Electoral reforms in Rodrigues
by GDL
Many, mainly for the OPR side, were shocked when the Electoral Commission proclaimed the final results of the 2013 Rodrigues Regional Elections. The OPR won the first round of the elections by electing eight candidates at the First Past the Post and the MR had four elected candidates; the margin is 8-4 = 4 but after the proportional votes were added on, the majority of the OPR was reduced to one. This cause an outcry from the majority party but the results were formal and in line with the RRA Act 2002. Serge Clair was furious as well as his team where as the FPR rejoiced that they managed to get two of the candidates in the RR Assembly through the proportional system and none through the FPP, The MR also made gains under the proportional representation and became the main opposition party. Protests from the OPR failed as the Electoral Commissioner had acted according to the law.
Following the results the OPR was asked to form the RRA government with a reduced majority of one. Against all odds the OPR held on but always with the fear that if one of his members could defect they could lose government. The fear was also that one from the majority be bought out or offered money or an important position and consequently OPR would lose power. Luckily the members of the OPR are very discipline, no one crossed the floor.
However, at his last visit, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, SAJ, raised the question and expressed his disagreement with the proportional system, supporting Serge Clair. He even promised that he will amend the RRA Act through parliament. This was music to the ears of Serge Clair but not to the taste of Paul Berenger and still less for the FPR. This statement of PM prompted a debate around the question of PR. Nicholas Vonmally, leader of the MR agreed that it is time to review the system and Johnson Roussety vehemently opposed any change as he knows quite well that his party has no chance of electing candidates under the FPP.
Having heard all the comments and proposals I dare to submit own:
The RRA should be composed of 15 members.
1. I agree the the FPP system has its weaknesses when a candidate ca be elected with less than 50% but that Westminster system has worked in many democracies and always gave a clear result and majority.
2. The full proportional system, like in Israel, has its merits but can be very complicated.
3. The two party preference of Australia is also complicated as it is a combination of FPP and the two round system at one vote.
3. The two rounds system like France works to give a candidate a majority of 50%.
Rodrigues under the RRA Act 2002 has a combination of FFP and proportional system which gave the results we saw and consequences explained above.
So what electoral system for Rodrigues ?
I propose 12 elected from FPP and 3 from a reserved party list = 15.
1. It is very dangerous to divide Rodrigues into six wards or more as a small ward can be subject to corruption and pork barrelling. Votes can be bought and this is very bad for democracy.
2. If only the FFP is applied in the six wards it can be 6-6 and who won ? This is where the legislators added the PR to give advantage to the party who had the most votes. But there is no need for an additional party vote. The party with the most overall votes received should be declared winner, no matter which ward the candidates come from.
3. So I suggest that Rodrigues be divided in three larger ward with four elected candidates in each ward. 3 is an odd number the probability of equality is minimised.
One party can win between 1 and 12 same for the other parties.
4. Yes there is the possibility of 6 candidates being elected from each two parties or in a thee legged 4+2 against 6.
5. Again the electoral Commissioner will allocated the 3 candidates to the party which has the most votes. So 6 becomes 9 v/s 6 giving a clear majority to the winning party on FPP.
My second option is to have a full proportional vote like in Israel, This is good for a small country like Rodrigues. Each party has a list of 15 candidates and the party which wins the majority wins but can lose if he opposition parties make a post electoral coalition. But the majority party can govern with the support of smaller parties who had won at least 10% of the votes.
I am submitting this to Dr Rama Sithanen to see what he thinks.
GDL
George at Studio 2GLF 89.3 fm
Broadcasting Emission Kontak
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
The International Creole day : The 28th Of October
The International Creole day
by GDL
Today 28th October is the International Creole day as proclaimed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation. It is the highest form of a recognition of our Creole culture. Since that proclamation the world now knows that we exist as a people with a specific cultural identity. This recognition of our culture and language by UNESCO did not arrive by pure chance or hazard, it is the fruit of a long battle by creole academics, militants and politicians. The process started many years ago by academics of the Caribbean like Aime Cesaire, Edouard Glissant and Gilbert Gratiant and later taken over by Raphael Confiant, Jean Bernabe, Patrick Chamoiseau, Felix Lambert Prudent, Hector Poulet, Dany Laferiere, Rodolf Etienne. Creole academics like Gilbert Martin,Terrel Delphin, and The Creole Heritage Centre of Louisiana have also militate for their recognition as Creoles of the USA.
In the Indian Ocean, the Republic of the Seychelles took the lead when President Albert Rene renamed the Seychelles "The Creole Republic of the Seychelles". The right hand person who organised the meetings of the representatives of the Creole world was Mrs D'Offay/ de St Jorre. She should be remembered as the Ambassador of the Creole world towards International Agencies like Agence de Cooperation Culturel et Technique and the UNESCO.
Since 1982 there has been regular meetings in the Seychelles of academics, creolists, linguists, militants, artists, authors, cineastres, etc...and the organisation of an International Creole Festival with artists for the Creole world. These meeting and cultural activities made echo around the world through intense media coverage. Gradually people of the creole world were getting to know more of each other, what they share in common and expressed the desire to move forward as a people who share the same culture. With such a momentum, books and literature from the creole world proliferated and received more coverage as more and more meetings of the Creole people were organised in different parts of the Creole countries. We also saw the emergence of creole diasporas in countries like USA, Canada, France and Australia.
In La Reunion people like Alain Armand, Axel Gauvin,Mgr Gilbert Aubry and Jacqueline Fareyrole were talking more and more about the creole culture and its importance in the island.
In Rodrigies the pioneers who nurtured the creole culture were Georgy Lamvohee, Noel Allas and Antoinette Prudence doing much to value the Rodriguan Creole culture. Serge Clair should also be credited for organising International Creole Festivals where the Rodriguan creoles started to know more about their counterparts in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.
