The big fat lies of the Abbott coalition government
Tony Abbott and the members of the coalition wasted no chance to hammer and crucify Julia Gillard as a liar when she introduced the carbon tax. Everyday and every minute in the last parliament they consistently accused Julia Gillard of lying to the Australian people. This lie haunted Julia Gillard to her political tomb and she brought down the Labor Party with her at the last general elections. Even a last minute change at the head of the Labor Party could not stop the landslide victory of the coalition, thus sanctioning the Labour party for Julia's lie.
Lying to the voters is a breach of trust and once the trust is lost it is very hard to get it back. False promises are also lies, telling voters one thing before the elections and do another after you are in power is a lie, a damned lie. A breach of trust and lying, amount to to demagogy and a cheap way to get into government. The Australian people generally hates lies and hates being taken for a ride. They rarely forget if they feel having been betrayed. Tony Abbot and his team won a landslide victory because of the Labor internal fighting but also on the promises they made to the voters:
" There will no new taxes under a coalition government. We will be a transparent, honest and accountable government. We will be a government of no surprises and will look after every Australian."
These were the promises and the pledge that Tony and his team made to the voters and the latter believed whole heartily and voted for them massively. This is how they got elected. But once in government, it did not take long for the people of Australia to notice that the coalition members were behaving strangely e,g looking after themselves first, travel rots to attend private parties and weddings, indulging in corrupt behaviour, receiving political donations from the mafia etc... Big Joe meanwhile demonstrating his usual arrogance by smoking the big cigar and spending millions of taxpayers money for a diner party in New York and the list goes on and on.
The fatal blow on the voters was the budget speech. Joe and Tony thought that because they have been endorsed massively by the voters, the latter will swallow anything or accept any bitter pills that will be administered to them. The budget speech and measures uncovered the true faces of the hypocrites, the true philosophy of the conservative right in attacking the pensioners, unemployed, families, students, cutting into the social services like health and education all while favouring their mates of the rich end of town through lower company tax, overgenerous paid parental leave of $75,000 per month for the rich ladies of Tourak and the North shores. No tax on those drawing millions from super funds, no tax on big mining companies or those polluting our atmosphere everyday.
The budget was a mere demonstration on whose side they are and who they favour while punishing battlers, the working class, the single mums. the disabled, sick people, the youth. No surprise for the rich but lots of surprises for those at the lower end off the social stratification.
The reaction was immediate and national. All rationale and intelligent observers and the sincere economists were unanimous in condemning the budget measures and they are unfair to a cross section of the population.
But the population rose up against Donald Duck and Mikey Mouse and their ministers through social media and street protests. The polls reacted negatively against the Abbott Government putting them far behind labour... Tony Abbott is now the most unpopular PM in Australia history.
The strategy of the coalition government was to attack the poor and the vulnerable in the first budget thinking that by 2015, they will sweeten the pill or that the people will have forgotten the nightmare caused by Joe Hockeys' unpopular and unfair budget. But Joe and Tony will surely not stop there. More surprises are on the way like lifting the GST and raising the superannuation preservation age. This is just the beginning Joe said, as he is obsessed by a surplus when every credible economist is saying s that there is no budget emergency and that Australia is in a far better position than many OECD countries.
The coalition government will continue to blame the Labor party as an excuse to their unpopular measures. But this is not biting anymore, they are no more in opposition and now must face the reality. They lied to the people of Australians to get into power and now cannot govern effectively.
A lie is a lie and you cannot lie all the time or hide behind the past. The Australians do not accept to be treated as fools. The real fools are Tony, Joe, Barnaby, Warren, Julie and their mates of the right.
George at Studio 2GLF 89.3 fm
Broadcasting Emission Kontak
Monday, 19 May 2014
Sunday, 11 May 2014
I am back
GDL is back
It has been a while since I posted my last blog. I am sorry for those who usually follow me who have been asking questions over my sudden and prolonged silence.
Actually I had some health issues, some personal and emotional problems lately
which kept me away from what I like doing best i.e writing, commenting, analysing and sharing my thoughts with you. I am now in a better shape and glad to renew with my followers, listeners and readers.
Much waters have gone under the bridge since my last blog and much have happened on the political front in
In
The people of
We will have the opportunity for more analysis and expect your comments.
Meanwhile keep kool, work hard, look after your family and eat healthily and do not forget to do regular exercise.
See you soon.
GDL.
Thursday, 13 February 2014
Valentine's day for who ??
Happy Valentine's day to who ?
By GDL.
Valentine's day is supposed to be a day when lovers renew their vows by sending gifts, flowers, chocolates, a teddy bear and what not a token of their love.
