Australian politics

What has changed ? By GDL
22 September 2016

It is now one year since Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister and three months already since the general elections. To be honest, I am at pain to see what concretely Malcolm and his government has achieved since then. There has been lots of talking, then the budget speech, but no signs of reforms and  people are not better off nor have they felt any change in their day to day living. Have you ?
The results of the elections were far from brilliant for Malcolm Turnbull as his coalition lost many seats and he is now ruling with a majority of only one!!! He and his government are on a knife's edge. Malcolm Turnbull said that he would be different from Tony Abbott and that he will lead the country on new economic path. " This country needs a new economic leadership" he said. Where are that new ways, new strategies or new policies? The budget, presented by the superstar Scott Morrison, is still in limbo and not sure of passing through the senate. Lately government had to back off on their ironclad superannuation policy under pressure from their own backbenchers  and the opposition. Each and every policy or measure announced in the budget has now to be negotiated with the opposition and the senate crossbenchers.
What has really changed is that voters showed their disapproval for mainstream parties like Liberal and Labour and turned to smaller parties like Pauline Hanson and Nick Xenophon. What has really changed is that most people in Australia disapproved the way Labor and Liberal are giving in to Muslims. They are afraid to talk openly against Islam and the Islamists and are embedded in political correctness. Such a pathetic and weak stance from the major parties have turned voters to far right wing and populists parties. When Malcolm Turnbull invited the Muslims for dinner at the lodge, among them were some radicals who have spoken against our democracy, the right of women , gays and lesbians. On that night, which was before the elections, in trying to attract Muslim votes, the Coalition lost 600,000 votes in Queensland and many more in other states. A poll released this week showed that 49 percent of Australians want a ban on Muslim immigration. This proves that what Pauline Hanson has been advocating during the elections has found resonance with the Australians.
On the economic front, since the Liberals came to power, the deficit has increased. The rating agencies have warned that if there is no serious repairs to the budget bottom line Australia risks to lose its AAA credit rating. This has sent the alarm bell to our leaders and politicians as right now we a paying close a  billion dollars in interest payment. If we lose our AAA rating the cost of borrowing will be much higher. So where are the reforms? Where are the repairs to the budget and strategy to reduce the deficit ? Where will the savings coming from and where will the revenues coming from? Your guess is as good as mine if you follow closely the political narratives.
The price of commodities like iron ore are stumbling and our current account deficit increasing. Where is the path to a new economic future, the economic revolution of Mr Turnbull ? The innovative and technological economic challenge that we will overcome ? It's all talk and no action. It is all about the blame game, excuses, procrastinations, reviews etc... It is all politics and political games.

Mr Turnbull, you have not turned the economic bull around you are rather turning in circle. When will you start governing ?
GDL.