In Mauritius the combat was at the beginning more focussed on the recognition of the Creole language led by people like Dev Virasawmy and Vinesh Homooksing, Arnaud Corporan. But the Creole culture as such was more pushed forward by Jean Maurice Labour, Jimmy Harmon, Jocelyn Gregoire. Minister Xaxier Luc Duval, should be praised by taking the lead to organise a yearly Festival International Creole in Mauritius while the Seychelles and Rodrigues have been doing if for years.
The Creole Diasporas, composed mainly of Haitians have also been very vocal by organising a yearly Creole month in Montreal with the backing of the Quebec Government. Many academics have also emerged from Haiti.
Today Creole people are found in many parts of the world, in the islands of the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean as well as in Europe, USA, Latin America, Cuba, Brazil, Canada, Australia. They are proud to have brought a new culture and civilisation to the world and thus enriching the planet with a their food, their architecture, their language, their way of life, their music and dances. The Creole people have a history; from a culture which was born during the colonisation era, a culture born on the plantations, a culture born in sufferings but which has developed into a new, dynamic, rich and modern one which keeps on rolling.
We are creoles and proud to be.
by GDL
Today 28th October is the International Creole day as proclaimed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation. It is the highest form of a recognition of our Creole culture. Since that proclamation the world now knows that we exist as a people with a specific cultural identity. This recognition of our culture and language by UNESCO did not arrive by pure chance or hazard, it is the fruit of a long battle by creole academics, militants and politicians. The process started many years ago by academics of the Caribbean like Aime Cesaire, Edouard Glissant and Gilbert Gratiant and later taken over by Raphael Confiant, Jean Bernabe, Patrick Chamoiseau, Felix Lambert Prudent, Hector Poulet, Dany Laferiere, Rodolf Etienne. Creole academics like Gilbert Martin,Terrel Delphin, and The Creole Heritage Centre of Louisiana have also militate for their recognition as Creoles of the USA.
In the Indian Ocean, the Republic of the Seychelles took the lead when President Albert Rene renamed the Seychelles "The Creole Republic of the Seychelles". The right hand person who organised the meetings of the representatives of the Creole world was Mrs D'Offay/ de St Jorre. She should be remembered as the Ambassador of the Creole world towards International Agencies like Agence de Cooperation Culturel et Technique and the UNESCO.
Since 1982 there has been regular meetings in the Seychelles of academics, creolists, linguists, militants, artists, authors, cineastres, etc...and the organisation of an International Creole Festival with artists for the Creole world. These meeting and cultural activities made echo around the world through intense media coverage. Gradually people of the creole world were getting to know more of each other, what they share in common and expressed the desire to move forward as a people who share the same culture. With such a momentum, books and literature from the creole world proliferated and received more coverage as more and more meetings of the Creole people were organised in different parts of the Creole countries. We also saw the emergence of creole diasporas in countries like USA, Canada, France and Australia.
In La Reunion people like Alain Armand, Axel Gauvin,Mgr Gilbert Aubry and Jacqueline Fareyrole were talking more and more about the creole culture and its importance in the island.
In Rodrigies the pioneers who nurtured the creole culture were Georgy Lamvohee, Noel Allas and Antoinette Prudence doing much to value the Rodriguan Creole culture. Serge Clair should also be credited for organising International Creole Festivals where the Rodriguan creoles started to know more about their counterparts in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.
In Mauritius the combat was at the beginning more focussed on the recognition of the Creole language led by people like Dev Virasawmy and Vinesh Homooksing, Arnaud Corporan. But the Creole culture as such was more pushed forward by Jean Maurice Labour, Jimmy Harmon, Jocelyn Gregoire. Minister Xaxier Luc Duval, should be praised by taking the lead to organise a yearly Festival International Creole in Mauritius while the Seychelles and Rodrigues have been doing if for years.
The Creole Diasporas, composed mainly of Haitians have also been very vocal by organising a yearly Creole month in Montreal with the backing of the Quebec Government. Many academics have also emerged from Haiti.
Today Creole people are found in many parts of the world, in the islands of the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean as well as in Europe, USA, Latin America, Cuba, Brazil, Canada, Australia. They are proud to have brought a new culture and civilisation to the world and thus enriching the planet with a their food, their architecture, their language, their way of life, their music and dances. The Creole people have a history; from a culture which was born during the colonisation era, a culture born on the plantations, a culture born in sufferings but which has developed into a new, dynamic, rich and modern one which keeps on rolling.
We are creoles and proud to be.
Friday, 23 October 2015
Australian Politics : We have a new Prime Minister
How Malcolm turned the bull around
by GDL
At the last elections the people of Australia chose to throw the Labor Party out of power and by default Tony Abbott became Prime Minister of Australia. Although having been a very good opposition leader, not many people liked Tony Abbott, some even hated him but voted for the Liberal party at the last general elections because they were fed up with Rudd, Gillard and...Bill Shorten. Tony Abbott was disliked as he was arrogant, a conservative and very right winger. Some would even say that ideologically he is on the far right and no different to Pauline Hanson. If difference there is ,Tony is more smart. Presenting the 2014 budget measures Joe Hockey became the most hatred politician in the land for his attacks on the working class, the students, the pensioners, families, the unemployed, the working class while favouring the big end of town. As Tony Abbott fully supported his Treasurer, he also shared the hatred from the Australian people and the media did not spare him neither. In fact Tony Abbott, who has never been popular, was worse as a PM. He was not even popular within his own party The Liberals!!!. While he survived a first revolt some months back, some weeks ago his party got rid of him and replaced him by Malcolm Turnbull. The party did the right thing as the government under Tony Abbott was very unpopular and was sure, according to the polls, of losing at next year's general elections.
Malcolm Turnbull is a very rich man who worked hard in life to build his wealth. He was deposed as leader of the Liberals by Tony Abbott and deposing Tony Abbot as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberals was a sweet revenge. However, Malcolm Turnbull has never been arrogant and has always been close to the people and sympathetic to the cause of the working class and the middle class. Despite being a capitalist, Malcolm through his simplicity, has always talked sense. He is even popular among the Labor voters so much that many would wish he was a member of their party and would have wanted him as leader of the Labor Party. As he always been close to the people, a republican and a non-conservative, the right wingers of the Liberals do not like him and call him a man of the left. Among these ultra conservatives are Andrew Bolt, Ray Adley, Alan Jones, R Dean, Cory Berbardy who are admirers of Tony Abbott and now doing everything to undermine the Prime Ministership of Malcolm Turnbull. Some are even thinking of establishing a Conservative Party to protect the "values" of the conservatives which are extreme rights values to my analysis.