It is also occasion for husbands to make their wives believe that they are still very much in love ad vice-versa. Others will probably use this day as the appropriate time to propose. So today in the hearts and minds of many it is a special day.
Is St Valentine's day a genuine day for lovers or an excuse or opportunity for them to say and do what lovers forget or neglect to do everyday ?
Love is more demonstrated and reinforced in action rather than words. Flowers, chocolates and what not should not be offered on Valentine's day only but at every opportunity possible. A good husband loves his wife and family by caring for them. A lover will take her/his fiancé to dinner very often and offer her flowers or gifts from time to time. But this is not enough, he or she should say to the other from time to time " I still love you very much." and more still, show it in many ways possible.
Today is Valentine's day when the price of roses skyrocket. It becomes expensive to buy a bouquet of 23 red roses on this day. It can be an excuse for not buying them but why not do it next week or anytime with the same passion and love and spontaneity.
Today is only the commercial valentine's day the other 364 days are the real love days.
Valentine's day can be on the other hand a very sad day for some who have still not found love and do not feel loved. So lets' sympathise with these lonely ones and tell then not to worry about today as it is only another of the imagination of the capitalist system and marketing to get the poor to feed the big business.
GDL
The historical origin of Valentine’s Day is surrounded by mystery, but one legend behind this celebrated holiday is centered around Valentinus, a Christian Saint, who was imprisoned for not giving up his Christian faith. Historians believe that Saint Valentine was a temple priest under Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor insisted that unmarried men were better soldiers that those who were married, and he forbade marriage for younger men. Valentine realized the unfairness of this statute, defied Claudius, and performed weddings
for young soldiers who were forbidden to marry. He was also accused of preaching to Christians. During the Roman Empire, this act was considered treason, and when Emperor Claudius discovered his actions, Valentine was imprisoned and ordered to be put to Death.
Valentine's day is supposed to be a day when lovers renew their vows by sending gifts, flowers, chocolates, a teddy bear and what not a token of their love.
It is also occasion for husbands to make their wives believe that they are still very much in love ad vice-versa. Others will probably use this day as the appropriate time to propose. So today in the hearts and minds of many it is a special day.
Is St Valentine's day a genuine day for lovers or an excuse or opportunity for them to say and do what lovers forget or neglect to do everyday ?
Love is more demonstrated and reinforced in action rather than words. Flowers, chocolates and what not should not be offered on Valentine's day only but at every opportunity possible. A good husband loves his wife and family by caring for them. A lover will take her/his fiancé to dinner very often and offer her flowers or gifts from time to time. But this is not enough, he or she should say to the other from time to time " I still love you very much." and more still, show it in many ways possible.
Today is Valentine's day when the price of roses skyrocket. It becomes expensive to buy a bouquet of 23 red roses on this day. It can be an excuse for not buying them but why not do it next week or anytime with the same passion and love and spontaneity.
Today is only the commercial valentine's day the other 364 days are the real love days.
Valentine's day can be on the other hand a very sad day for some who have still not found love and do not feel loved. So lets' sympathise with these lonely ones and tell then not to worry about today as it is only another of the imagination of the capitalist system and marketing to get the poor to feed the big business.
GDL
The historical origin of Valentine’s Day is surrounded by mystery, but one legend behind this celebrated holiday is centered around Valentinus, a Christian Saint, who was imprisoned for not giving up his Christian faith. Historians believe that Saint Valentine was a temple priest under Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor insisted that unmarried men were better soldiers that those who were married, and he forbade marriage for younger men. Valentine realized the unfairness of this statute, defied Claudius, and performed weddings
for young soldiers who were forbidden to marry. He was also accused of preaching to Christians. During the Roman Empire, this act was considered treason, and when Emperor Claudius discovered his actions, Valentine was imprisoned and ordered to be put to Death.
Saint Valentine would cut out heart shapes from a sheet of parchment and give them to soldiers, and the persecuted Christians, to remind them of their vows and God’s love. It is believed that Saint Valentine wore an amethyst ring with an image of Cupid engraved in it. This was recognized as a symbol associated with love, and usually worn by bishops. The soldiers would recognize his ring and ask Saint Valentine to perform marriage ceremonies for them. During his imprisonment, he befriended his captor’s daughter, and they struck up a friendship. The visits by the woman were brief, and they did not have much time to talk to one another. He would, during his free time, write loving messages on small cards and hand these over to her when she visited.
