and child care?
The Rudd government has just finished splashing taxpayers' money about to stimulate the economy-with negligible effect.
Recently, Wayne Swan admitted we could be looking at a $60 Billion per year deficit for at least 6 years, a debt which will probably be inherited by our children and only repaid by selling off the last few assets our country possesses.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has just announced a further $10 million aid on top of $23.5 million sent to Sri Lanka alone for use by UN agencies.
One question, if we are running on a $60 Billion annual deficit, from where does this extra $33.5 Billion come and should we be throwing money around when we have rising unemployment, companies collapsing, a struggling health sector, dwindling water supplies and reportedly sub standard education and child care?
16 March, 2009
Immigration cuts
16th March 2009
Given the current economic situation the recent news by the government to cut immigration by 18 000 is welcome news even though it is only a small step in the right direction.
However, of concern is the category in which the cuts are to take place- skilled immigration. During times of economic downturn in which local employees lose their jobs, it stands to reason that many may have to look for work for which they are over qualified in order to pay mortgages and feed families.
Therefore, we have more people seeking the blue collar jobs and part time positions, the very positions which often attract new arrivals such as those settled under "humanitarian" programs.
Surely, if the government is interested in employment and the national interest, they should be allowing in the skilled immigrants who have finances behind them and skills to contribute to the economy and instead cut the intake in the "humanitarian" category who often have few skills, little English and more often than not require support from the Australian taxpayer?
Given the current economic situation the recent news by the government to cut immigration by 18 000 is welcome news even though it is only a small step in the right direction.
However, of concern is the category in which the cuts are to take place- skilled immigration. During times of economic downturn in which local employees lose their jobs, it stands to reason that many may have to look for work for which they are over qualified in order to pay mortgages and feed families.
Therefore, we have more people seeking the blue collar jobs and part time positions, the very positions which often attract new arrivals such as those settled under "humanitarian" programs.
Surely, if the government is interested in employment and the national interest, they should be allowing in the skilled immigrants who have finances behind them and skills to contribute to the economy and instead cut the intake in the "humanitarian" category who often have few skills, little English and more often than not require support from the Australian taxpayer?
14 January, 2009
Bill of Rights a potential tool of oppression
14th January 2009
The implementation of a Bill of Rights is no guarantor of human rights in this country-it is in fact a tool that can be used to further erode the freedoms so many Australians take for granted today.
We support the right of Australians to freedom of speech and freedom of association.
The Australian Constitution should be enough to guarantee these rights, if not, then careful changes must be proposed and put to the Australian people in the form of a referendum.
A Bill of Rights has been enacted by various countries, many of which have had the most brutal and oppressive dictatorships known to man, a perfect example being the Soviet Union-how did a Bill of Rights or a UN Charter defend those persecuted by the government or tortured by the KGB? If anything, such a Bill here could be used to stifle freedom of speech and religious expression.
A Bill enacted in Australia could be used to seriously curtail criticism of beliefs or behaviour one finds abhorrent in defence of “human rights”. Where would that leave those wanting to voice their concern about practices such as polygamy, sodomy, female circumcision and abortion?
Furthermore, a Bill could be used to deny the right of an employer to employ the most suitable candidate for a position-as in the case of religious based schools wanting teachers to support the Christian ethos of their institution.
Such a move, intent on transferring power from Parliament to unaccountable judiciary is fraught with dangers to the freedoms given to us by previous generations, not least those who gave their lives upon the battlefield- it must be rejected outright.
The implementation of a Bill of Rights is no guarantor of human rights in this country-it is in fact a tool that can be used to further erode the freedoms so many Australians take for granted today.
We support the right of Australians to freedom of speech and freedom of association.
The Australian Constitution should be enough to guarantee these rights, if not, then careful changes must be proposed and put to the Australian people in the form of a referendum.
A Bill of Rights has been enacted by various countries, many of which have had the most brutal and oppressive dictatorships known to man, a perfect example being the Soviet Union-how did a Bill of Rights or a UN Charter defend those persecuted by the government or tortured by the KGB? If anything, such a Bill here could be used to stifle freedom of speech and religious expression.
A Bill enacted in Australia could be used to seriously curtail criticism of beliefs or behaviour one finds abhorrent in defence of “human rights”. Where would that leave those wanting to voice their concern about practices such as polygamy, sodomy, female circumcision and abortion?
Furthermore, a Bill could be used to deny the right of an employer to employ the most suitable candidate for a position-as in the case of religious based schools wanting teachers to support the Christian ethos of their institution.
Such a move, intent on transferring power from Parliament to unaccountable judiciary is fraught with dangers to the freedoms given to us by previous generations, not least those who gave their lives upon the battlefield- it must be rejected outright.
11 December, 2008
Art imitating life?
11th December 2008
There appears to be much concern regarding increased incidents of violence in our society coupled with senseless acts of cruelty against animals for apparent cheap thrills.