Since the change of Prime Minister, the people of Australia from all walks of live are seeing a change of style of leadership, a new and simple PM, a man of the people at the head of government. Even those who are hard core labor voters are now showing sympathy for Malcolm and much prefer him to their actual leader Bill Shorten. The rating of Malcolm as preferred Prime Minister is as high as 68% which is quite significant. Malcolm and his new look cabinet of Ministers, which excludes Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey (of course), as well as some old farts, is a new start and give new hope to the people of Australia. More women are now in Cabinet which is a positive recognising the merit of women like Kelly O'Dwyer and Marise Pierce. Julie Bishop is no more alone as before in the boy's club of Mikey Mouse and Donald Duck. Already Malcolm is communicating better to the people and his minsters are also adopting a new style far from being arrogant. Even Christopher Pierce is mo more riding on his high horses as he used to do. Malcolm Turnbull is gradually bringing the government from a right wing position to the middle and governing for the mainstream, more of a social democracy ideology. How much will be be successful remains to be seen while facing resistance from conservatives of the Liberal Party.
Looking at the polls, it is clear that the change of PM has put the Labor party from a winning position to a very difficult situation. The 2014 budget of Tony Abbott has turned many voters away from the Liberal party and the government but today many are confused because we have a very popular PM coming from a party which normally do not like the middle and working class, a party which favours their rich friends and espousing the right wing ideology. The confusion is also in the fact that Bill Shorten is not popular with the Australian people and neither in his own party.
The question for the Australian voters is whether they will chose between Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten or they will vote for the party which will be more sympathetic to their cause with better and more progressive policies ?
by GDL
At the last elections the people of Australia chose to throw the Labor Party out of power and by default Tony Abbott became Prime Minister of Australia. Although having been a very good opposition leader, not many people liked Tony Abbott, some even hated him but voted for the Liberal party at the last general elections because they were fed up with Rudd, Gillard and...Bill Shorten. Tony Abbott was disliked as he was arrogant, a conservative and very right winger. Some would even say that ideologically he is on the far right and no different to Pauline Hanson. If difference there is ,Tony is more smart. Presenting the 2014 budget measures Joe Hockey became the most hatred politician in the land for his attacks on the working class, the students, the pensioners, families, the unemployed, the working class while favouring the big end of town. As Tony Abbott fully supported his Treasurer, he also shared the hatred from the Australian people and the media did not spare him neither. In fact Tony Abbott, who has never been popular, was worse as a PM. He was not even popular within his own party The Liberals!!!. While he survived a first revolt some months back, some weeks ago his party got rid of him and replaced him by Malcolm Turnbull. The party did the right thing as the government under Tony Abbott was very unpopular and was sure, according to the polls, of losing at next year's general elections.
Malcolm Turnbull is a very rich man who worked hard in life to build his wealth. He was deposed as leader of the Liberals by Tony Abbott and deposing Tony Abbot as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberals was a sweet revenge. However, Malcolm Turnbull has never been arrogant and has always been close to the people and sympathetic to the cause of the working class and the middle class. Despite being a capitalist, Malcolm through his simplicity, has always talked sense. He is even popular among the Labor voters so much that many would wish he was a member of their party and would have wanted him as leader of the Labor Party. As he always been close to the people, a republican and a non-conservative, the right wingers of the Liberals do not like him and call him a man of the left. Among these ultra conservatives are Andrew Bolt, Ray Adley, Alan Jones, R Dean, Cory Berbardy who are admirers of Tony Abbott and now doing everything to undermine the Prime Ministership of Malcolm Turnbull. Some are even thinking of establishing a Conservative Party to protect the "values" of the conservatives which are extreme rights values to my analysis.
Since the change of Prime Minister, the people of Australia from all walks of live are seeing a change of style of leadership, a new and simple PM, a man of the people at the head of government. Even those who are hard core labor voters are now showing sympathy for Malcolm and much prefer him to their actual leader Bill Shorten. The rating of Malcolm as preferred Prime Minister is as high as 68% which is quite significant. Malcolm and his new look cabinet of Ministers, which excludes Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey (of course), as well as some old farts, is a new start and give new hope to the people of Australia. More women are now in Cabinet which is a positive recognising the merit of women like Kelly O'Dwyer and Marise Pierce. Julie Bishop is no more alone as before in the boy's club of Mikey Mouse and Donald Duck. Already Malcolm is communicating better to the people and his minsters are also adopting a new style far from being arrogant. Even Christopher Pierce is mo more riding on his high horses as he used to do. Malcolm Turnbull is gradually bringing the government from a right wing position to the middle and governing for the mainstream, more of a social democracy ideology. How much will be be successful remains to be seen while facing resistance from conservatives of the Liberal Party.
Looking at the polls, it is clear that the change of PM has put the Labor party from a winning position to a very difficult situation. The 2014 budget of Tony Abbott has turned many voters away from the Liberal party and the government but today many are confused because we have a very popular PM coming from a party which normally do not like the middle and working class, a party which favours their rich friends and espousing the right wing ideology. The confusion is also in the fact that Bill Shorten is not popular with the Australian people and neither in his own party.
The question for the Australian voters is whether they will chose between Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten or they will vote for the party which will be more sympathetic to their cause with better and more progressive policies ?
Monday, 10 August 2015
Australian Politics
Bronwyn now gone, what next ?
By GDL.
After having been under pressure and in damage control for weeks, the Liberals finally gave way and get Bronwyn to vacate the seat of speaker. The departure (or sacking) of that old fart, Bronwyn, saved Tony Abbott and his party from disaster. It was a such relief for Tony Abbott and his government.