However, there are at least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, mentioned inthe early martyrologies under the date 14 February.
of parchment and give them to soldiers, and the persecuted Christians, to remind them of their vows and God’s love. It is believed that Saint Valentine wore an amethyst ring with an image of Cupid engraved in it. This was recognized as a symbol associated with love, and usually worn by bishops. The soldiers would recognize his ring and ask Saint Valentine to perform marriage ceremonies for them. During his imprisonment, he befriended his captor’s daughter, and they struck up a friendship. The visits by the woman were brief, and they did not have much time to talk to one another. He would, during his free time, write loving Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Can Melbourne remain the most liveable city ??
Is Melbourne really the most liveable city ?
by GDL
Recently the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) voted Melbourne as the most liveable city, not only in Australia, but in the world.
What prompted the agency to qualify Melbourne as the most liveable city was based on some criterias like: the friendliness of its people, the moderate cost of living, great social interaction, the love and participation of its residents to sports and cultural activities, the good transport facilities, its cultural diversity, the parks, orchards and many flower gardens. It is also true that metropolitan Melbourne is not yet overcrowded; there are still lots of spaces between the suburbs and many scope for new dwellings.The buoyant economic activities and consumption patterns of the Melbournians are striking which can make believe that unemployment is low. Most people of Melbourne live in very nice houses with at least 3 bedrooms and drive new cars. One can see more luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes in Melbourne than in Sydney. However all must be taken in proportion because Melbourne's population is a bit more than half that of Sydney.
This statistic denotes that Melbourne is not as overcrowded as Sydney as mentioned earlier. Reports show that 1,500 people are moving to Melbourne every week. With such a trend it is anticipated that there will me more social and economic activities which, on paper, will be beneficial to the Victorian economy. This, however, remains to be seen in view of the downturn in the manufacturing with the closures of Ford, Holden, SPC and Toyota which, according to some analysts, might affect up to 25,000 jobs directly and 1 million indirectly.
The principal drawback in Melbourne is the weather. Melbourne is reknown for a very versatile weather; it might shine in the morning and rain at noon, be hot in the afternoon and very cold at night.There is virtually no seasons in Melbourne as there can be up to five types of weather in the same day. While this unpredicted weather might be very annoying for the visitor, those living in Melbourne do not find any inconvenience, live with it as they are used to it, and perform their social, professional and other activities as per normal. This is amazing, hats off.
The other problem in Melbourne is the "fragile" economy in a globalised one with firce competition from Asian countries. Melbourne grew from the gold rush from 1851 to 1896 when it is reported that a total of 61,034,682 oz of gold was mined in Victoria.Gold was first discovered in Australia on 15 February 1823.
Melbourne was the capital of Australia before the establishment of the satellite city-capital, Canberra.
While Canberra was (still is) the political capital of Australia, Melbourne was the main manufacturing and service city of Australia. It was only years later that most service industries moved to Sydney leaving Melbourne as the heart of manufacturing in Australia.
Melbourne has enjoyed economic fortunes for many years as most manufacturers were investing in Melbourne where semi-skilled and low-skilled labour were abundant. Most migrants were going to Melbourne where it was much easier to obtain a job even though illiterate or unskilled.
The fortune of Victoria today hands on a knife edge with the demise of manufacturing. Closure of factories, and lost of jobs in the thousands. This will eventually plunge the state in an economic slowdown and maybe into recession.
The fallout of a recession will cause harm to those directly affected and indirectly to those industries such as retail, housing and services as people will be careful with spending and investments. Those directly affected might find it hard to continue meeting their mortgages especially those couples with children attending school. A loss or reduction of income and a change of lifestyle will eventually follow as a consequence.This will indeed be a sad situation as the people of Melbourne are hardworking, caring, family oriented, enjoy life and so friendly.
Lets hope that Melbourne will not become, if the recession hits the state, the most unliveable city of Australia.
Recently the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) voted Melbourne as the most liveable city, not only in Australia, but in the world.
What prompted the agency to qualify Melbourne as the most liveable city was based on some criterias like: the friendliness of its people, the moderate cost of living, great social interaction, the love and participation of its residents to sports and cultural activities, the good transport facilities, its cultural diversity, the parks, orchards and many flower gardens. It is also true that metropolitan Melbourne is not yet overcrowded; there are still lots of spaces between the suburbs and many scope for new dwellings.The buoyant economic activities and consumption patterns of the Melbournians are striking which can make believe that unemployment is low. Most people of Melbourne live in very nice houses with at least 3 bedrooms and drive new cars. One can see more luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes in Melbourne than in Sydney. However all must be taken in proportion because Melbourne's population is a bit more than half that of Sydney.
