FEDERAL POLITICS
Have they got our backs?
THE elephant in the room for the Coalition is to ask why its Federal Government has remained in a losing position for such a long time, whilst its leader, who may be toppled, has remained very popular. Sure, its narky and bitter backbench seems ideologically determined to topple Turnbull for Dutton, but it’s useful to remember that whether Turnbull or Abbott or Dutton, Coalition frontbenchers, no matter how the deckchairs have been shuffled, have failed to cut through with voters on policy and strategy; they have failed to create and sell a convincing program of administration and development that assures us they’ve got our backs and know where we’re going. And nothing, no one, looks like they’re going to change that. It’s easy to pick ideological fights when you’re all out of workable ideas.
The antipathy of the electorate may have more to do with Australian politics’ priority on getting elected, while running the nation part-time, and the failure of conservative politics to twig to the realisation Australians have actually become quite astute and well informed about policy and politics over the decade; and not so willing to be patronised over what’s good for us. cheap and reliable energy, but even more misleading is the implication that power bills are the only costs to worry about. The effects of climate change are visible all around us, in the form of record-breaking heatwaves, droughts, floods and bushfires. Does anyone believe these won’t cost our communities dearly, in the form of health effects, lost productivity and disaster recovery?
Does anyone believe the costs won’t be passed on to the ordinary person? Politicians must stop playing games and start listening to the advice of scientists, economists and doctors, not just on the extent of the threat, but on solutions. Where is leadership?
Rally for victory
IN an earlier war, a great leader evoked Britain’s “finest hour” to ensure “the survival of … civilisation”. Churchill rallied his nation to unite, to sacrifice and to work together for ultimate victory. In the current climate war, the stakes are even greater, yet where are our leaders? Kevin Rudd was an early casualty: though given a clear mandate to address climate change, his cheap and efficient carbon strategy was sabotaged by Tony Abbott and far-Right cronies, who saw political opportunity in dividing the population and reframing power reform as being about cheap electricity.
These conspirators not only ignored the predictions of climate experts, they attacked the scientific institutions whose data contradicted their ideology and weakened international campaigns to prevent disaster. Now, 11 crucial years have Glenorchy City Council to push ahead with plans to sell DEC Great. Maybe when council sell the centre and pocket the cash they can reimburse all us ratepayers the 12.5 percent extra they just charged us on our yearly rates bill because they had empty coffers. been lost, and the predicted droughts, winter bushfires, and heatwaves are starting to occur, with worse to come, yet still the far Right will not accept we must act decisively. But we know Malcolm Turnbull understands the consequences of losing this war. If he cannot convince the far Right to act, as suggested by Peter Boyer (Talking Point, August 21), he must do his duty under the Westminster system and resign, bringing down this government and allow a more capable group to resume the battle. Show some leadership!
No leading
THE commentary about Malcolm Turnbull trying to retain his leadership rings rather hollow when we all know that as prime minister he has done no leading. In order to gain the position of leader of the Liberal Party he was willing to give up his supposed cast-iron principles and have his hands tied by those on the extreme Right of his party led by his predecessor who was and is an expert on misleading.
Sharks circling
IT was reported on Monday that “Senator Abetz has always supported the elected leader of the Liberal Party and has always been policy focused,” according to a spokesman. Just like a football coach is doomed when told he has “the full support of the board”, Turnbull is barely treading water and the sharks smell blood.
Crowdfunding and politics
I’M absolutely certain social media can play its part in addressing climate change. Could somebody please forward me the address of the crowdfunding effort to get Tony Abbott onto the Mars One mission.
Backdowns
LIKE chalk and cheese or is it carbon and gunsmoke, Hodgman and Turnbull back down on policies. Really it’s all hot air.
Building formula
NEXT time I build a shed, I must remember the process in Hobart. I should start with a proposal for one that is 95m high, scale it back on the plan to 69m or “no larger than the Royal Hobart Hospital”, which will make it “congruent” with the neighbourhood, and then build it to about 80m. I believe it works every time.
Walking our way
WE see that a developer wants to attract “high-end people” to the East Coast ( Mercury, August 20). He doesn’t explain the description, perhaps they all have very long legs.