But it was also a relief for the parliamentarians of the Labor Party because, Bronwyn has been so bias and partisan to the extent of throwing them out of the chamber for standing up to her. The old woman, Bronwyn, threw members of the Labor Party out of parliament 400 times. She also never listened to their griefs and disregarded their points of order. She was not worthy of the title of Speaker who, once in the chair, should be above party lines.To add insult to injury she was lavishly spending taxpayers' money on her extravagant travels and enjoyments. It is now rumoured that she will not event contest the next elections !!
Now there is a new speaker Tony Smith, who made a sober speech on his first day, and there are promising signs that he would be better speaker. The eyes and ears are now turning to the government and the opposition and their long awaited policies for the future of Australia. What can we expect ?
The coalition government seems to have exhausted their ammunitions and cannot come back again with their policies/slogans of the past elections of turning back the boats and repealing the carbon tax. Neither can they come back talking about budget repairs and deficit as they have got a bad situation worse (to use the words of Donal Duck). The deficit is now bigger than when they took office, iron ore price slumping, unemployment on the rise, growth is lower than what they forecast but they are still spending and ignoring that there is a revenue problem.They are burning what they adored. They do not want to talk about increasing the GST and now talking about reducing income tax !!! Actually, as Paul Kelly said, no one is listening to the broken records of Joe Hockey; and the finance minister, Mathias Corman, is struggling to explain the economics whenever he faces the media. On what platforms will the coalition go to the next elections is any body's guest.
What about the Labor party of Mr Bill Shorten ? First Bill is short of being a fiscal conservative. His economic credentials leaves much to be desired. He is still not telling us whether he intends to repair the budget and raise revenue. Instead he is talking about spending more on Education, Health and Social Services. For the last elections Australians kicked Labor in the arse for their idiosyncrasies, inconsistencies, shortcomings and inner bickerings, which gave us, by default, a coalition government and Tony Abbott as PM. What will happen next year, which party to vote for in its own right ? The Liberals will not have a Labor government to blame and will have to campaign on their success and what they have done well while in government. But what are these positives ? What will be their new policies and will people believe in the new promises since they broke all their promises while in office ? Will Joe Hockey still be around to smoke his cigar after presenting a f.... budget ? Will Scott Morrisson be in the forefront during the campaign and presented as the next treasurer of even the future PM ? Will that be enough to save the government ?
On the Labor's side, will people forget the killing years of Rudd and Gillard and how they turned voters away from the party ? Will people forgive them for their alliance with the Greens which gave us the infamous carbon tax ? Will the Labor Party be presenting a new and clean Labor ? Is Bill Shorten not too short of convincing arguments and policies to obtain the trust of the voters ? Can Labor win back its traditional voters i.e the bulk of the working class, unemployed, migrants, students, pensioners, battlers, and the middle class who have been victims of the coalition government ? Can Bill Shorten win the argument of climate change and the introduction of an ETS ? Will they attract Green voters with their promise of "le marriage pour tous" ? Can they get back those who were against boats arrivals with their "me too" policy ?
These are questions that will face the voters next year but for the time being the answers, my friend, are blowing in the wind.
GDL.
By GDL.
After having been under pressure and in damage control for weeks, the Liberals finally gave way and get Bronwyn to vacate the seat of speaker. The departure (or sacking) of that old fart, Bronwyn, saved Tony Abbott and his party from disaster. It was a such relief for Tony Abbott and his government.
But it was also a relief for the parliamentarians of the Labor Party because, Bronwyn has been so bias and partisan to the extent of throwing them out of the chamber for standing up to her. The old woman, Bronwyn, threw members of the Labor Party out of parliament 400 times. She also never listened to their griefs and disregarded their points of order. She was not worthy of the title of Speaker who, once in the chair, should be above party lines.To add insult to injury she was lavishly spending taxpayers' money on her extravagant travels and enjoyments. It is now rumoured that she will not event contest the next elections !!
Now there is a new speaker Tony Smith, who made a sober speech on his first day, and there are promising signs that he would be better speaker. The eyes and ears are now turning to the government and the opposition and their long awaited policies for the future of Australia. What can we expect ?
The coalition government seems to have exhausted their ammunitions and cannot come back again with their policies/slogans of the past elections of turning back the boats and repealing the carbon tax. Neither can they come back talking about budget repairs and deficit as they have got a bad situation worse (to use the words of Donal Duck). The deficit is now bigger than when they took office, iron ore price slumping, unemployment on the rise, growth is lower than what they forecast but they are still spending and ignoring that there is a revenue problem.They are burning what they adored. They do not want to talk about increasing the GST and now talking about reducing income tax !!! Actually, as Paul Kelly said, no one is listening to the broken records of Joe Hockey; and the finance minister, Mathias Corman, is struggling to explain the economics whenever he faces the media. On what platforms will the coalition go to the next elections is any body's guest.
What about the Labor party of Mr Bill Shorten ? First Bill is short of being a fiscal conservative. His economic credentials leaves much to be desired. He is still not telling us whether he intends to repair the budget and raise revenue. Instead he is talking about spending more on Education, Health and Social Services. For the last elections Australians kicked Labor in the arse for their idiosyncrasies, inconsistencies, shortcomings and inner bickerings, which gave us, by default, a coalition government and Tony Abbott as PM. What will happen next year, which party to vote for in its own right ? The Liberals will not have a Labor government to blame and will have to campaign on their success and what they have done well while in government. But what are these positives ? What will be their new policies and will people believe in the new promises since they broke all their promises while in office ? Will Joe Hockey still be around to smoke his cigar after presenting a f.... budget ? Will Scott Morrisson be in the forefront during the campaign and presented as the next treasurer of even the future PM ? Will that be enough to save the government ?
On the Labor's side, will people forget the killing years of Rudd and Gillard and how they turned voters away from the party ? Will people forgive them for their alliance with the Greens which gave us the infamous carbon tax ? Will the Labor Party be presenting a new and clean Labor ? Is Bill Shorten not too short of convincing arguments and policies to obtain the trust of the voters ? Can Labor win back its traditional voters i.e the bulk of the working class, unemployed, migrants, students, pensioners, battlers, and the middle class who have been victims of the coalition government ? Can Bill Shorten win the argument of climate change and the introduction of an ETS ? Will they attract Green voters with their promise of "le marriage pour tous" ? Can they get back those who were against boats arrivals with their "me too" policy ?