This statistic denotes that Melbourne is not as overcrowded as Sydney as mentioned earlier. Reports show that 1,500 people are moving to Melbourne every week. With such a trend it is anticipated that there will me more social and economic activities which, on paper, will be beneficial to the Victorian economy. This, however, remains to be seen in view of the downturn in the manufacturing with the closures of Ford, Holden, SPC and Toyota which, according to some analysts, might affect up to 25,000 jobs directly and 1 million indirectly.
The principal drawback in Melbourne is the weather. Melbourne is reknown for a very versatile weather; it might shine in the morning and rain at noon, be hot in the afternoon and very cold at night.There is virtually no seasons in Melbourne as there can be up to five types of weather in the same day. While this unpredicted weather might be very annoying for the visitor, those living in Melbourne do not find any inconvenience, live with it as they are used to it, and perform their social, professional and other activities as per normal. This is amazing, hats off.
The other problem in Melbourne is the "fragile" economy in a globalised one with firce competition from Asian countries. Melbourne grew from the gold rush from 1851 to 1896 when it is reported that a total of 61,034,682 oz of gold was mined in Victoria.Gold was first discovered in Australia on 15 February 1823.
Melbourne was the capital of Australia before the establishment of the satellite city-capital, Canberra.
While Canberra was (still is) the political capital of Australia, Melbourne was the main manufacturing and service city of Australia. It was only years later that most service industries moved to Sydney leaving Melbourne as the heart of manufacturing in Australia.
Melbourne has enjoyed economic fortunes for many years as most manufacturers were investing in Melbourne where semi-skilled and low-skilled labour were abundant. Most migrants were going to Melbourne where it was much easier to obtain a job even though illiterate or unskilled.
The fortune of Victoria today hands on a knife edge with the demise of manufacturing. Closure of factories, and lost of jobs in the thousands. This will eventually plunge the state in an economic slowdown and maybe into recession.
The fallout of a recession will cause harm to those directly affected and indirectly to those industries such as retail, housing and services as people will be careful with spending and investments. Those directly affected might find it hard to continue meeting their mortgages especially those couples with children attending school. A loss or reduction of income and a change of lifestyle will eventually follow as a consequence.This will indeed be a sad situation as the people of Melbourne are hardworking, caring, family oriented, enjoy life and so friendly.
Lets hope that Melbourne will not become, if the recession hits the state, the most unliveable city of Australia.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Welcome to 2014
Happy New Year 2014 Everyone
by GDL
Another year gone and another starting.
Like every year it's time to reflect and set some resolutions. We reflect on what we did or did not do. We reflect and assess what we achieved during the past year. We also reflect on why we failed to do, what we initially set to do but cannot really find a rational explanation.
Again we set some goals and objectives, materially more that anything else: time to buy a new car or move into a new house, time to have a new TV set, a new computer, new furniture, another trip overseas, etc...But only a few will say I need to be a better person, think more of others, help my neighbours, look after my family and be more caring. So let us all try to do and be better this year although this might sound relative for some.
During the festive seasons, people are bombarded by marketing and the urge to buy is very strong if not irresistible. Commercial Christmas has taken over the religious one and even if it means drawing from the credit card or getting into debt, gifts have to be offered and received. It has become imperative to do something special for Christmas or at this end of year. The more we spend and buy, the more we enjoy, feel good and boost our self-esteem. The feel-good is another concept of capitalistic marketing where "wants" take over "needs". Many of the gifts received or offered are often unwanted and end up somewhere else, or kept to be offered at another occasion. It is also the case that what was received from A will be given to B while X ends up receiving a gift that was received from Z. Funny isn't it ?
Before Christmas there is the buying frenzy, millions are spent although there will be a sale after Christmas (in Australia particularly). Still more are spent after Christmas during the sales period. This year apparently, Australians spent some billions during the sale. Was this genuine purchase or were people trapped by shops which have made 300 per cent profit before Christmas and not reducing to 100 per cent ? Good marketing again from the shops to keep people buying and spending.
Talking of marketing this is the buzz...everything is marketing: promotion, advertising, sales, all blurred and blended now. Marketing creates awareness, the urge and entices customers to buy so that they can enjoy a better lifestyle, the feel-good factor is supreme. So everyone jumps into the same boat. But while some reach the shore many drown, meaning that many end up in debts and difficulties and have to work all year to repay the debts. This is capitalism at its best: consume, consume and consume as they " want" us to do, impulse buying takes over rational buying. However, it seems hard to resist to this undue consumption pattern because this is the way to be or they want us to be. Again we give way to our unlimited wants and forget what we really need. This eventually creates waste because soon we found that we did not really need this and either we do not use it or we throw it away. But meanwhile your money has gone into someone else's pockets. Big business, multinationals, the already rich have gone richer. But we are all ready to do it again even though we know pertinently that the few will always be rich at the expense of the mass. The rich always prey on the poor to get richer and leave the poor poorer.