There could be a myriad of reasons for the prevalence of such anti social behaviour, however the glorification of violence in the rubbish peddled by movie studios must surely bear some blame.
DVD rental stores such as VideoEzy stock films such as Uwe Boll's "Seed" which depicts scenes such as smashing an infant against a bus-pole, bludgeoning a policewoman's head until nothing is left, along with footage provided by PETA (for 2% of the movie's profits) depicting animals being skinned alive, dogs being starved and their heads crushed....
Human values are lowered in an unending quest for titillation, cheap thrills and entertainment that debases-all for a quick buck to be made by film studios and video outlets.
Such movies desensitise people against violence and cruelty- the presence of such behaviour in our society raises the question whether art is imitating life or dictating what is acceptable behaviour?
It would appear we are merely reaping what we sow in this regard.
There appears to be much concern regarding increased incidents of violence in our society coupled with senseless acts of cruelty against animals for apparent cheap thrills.
There could be a myriad of reasons for the prevalence of such anti social behaviour, however the glorification of violence in the rubbish peddled by movie studios must surely bear some blame.
DVD rental stores such as VideoEzy stock films such as Uwe Boll's "Seed" which depicts scenes such as smashing an infant against a bus-pole, bludgeoning a policewoman's head until nothing is left, along with footage provided by PETA (for 2% of the movie's profits) depicting animals being skinned alive, dogs being starved and their heads crushed....
Human values are lowered in an unending quest for titillation, cheap thrills and entertainment that debases-all for a quick buck to be made by film studios and video outlets.
Such movies desensitise people against violence and cruelty- the presence of such behaviour in our society raises the question whether art is imitating life or dictating what is acceptable behaviour?
It would appear we are merely reaping what we sow in this regard.
10 November, 2008
Bali bomber hypocrisy
10th November 2008
The recent approach by the Rudd government towards the punishment of the Bali Bombers is nothing more than blatant double standards based on appealing to popular sentiment.
The government has been quite correct in supporting the execution of these murderers. However, in the wake of justice being done, Rudd now says his government will push for an international moratorium on capital punishment.
So, we got what we wanted, now the practice must stop?
Throughout the world, including our own country, there are thousands of people who brutally murder the old, the innocent and the defenceless. There are those who prey upon the weak - raping, molesting and defiling.
Are these any less deserving of the ultimate punishment?
Rather than push for a moratorium, Rudd should be opening the debate of capital punishment for those committing such heinous acts against the most vulnerable in society.
The recent approach by the Rudd government towards the punishment of the Bali Bombers is nothing more than blatant double standards based on appealing to popular sentiment.
The government has been quite correct in supporting the execution of these murderers. However, in the wake of justice being done, Rudd now says his government will push for an international moratorium on capital punishment.
So, we got what we wanted, now the practice must stop?
Throughout the world, including our own country, there are thousands of people who brutally murder the old, the innocent and the defenceless. There are those who prey upon the weak - raping, molesting and defiling.
Are these any less deserving of the ultimate punishment?
Rather than push for a moratorium, Rudd should be opening the debate of capital punishment for those committing such heinous acts against the most vulnerable in society.
18 October, 2008
Nationals' education policy
18th October 2008
I refer to the recent letter by SA Nationals' President Wilbur Klein regarding education options for regional Australians.
Of course Mr.Klein is correct in pointing out the added financial burden that is carried by regional families should they look elsewhere for the education of their children and the policy of financial support is positive.
However, it must surely require more than access to high speed internet to attract quality teachers possessing an empathy for regional areas to our schools.
Australian governments should be offering highly subsidised training for those wishing to enter the teaching profession in return for a legally binding agreement to serve a minimum of 5 years in regional schools. Such a policy would encourage regional students to further their education and remain in country areas.
There is certainly no reason why this form of assistance could not be extended to other professions such as doctors and other health sector related positions, negating the need to rely on quick fix solutions such as importing foreign professionals, many of whom possess qualifications not recognised in our country and who do not understand the needs of regional Australians.
I refer to the recent letter by SA Nationals' President Wilbur Klein regarding education options for regional Australians.
Of course Mr.Klein is correct in pointing out the added financial burden that is carried by regional families should they look elsewhere for the education of their children and the policy of financial support is positive.
However, it must surely require more than access to high speed internet to attract quality teachers possessing an empathy for regional areas to our schools.
Australian governments should be offering highly subsidised training for those wishing to enter the teaching profession in return for a legally binding agreement to serve a minimum of 5 years in regional schools. Such a policy would encourage regional students to further their education and remain in country areas.
There is certainly no reason why this form of assistance could not be extended to other professions such as doctors and other health sector related positions, negating the need to rely on quick fix solutions such as importing foreign professionals, many of whom possess qualifications not recognised in our country and who do not understand the needs of regional Australians.
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