These are questions that will face the voters next year but for the time being the answers, my friend, are blowing in the wind.
GDL.
Thursday, 30 July 2015
How Bronwyn Bishop derailed Tony Abbott's plan
How Bronwyn Bishop derailed Tony Abbott's plan,
by GDL.
As written some weeks back, the government second budget had a smelt of elections in the air. After the "sweet" budget of the Liberal government, all polls showed that the budget was well received by the voters. It was a budget that was devoid of any philosophy and did not line up a plan for the for the middle or long term future of Australia. It is the same people who, in their first year, said that Australia needs dractic reforms to secure our future. The reforms proposed in the first budget were abandoned as they were so unpopular. But as Paul Kelly put it,on Richo and Jones last Tuesday, it was simply the case that they did not have the right people to sell the reforms. Paul Kelly went further in saying that Hawke and Keating were formidable, Howard and Costello were good, but since then t we have had a bunch of amateurs who have no credible social and economic plans for the country.
After the second budget, the ratings of the government and Tony Abbott went up and the Liberals felt confident that they were on track to win the next general elections. While the government was enjoying the honey mood with the voters, came the documentary" the Killing Years" which highlighted the shortcomings and bitter internal quarrels within the last Labor government between the camps of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. The misfortunes of Labor was compounded by Bill Shorten being in all sort of trouble with his dealings while he was the head of the construction union. He later appeared before the Commission of Enquiry into the unions and came out badly scratched.
Tony Abbott and the Liberals were on the moon so much so that it was rumoured that there would be a snap elections before parliament resumes. No journalist or political commentator was surprised about this "rumour" as it was probably a good strategical tactic from Tony Abbott at a time when the Labor party was on the ground.
But surprise surprise a week is a long time in politics when suddenly came the news of Bronwyn Bishop helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong, paid by taxpayers to attend...a liberal party fund raising !! This news spread like a veld fire taken up by all the media across the country. This was portrayed as a big scandal when the battlers are paying their fair share of tax wasted by Bronwyn Bishop who could easily have used her official car for this short trip. The extravaganza of Bronwyn Bishop also surfaced when she spent some $11,000 for a trip in Europe traveling in Limousine and drinking the most expensive champagne, all this paid by Australian taxpayers. Suddenly the table turned on the government and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott was under immense pressure to sack the speaker for her lavish spending at the expense of taxpayers' money. Tony Abbott resisted to the call for the sacking the speaker. Meanwhile social media went frenzy against the government and towards a speaker who has shown so much bias and partiality in parliament. Even the pro-government right wing media could not find excuse for Bronwyn's scandalous spending. No need to be a Labor supporter to notice during parliament questions and debate live, how obvious Browyn Bishop leans so much on the side of the government and threw out Labor party members for 400 times.
Bill Shorten and the Labor party could not believe their luck when Bronwyn scandals broke out, and so they kept hammering Tony Abbott to sack Browyn Bishop. The latter was apparently forced by the PM to apologize and pay back the money with the penalty imposed. The misfortunes of the lady speaker were not going to go away as other lavish spending were uncovered to attend a friend's (sophie Mirabella) wedding in Albury, paid by taxpayers. Once more no excuse could be found again to save Bronwyn and counter the attack of the opposition and the medias. Noone in the government ranks could say that Browyn was right but rather distanced themselves from her. Tony Abbott for his part put Bronwyn on probation!!! But up to today, at the time of writing, the media are still talking about Browyn's scandals and it does not seem to go away so soon. There is even a popular petition going around for her resignation. Last night on ABC lateline, the maverick Clive Palmer also asked for the resignation of Browyn Bishop and added that if Tony Abbott does not act he will face the electors with this scandal in the next elections.
So this is how Browyn Bishop derailed the plans of Tony Abbott and the Liberals to go to an early elections which they were sure of winning. Adding insult to injury, last week Bill Shorten came out of the Labor party stronger than before with the policies of turning back the boats, the ETS and a marriage equality again putting undue pressure on Tony Abbott and his weakened government.
GDL
In my next blog I will analyse Bill Shorten and the Labor party's weaknesses.
by GDL.
As written some weeks back, the government second budget had a smelt of elections in the air. After the "sweet" budget of the Liberal government, all polls showed that the budget was well received by the voters. It was a budget that was devoid of any philosophy and did not line up a plan for the for the middle or long term future of Australia. It is the same people who, in their first year, said that Australia needs dractic reforms to secure our future. The reforms proposed in the first budget were abandoned as they were so unpopular. But as Paul Kelly put it,on Richo and Jones last Tuesday, it was simply the case that they did not have the right people to sell the reforms. Paul Kelly went further in saying that Hawke and Keating were formidable, Howard and Costello were good, but since then t we have had a bunch of amateurs who have no credible social and economic plans for the country.
After the second budget, the ratings of the government and Tony Abbott went up and the Liberals felt confident that they were on track to win the next general elections. While the government was enjoying the honey mood with the voters, came the documentary" the Killing Years" which highlighted the shortcomings and bitter internal quarrels within the last Labor government between the camps of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. The misfortunes of Labor was compounded by Bill Shorten being in all sort of trouble with his dealings while he was the head of the construction union. He later appeared before the Commission of Enquiry into the unions and came out badly scratched.
Tony Abbott and the Liberals were on the moon so much so that it was rumoured that there would be a snap elections before parliament resumes. No journalist or political commentator was surprised about this "rumour" as it was probably a good strategical tactic from Tony Abbott at a time when the Labor party was on the ground.
