Allegra Spender asks voters what they think.
Where I live in Sydney has been allocated to the Federal electorate of Wentworth. It was previously in the electorate of Sydney, where the Minister for the Environment, Tania Plibersek — also known as the 'coal queen' for her reckless approval of new coal mines — has ruled with an iron fist for years.
Today, I received a letter, (generic), from Allegra Spender, the current federal member for Wentworth, asking me to go online and complete a survey, giving my views and describing the main issues I am concerned about. (Note: Tania Plibersek has never asked all her electors for their opinions.)
Like all online surveys, you have to type your answers into a tiny box, with limited editing tools. But here are the points I was able to submit:
1. Irrational tree preservation policy.
In my own case, Sydney Council's refusal to allow the replacement of two large trees (of a species declared as a noxious weed) has led to over a million dollars in damage (and ongoing), and councils failure to protect its stormwater system from the invasive roots has led to flooding and a $100,000 insurance claim. (Our insurance premiums have gone through the roof and council refuses to accept any responsibility.)
2. Loss of street parking.
Deliberate removal of on-street parking (replaced with concrete and bitumen planters of introduced-species plants), victimises sensible car owners and makes it difficult to obtain support services.
3. The war in Gaza.
Failure to call out war crimes in the Gaza genocide, makes all politicians (who do not call it out), accomplices.
4. Selective enforcement of racial discrimination laws.
I hear all people of European descent being racially vilified on a daily basis. If we believe what we hear, during the 18th century, all our ancestors sat around in grand houses sipping tea from porcelain cups and using hallmarked silver sugar nips to sweeten their tea with sugar produced by black slaves in the Caribbean. We need truth telling about the social/living conditions of the working classes in the 18th century. (It is quite an eye-opener.)
3. An Australian republic.
Before we start talking about Australia becoming a republic, we need to start increasing the depth of our 'democracy'. There are many issues that should not be left to the political party system to decide. We have regular elections, why not put some of these questions to plebiscite at the same time?
Federal governments are routinely covering up their own mis-management by boosting the economy by reckless levels of immigration. We are stealing the educated people from third-world economies. I would like to see the federal government compensate the countries from which we draw immigrants for the costs that have been incurred in producing the well educated (professional) immigrants we take in. It is cheaper to steal educated people from the third world than pay to train Australians.
If we don't want a monarchy we should start by removing the trappings of monarchy.
Immunity from prosecution is one. Why aren't the public servants who oversaw the Robodebt scandal facing prosecution?
Wanton waste of money in opulent display is another. Why does the governor General need to have his/her own private jet? Quentin Bryce was spending $110,000 a year on flower arrangements for Yarralumla. Judges face no penalty when their judgements are overturned on appeal and revealed to be deeply flawed.
General perception of corruption is another. Transparency international rates Australia at 13 [on the list of least corrupt governments]. (top is Denmark at 1.) I would like to see this score in the single digits.
4. Dubious reports.
The practice of accepting the findings of any dubious report, that supports current policy should be called out. There are whole industries (not-for-profits, university departments, etc.) that have grown up to get government funding to 'find' statistics that support government policy.
It seems 'reports' and 'findings', often from self-interest groups, are accepted without question if they seem to support the political agenda of the day. In most cases, (e.g. see the 'Australian Child Maltreatment Report'), people in power don't seem to have even read the report, let alone taken a critical look at its methodology. When I have time I download reports and actually read them. The fact they go on to be quoted as undeniable fact is a serious worry for the progression of our society. (See a small collection I have put up on my website: (Link)
5. The Aboriginal industry.
One large industry that has grown up in recent years is in Aboriginal affairs. There are thousands of people lining up for this gravy train, and the money is flowing, but it does not seem to help the Aboriginals I see begging on the street around my suburb (Kings Cross).
Of particular concern is the failure to have a good look at traditional Aboriginal culture. A good example of this is the recent Coroner's report in the NT on the deaths of 4 Aboriginal women. The 250 page report barely mentions traditional culture.
The most authoritative work in the field is Daisy Bates work: 'The Passing of the Aborigines'. This woman spent 40 years working with and caring for Aboriginals in the deserts. It is so important I have put up a full copy on my website: (Link)
On page 74 she writes:
'The woman is an economic asset to the man who owns her. He can lend her but in barter always. He can exchange her for another woman, or for weapons or some such as payment, and he may even dispose of her finally for a price and scrupulously keep his agreement in that transaction. She then ceases to be his economic asset, the important fact that counted in native domestic relations being that sexual jealousy was secondary to what might be called economic jealousy.'
On page 28 she writes:
'There is no glorification of maternity, no reverence of woman as woman in the dark mind of the aboriginal. Apart from the natural affection between mother and son, sister and brother, and apart from her physical fulfilment of certain dominant needs, a woman is less than the dust. Her inferiority is recognized by the very youngest of the tribe.'
With Best Wishes for productive work in parliament.
Ian Bruce.
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