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.

 

April 2025: Allegra replies to her survey. (link 1, link 2)

Ms Spender distributed a letter to all her constituents in which she summarises their concerns as:

"You told me about the importance of reducing housing costs, economic reform, and combatting the climate crisis — but also about local concerns like preserving the density in Potts Point and reviving the nighttime economy."

She is certainly living on another planet to me — none of my concerns rated a mention.

Recently she sent out emails asking for comments. I replied citing her lack of concern over the genocide in Gaza. The reply I received avoids the mentionof the word 'genocide' — the most outspoken word is 'conflict.' She is basically parroting the policy of the current Labor government without any mention of the actions of the Israeli forces.

March 20 2025: email to Allegra Spender

Dear Allegra Spender MP,

I support the email currently being passed around by Amnesty International about the genocide currently being carried out in Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces.

Whilst I support the notion of independents in federal parliament to counteract the dominance of big parties and their associated corruption, I find that the scope of policies followed by independents is purely domestic and ignores the role of federal parliament in setting the agenda in foreign affairs. (I have heard you speak at a community meeting and it sounds more like someone running for election to a local council than the parliament of a country in the world.)

Of particular concern is the fact that you have not addressed the issue of the genocide currently being carried out in Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces. I haven't heard you mention it once.

It is the most well-documented genocide in human history and you act as if it wasn't happening. You seem quite concerned with the quality of road surfaces, bicycle lanes and the efficiency of rubbish collection services but on the international front you are blank.

It is my opinion that any politician in Australia who doesn't call out the genocide being perpetrated in Gaza is complicit in that genocide and in the course of time will be recognised as a criminal under international law. I believe you are one of them.

You may think yourself powerless but surely your own moral code forbids turning a blind eye to mass murder.

You must use the words 'genocide' and 'mass murder', acknowledge what the extensive documentation of the atrocity is showing us, or prepare yourself to be condemned by history as a facilitator of mass murder.

Sincerely Yours,

Ian Bruce

April 11 2025: reply from Allegra Spender's office

Dear Ian,

Thank you for writing to Allegra about the conflict in the Middle East. We apologise for the delay in responding to your email. As you will understand we have received a very significant increase in emails since the election was called and we are working hard to reply to them all as quickly as possible.

Allegra has been devastated to witness the loss of civilian life in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon over the past seventeen months. With the collapse of the ceasefire, more and more innocent people continue to suffer.

Allegra believes that Australia and the international community must do what we can to achieve an end to this conflict and secure lasting peace.

We have provided Allegra’s latest statement on this issue below.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this.

******

"The breakdown of the ceasefire is devastating and the continued suffering in the Middle East is heartbreaking. Far too many lives continue to be lost, and the damage to infrastructure and entire communities is immense.

I strongly support calls for a return to ceasefire and a hostage deal in Gaza. All efforts must be focussed on ensuring Hamas and Israel agree terms that allow the release of hostages and a permanent cessation of hostilities.

It is essential that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza and more must be done to ensure that life saving food and medical supplies get to the people who need it. I have previously written to the Government to urge them to provide more aid to the region, and to ensure that critical assistance is provided to both Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages. I welcome Australia’s recent announcement to provide an additional $4 million to Project Rozana, an organisation which provides healthcare in the region, and the Australian government’s call for unimpeded and sustained humanitarian aid.

It is still my firm belief that a two-state solution is the best chance to ensure the dignity, safety, and security of Israeli and Palestinians alike. For lasting peace in the Middle East, Palestinians and Israelis need to be able to live in their own states side by side. This was my position before October 7, and it remains so now. Palestinians must have the right to self determination and to live in their own lands. I utterly reject President Trump’s plan of a takeover of Gaza and displacement of Palestinian people.

It is also very important to me that division, such as that which has wrought such havoc in the region, does not take root in our communities. While people may have differing views on this conflict, I have been working hard to ensure we maintain our social cohesion, and Australia continues to be a place where everyone is safe and welcome."

Warm regards
Sharon

Constituent Liaison Team
Office of Allegra Spender MP
Member for Wentworth

 

 

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