But surprise surprise a week is a long time in politics when suddenly came the news of Bronwyn Bishop helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong, paid by taxpayers to attend...a liberal party fund raising !! This news spread like a veld fire taken up by all the media across the country. This was portrayed as a big scandal when the battlers are paying their fair share of tax wasted by Bronwyn Bishop who could easily have used her official car for this short trip. The extravaganza of Bronwyn Bishop also surfaced when she spent some $11,000 for a trip in Europe traveling in Limousine and drinking the most expensive champagne, all this paid by Australian taxpayers. Suddenly the table turned on the government and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott was under immense pressure to sack the speaker for her lavish spending at the expense of taxpayers' money. Tony Abbott resisted to the call for the sacking the speaker. Meanwhile social media went frenzy against the government and towards a speaker who has shown so much bias and partiality in parliament. Even the pro-government right wing media could not find excuse for Bronwyn's scandalous spending. No need to be a Labor supporter to notice during parliament questions and debate live, how obvious Browyn Bishop leans so much on the side of the government and threw out Labor party members for 400 times.
Bill Shorten and the Labor party could not believe their luck when Bronwyn scandals broke out, and so they kept hammering Tony Abbott to sack Browyn Bishop. The latter was apparently forced by the PM to apologize and pay back the money with the penalty imposed. The misfortunes of the lady speaker were not going to go away as other lavish spending were uncovered to attend a friend's (sophie Mirabella) wedding in Albury, paid by taxpayers. Once more no excuse could be found again to save Bronwyn and counter the attack of the opposition and the medias. Noone in the government ranks could say that Browyn was right but rather distanced themselves from her. Tony Abbott for his part put Bronwyn on probation!!! But up to today, at the time of writing, the media are still talking about Browyn's scandals and it does not seem to go away so soon. There is even a popular petition going around for her resignation. Last night on ABC lateline, the maverick Clive Palmer also asked for the resignation of Browyn Bishop and added that if Tony Abbott does not act he will face the electors with this scandal in the next elections.
So this is how Browyn Bishop derailed the plans of Tony Abbott and the Liberals to go to an early elections which they were sure of winning. Adding insult to injury, last week Bill Shorten came out of the Labor party stronger than before with the policies of turning back the boats, the ETS and a marriage equality again putting undue pressure on Tony Abbott and his weakened government.
GDL
In my next blog I will analyse Bill Shorten and the Labor party's weaknesses.
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
The reforms Australia needs (first part)
The reforms Australia really needs, by GDL
Those who have read The Patriots by Paul Kelly would agree that the reforms which occurred under the Hawke/Keating government were very brave, intelligent and have been a landmark in Australian politics. Paul Kelly, one of the most respected journalist in Australia, who usually makes informed and objective analysis of the policies and politics in Australia, praised these reforms in his book. Paul Kelly is now an editor at large and you can see him on Australian agenda with Peter van Olsen on Sundays on Sky News at 8.30 a.m.
For those who follow politics closely in Australia, I do not need to elaborate on these reforms, among which were: deregulation of the banking system, floating the Australia dollar, introduction of compulsory superannuation, Medicare, privatisation, etc...These reforms were not necessarily popular, but Bob and Paul had the guts to implement them as they believe they were good for the country and its future. Even the Liberals today praise these reforms as it was on these reforms that the Howard/Costello government built on to bring the country even further into the prosperous years.
Howard and Costello did not make changes to these reforms but, as we were then into a boom, they became very generous and distributed the surplus to the people by way of big tax cuts, baby bonus, generous superannuation tax concessions, easy student visas, increase migration intake and more refugees were allowed in the country as business was also booming. It is true that when the Howard and the coalition left government the coffins were full, with a budget surplus of some 50 billions and an infrastructure fund with billions. It is this very reserve that Kevin Rudd depleted, having no other choice (according to him!) as Australia faced the Global Financial Crisis, under what was called the Emergency policy or the Stimulus package. Money was thrown around by Rudd in forms of cheques to taxpayers,( even to those who were dead and have gone back to their countries); the school building revolution was more of an abuse by contracters who inflated the cost beyond imagination and the Insulation program (the pink bat) where amateurs, unskilled workers and indian students were involved, which later turned out to be a catastrophe causing death of 4 youngsters.
Julia Gillard, who knived Kevin Rudd and took over the country with a minority government, brought in some brave reforms like Gonski Education Review and the Diability Program but without showing the money. It must be admitted that they were also long awaited reforms but the implementaion was not well costed not well planned. At date Gonski is till pending wheras the Disability program is being implemented piece meal.
Tony Abbott and Big Joe in their first budget went franzy about some drastic reforms under "the budget emergency policy" and because Australians could no longer live beyound their means( Joe dixit). The reforms proposed by Tony and Joe were in areas of health, (copayment) social security (cuts to pensions), childcare, deregulation of university fees, pushing the age of retirement further, etc... The Liberals thinking that they were voted in with an overwhelming majority were expecting that these reforms would be welcomed by the polulation in the spirit of national interest and for the good of future genrations. Joe, the treasurer, argued much along these lines: "These are the reforms the country need otherwise we would be bankrupt as Greece."
Those who have read The Patriots by Paul Kelly would agree that the reforms which occurred under the Hawke/Keating government were very brave, intelligent and have been a landmark in Australian politics. Paul Kelly, one of the most respected journalist in Australia, who usually makes informed and objective analysis of the policies and politics in Australia, praised these reforms in his book. Paul Kelly is now an editor at large and you can see him on Australian agenda with Peter van Olsen on Sundays on Sky News at 8.30 a.m.
For those who follow politics closely in Australia, I do not need to elaborate on these reforms, among which were: deregulation of the banking system, floating the Australia dollar, introduction of compulsory superannuation, Medicare, privatisation, etc...These reforms were not necessarily popular, but Bob and Paul had the guts to implement them as they believe they were good for the country and its future. Even the Liberals today praise these reforms as it was on these reforms that the Howard/Costello government built on to bring the country even further into the prosperous years.
