Politics is a power game
THE supposed “sports rorts” imbroglio should rightly be deemed the “pork rorts” affair. The continued sniping by Labor against the incumbent government would be of national interest except that pork barrelling by political parties has been happening throughout recorded history.
Whether it was a tribal chief favouring his mates with power and influence or state politicians brown paper bagging it to garner votes, both sides of government have been buying votes with favours to their marginal electorates, gerrymandering and unethical tactics used to remain in office.
Let there be no mistake, politics is a power game, pure and simple. Gone are the days of good citizens being altruistically drawn, with no salary and few perks, to work for the betterment of their community.
When these parties are sprung about their misdeeds they squeal like pigs, ferociously barbing their opponents, neglecting to mention that they did exactly the same behaviour when in government.
I think that we are to be burdened with these annoying parasites for some time until a more honest and equitable form of government comes along.
Ross Grant, Manoora programs his government has created to combat youth crime in the Cairns region. They are:
1. The Youth Justice Act
2. QLITE
3. Cairns Community Youth Response 4. Space and Place Activities Program 5. Transition to Success Initiative 6. Conditional Bail Program 7. Integrated Case management Program
8. Restorative Justice Conferencing 9. Child Information Sharing
10. Motor Vehicle Offenders Program 11. Specialised Multi-Agency Response Teams (SMART)
Despite this array of expensive committees the youth crime rate is increasing.
It is easy to see where all the additional public servants this government has hired, are employed, and it is also easy to see why Queensland is broke.
Heaps of committees, heaps of public servants, heaps of money and zero results.
The youth crime rate is growing while this ineffective government busies itself creating more committees and programs.
Colin Toll, Clifton Beach 1982: US comedian John Belushi, 33, is found dead of a drug overdose in a rented bungalow in Hollywood.
1983: Newly-elected ALP leader Bob Hawke leads Labor to federal election victory over Coalition led by Liberal Malcolm Fraser.
2004: US homemaking entrepreneur Martha Stewart (above) is found guilty of lying to investigators over a suspicious stock sale.
2015: Queensland Reds footballer Karmichael Hunt is stripped of his vicecaptaincy and suspended for six weeks after pleading guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to four counts of cocaine possession.
2017: A British backpacker who was repeatedly raped, bashed and choked during a two-month hostage ordeal in outback Queensland is saved after a routine traffic stop.