Howard and Costello did not make changes to these reforms but, as we were then into a boom, they became very generous and distributed the surplus to the people by way of big tax cuts, baby bonus, generous superannuation tax concessions, easy student visas, increase migration intake and more refugees were allowed in the country as business was also booming. It is true that when the Howard and the coalition left government the coffins were full, with a budget surplus of some 50 billions and an infrastructure fund with billions. It is this very reserve that Kevin Rudd depleted, having no other choice (according to him!) as Australia faced the Global Financial Crisis, under what was called the Emergency policy or the Stimulus package. Money was thrown around by Rudd in forms of cheques to taxpayers,( even to those who were dead and have gone back to their countries); the school building revolution was more of an abuse by contracters who inflated the cost beyond imagination and the Insulation program (the pink bat) where amateurs, unskilled workers and indian students were involved, which later turned out to be a catastrophe causing death of 4 youngsters.
Julia Gillard, who knived Kevin Rudd and took over the country with a minority government, brought in some brave reforms like Gonski Education Review and the Diability Program but without showing the money. It must be admitted that they were also long awaited reforms but the implementaion was not well costed not well planned. At date Gonski is till pending wheras the Disability program is being implemented piece meal.
Tony Abbott and Big Joe in their first budget went franzy about some drastic reforms under "the budget emergency policy" and because Australians could no longer live beyound their means( Joe dixit). The reforms proposed by Tony and Joe were in areas of health, (copayment) social security (cuts to pensions), childcare, deregulation of university fees, pushing the age of retirement further, etc... The Liberals thinking that they were voted in with an overwhelming majority were expecting that these reforms would be welcomed by the polulation in the spirit of national interest and for the good of future genrations. Joe, the treasurer, argued much along these lines: "These are the reforms the country need otherwise we would be bankrupt as Greece."
The days passed when a strong opposition built up against these proposed changes; first from the press, then from the labor opposition then for the pensioners, the university students, the working class, the sick, the mums and dads, and all those who these measures affected. On the other hand, gererosity was shown to the big end of town, to the rich women through the overgenerous maternity leave, cuts to company tax, abolition of carbon tax to big polluters. Even if some legislations did pass through the lower house, most were blocked by a senate where the coalition do not have a majority. The backlash went crescedo and the pressure was mounting on the elected members of the coalition where some were even receiving hostile reception in the constituancies. Joe Hockey was pictured as arrogant and cruel while Tony Abbott faced the strongest opposition for his backbenchers to the point of coming close to loosing his job of leader and PM.
So in their second budget, the goverment abandonned most of their reform policies and opted for the easy way out i.e to give the people what they want to hear. Scott Morrison was instrumental in preparing public opinion on what was to be a popular budget. This 180 degrees turn around and the abandonment the proposed reforms were seen by many, among whom the respected Paul Kelly, as saying goodbye to future reforms.
Many other credible reforms have been proposed outside the government ranks, from Ken Henry, from the productivity commission, from the Association of Super funds, from Macos, from the Business Council but all these look to be dead burried and cremated in the name of political gains. The last budget had a smell of elections in the air. In fact it is now rumoured that there could be a double disollution before parliament resumes.
Now that the reader has the background, I will enlist my proposed reforms in the next blog.Drastic reforms are also needed in Immigration, Tax, and many other areas for the good of Australia; one which I am realy passionate about is Agricultural reforms where I think the white paper has not addressed and how Australia can be the food bowl of Asia.
.
See you soon.
GDL.
So in their second budget, the goverment abandonned most of their reform policies and opted for the easy way out i.e to give the people what they want to hear. Scott Morrison was instrumental in preparing public opinion on what was to be a popular budget. This 180 degrees turn around and the abandonment the proposed reforms were seen by many, among whom the respected Paul Kelly, as saying goodbye to future reforms.
Many other credible reforms have been proposed outside the government ranks, from Ken Henry, from the productivity commission, from the Association of Super funds, from Macos, from the Business Council but all these look to be dead burried and cremated in the name of political gains. The last budget had a smell of elections in the air. In fact it is now rumoured that there could be a double disollution before parliament resumes.
Now that the reader has the background, I will enlist my proposed reforms in the next blog.Drastic reforms are also needed in Immigration, Tax, and many other areas for the good of Australia; one which I am realy passionate about is Agricultural reforms where I think the white paper has not addressed and how Australia can be the food bowl of Asia.
.
See you soon.
GDL.
Monday, 18 May 2015
Australian politics : un budget electoralist
A budget to grab votes
by GDL
The most obvious reactions from all corners after the presentation of this years' budget was, what a turn around !!! Indeed that reaction is legitimate in the way it contrasts with the last one presented by the fat man with the cigar as in now commonly known the Treasurer, Joe Hockey. Last year it was all about budget emergency, the deficit, that we cannot continue to live beyond our means, cut spending, it is all Labors' bad legacy, GP co-payment as medicare is under pressure, the welfare budget too was a big problem, so indexing the pensions, six months waiting period for new starters, deregulating university fees making student paying more for their degrees, increasing the HECs debt interest rate, while introducing generous paid parental leave for the rich women of the North shore and Tourack, putting pressure on families, the sick and targeting mostly those at the bottom of the social ladder as well as low and middle income families. The budget then was the true face of the Liberals who favours more the rich than the poor, which hates the welfare beneficiaries and university students as they are seen to be leftists or labour's heartland voters. They needed to be punished by bearing the biggest burden of economic reform and budget repairs. No doubt that last year's unfair budget was criticised by most journalists, analysts and commentators in the media so much so that the Libs were in turmoil and Tony Abbott came close of loosing the prime ministership. It was also a nightmare for the Treasurer who faced the wraft of the voters and virtually went into hiding. His position was, according to many, becoming untenable. He came close from being replaced by the rising star and super minister Scott Morrison.
This year's budget is more of a political document to attract voters and make them forget the bitter pill that was administered to the them last year. It was not a dull budget as we thought, but a budget which repaired the relationship between the voters and the government. It was a giveaway budget to attract voters by reducing tax for small business with other goodies, and generous to low and middle income families through child care benefits. The indexation of pensions was dropped instead pensioners with low assets will receive more and cut to high asset-owned pensioners and part pensioners. No change to superannuation meaning those with millions in their portfolio will continue to benefit from generous tax concessions. The GP co-payment dropped as well as the parental leave signature policy. It could also be termed a no tax budget.
The three measures above were the highlights and strong points of the Government's budget on which most voters focussed. The reaction did not take long and this week's poll put the government in a winning position and surprise, surprise, Tony Abbott is now the preferred Prime Minister!!!!. What a change of fortune for Donald Duck !!!! The budget sparked a smell of early elections through its goodies and now with the polls showing the government in front will there be an early election, which should also trigger a double dissolution if the senate continues to block supply? The answer is in the wind of change although the PM is diplomatically avoiding this possibility. But as everybody knows politicians cannot be trusted on their words.
The Labor opposition was taken aback with such a budget coming from the Liberals, and they could not find flaws and grounds to criticise apart form the generosity to high income families who will still get 50% of child care benefits and defending the double dippers on maternity leave payment. The critical path to surplus was also contested as being too optimistic on growth.Bill Shorten's reply speech was also very political with a touch of enhanced philosophy and looking for the future of Australia through more emphasis on technology and science. It was also a brillant speech but which did not show where will the money be coming from to pay for these policies. He stumbbled so many times on this issue on ABC and at other interviews.
So with the turnaround it seems that we are now on the path of economic recovery far from a budget emergency. The deficit is under control; we are well into the path of surplus, money will just flows in, there is no revenue problem, government can continue to spend (on the increase as a percentage of GDP). There is no more need for reforms of taxation or superannuation, medicare is no longer under pressure nor is the welfare budget. Let's ignore the inter-generation report. According to the fat man we can now confidently go out and borrow and spend to stimulate the economy. ( which is sluggish according to the reserve bank; cash rate is at only 2% no need to be an economist to understand that our economy is in dire strait). The job market will be plentiful, everybody will soon have a job through the small business package. Vire mam, riez mam.
Well well all is now beautiful under the Australian sun, we are all happy and our future and those of future generations are secure. Better days are ahead of us according to Joe. So let's then relax , sleep tight and wait for the elections.
GDL
My next Blog will be on the social and economic reforms that Australia really needs.
by GDL
The most obvious reactions from all corners after the presentation of this years' budget was, what a turn around !!! Indeed that reaction is legitimate in the way it contrasts with the last one presented by the fat man with the cigar as in now commonly known the Treasurer, Joe Hockey. Last year it was all about budget emergency, the deficit, that we cannot continue to live beyond our means, cut spending, it is all Labors' bad legacy, GP co-payment as medicare is under pressure, the welfare budget too was a big problem, so indexing the pensions, six months waiting period for new starters, deregulating university fees making student paying more for their degrees, increasing the HECs debt interest rate, while introducing generous paid parental leave for the rich women of the North shore and Tourack, putting pressure on families, the sick and targeting mostly those at the bottom of the social ladder as well as low and middle income families. The budget then was the true face of the Liberals who favours more the rich than the poor, which hates the welfare beneficiaries and university students as they are seen to be leftists or labour's heartland voters. They needed to be punished by bearing the biggest burden of economic reform and budget repairs. No doubt that last year's unfair budget was criticised by most journalists, analysts and commentators in the media so much so that the Libs were in turmoil and Tony Abbott came close of loosing the prime ministership. It was also a nightmare for the Treasurer who faced the wraft of the voters and virtually went into hiding. His position was, according to many, becoming untenable. He came close from being replaced by the rising star and super minister Scott Morrison.
This year's budget is more of a political document to attract voters and make them forget the bitter pill that was administered to the them last year. It was not a dull budget as we thought, but a budget which repaired the relationship between the voters and the government. It was a giveaway budget to attract voters by reducing tax for small business with other goodies, and generous to low and middle income families through child care benefits. The indexation of pensions was dropped instead pensioners with low assets will receive more and cut to high asset-owned pensioners and part pensioners. No change to superannuation meaning those with millions in their portfolio will continue to benefit from generous tax concessions. The GP co-payment dropped as well as the parental leave signature policy. It could also be termed a no tax budget.
The three measures above were the highlights and strong points of the Government's budget on which most voters focussed. The reaction did not take long and this week's poll put the government in a winning position and surprise, surprise, Tony Abbott is now the preferred Prime Minister!!!!. What a change of fortune for Donald Duck !!!! The budget sparked a smell of early elections through its goodies and now with the polls showing the government in front will there be an early election, which should also trigger a double dissolution if the senate continues to block supply? The answer is in the wind of change although the PM is diplomatically avoiding this possibility. But as everybody knows politicians cannot be trusted on their words.
The Labor opposition was taken aback with such a budget coming from the Liberals, and they could not find flaws and grounds to criticise apart form the generosity to high income families who will still get 50% of child care benefits and defending the double dippers on maternity leave payment. The critical path to surplus was also contested as being too optimistic on growth.Bill Shorten's reply speech was also very political with a touch of enhanced philosophy and looking for the future of Australia through more emphasis on technology and science. It was also a brillant speech but which did not show where will the money be coming from to pay for these policies. He stumbbled so many times on this issue on ABC and at other interviews.
So with the turnaround it seems that we are now on the path of economic recovery far from a budget emergency. The deficit is under control; we are well into the path of surplus, money will just flows in, there is no revenue problem, government can continue to spend (on the increase as a percentage of GDP). There is no more need for reforms of taxation or superannuation, medicare is no longer under pressure nor is the welfare budget. Let's ignore the inter-generation report. According to the fat man we can now confidently go out and borrow and spend to stimulate the economy. ( which is sluggish according to the reserve bank; cash rate is at only 2% no need to be an economist to understand that our economy is in dire strait). The job market will be plentiful, everybody will soon have a job through the small business package. Vire mam, riez mam.
Well well all is now beautiful under the Australian sun, we are all happy and our future and those of future generations are secure. Better days are ahead of us according to Joe. So let's then relax , sleep tight and wait for the elections.
GDL
My next Blog will be on the social and economic reforms that Australia really needs.
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