But no there is no such thing like exploitation or living at the expense of those who are weak and vulnerable in this modern era, it is all about marketing and consuming. The more one consumes the better it is for the economy and for the world. Money and business come first and its does not matter if this causes some collateral damages along the way. The world must move on. We all must move on whatever the cost.
by GDL
Another year gone and another starting.
Like every year it's time to reflect and set some resolutions. We reflect on what we did or did not do. We reflect and assess what we achieved during the past year. We also reflect on why we failed to do, what we initially set to do but cannot really find a rational explanation.
Again we set some goals and objectives, materially more that anything else: time to buy a new car or move into a new house, time to have a new TV set, a new computer, new furniture, another trip overseas, etc...But only a few will say I need to be a better person, think more of others, help my neighbours, look after my family and be more caring. So let us all try to do and be better this year although this might sound relative for some.
During the festive seasons, people are bombarded by marketing and the urge to buy is very strong if not irresistible. Commercial Christmas has taken over the religious one and even if it means drawing from the credit card or getting into debt, gifts have to be offered and received. It has become imperative to do something special for Christmas or at this end of year. The more we spend and buy, the more we enjoy, feel good and boost our self-esteem. The feel-good is another concept of capitalistic marketing where "wants" take over "needs". Many of the gifts received or offered are often unwanted and end up somewhere else, or kept to be offered at another occasion. It is also the case that what was received from A will be given to B while X ends up receiving a gift that was received from Z. Funny isn't it ?
Before Christmas there is the buying frenzy, millions are spent although there will be a sale after Christmas (in Australia particularly). Still more are spent after Christmas during the sales period. This year apparently, Australians spent some billions during the sale. Was this genuine purchase or were people trapped by shops which have made 300 per cent profit before Christmas and not reducing to 100 per cent ? Good marketing again from the shops to keep people buying and spending.
Talking of marketing this is the buzz...everything is marketing: promotion, advertising, sales, all blurred and blended now. Marketing creates awareness, the urge and entices customers to buy so that they can enjoy a better lifestyle, the feel-good factor is supreme. So everyone jumps into the same boat. But while some reach the shore many drown, meaning that many end up in debts and difficulties and have to work all year to repay the debts. This is capitalism at its best: consume, consume and consume as they " want" us to do, impulse buying takes over rational buying. However, it seems hard to resist to this undue consumption pattern because this is the way to be or they want us to be. Again we give way to our unlimited wants and forget what we really need. This eventually creates waste because soon we found that we did not really need this and either we do not use it or we throw it away. But meanwhile your money has gone into someone else's pockets. Big business, multinationals, the already rich have gone richer. But we are all ready to do it again even though we know pertinently that the few will always be rich at the expense of the mass. The rich always prey on the poor to get richer and leave the poor poorer.
But no there is no such thing like exploitation or living at the expense of those who are weak and vulnerable in this modern era, it is all about marketing and consuming. The more one consumes the better it is for the economy and for the world. Money and business come first and its does not matter if this causes some collateral damages along the way. The world must move on. We all must move on whatever the cost.
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Abbott coalition government in damage control
" It is much easier to criticise than to act" GDL
After its astounding victory on 7 September Tony Abbott, the new federal Prime Minister of Australia, said that Australians will see positive changes within the first 100 days of his government.
It is now nearly 90 days since the change of government and nothing new has occurred. It is therefore not strange that the latest poll gave the Abbott government behind the opposition.
The poll also showed that Tony Abbott disapproval rating is much bigger than his approval one. In fact, Tony Abbott has never been a popular figure but rather a controversial one in opposition, and he continues to be the same in government. His arguments are surely not cogent.
During six years in opposition, the Abbott coalition capitalised on the weaknesses of the minority Labor government which had to rely on the Greens and the Independents to just stay in power. The then opposition promised that a coalition government would change the country for the better, they would repeal the carbon tax to reduce cost of living, they would immediately stop the boats of refugees or illegals coming to our shores in numbers, they would reduce the deficit, cut waste and manage taxpayers more efficiently and create jobs and so on and so forth. They raised the expectation of the voters to a very high level. Every one in Australia was promised a better life and everyone was looking forward for that change to happen sooner rather than later.
The change of government, as all analysts agreed, was more a reject of the Labor party and their mistakes and idiosyncrasies. The people of Australia voted the Labor government out more than they voted the coalition in. This was probably the right thing to do as the country needed a new start and a team that would solve the existing domestic problems and establish a plan to envisage a better economic future for Australia. The voters were expecting a strong government to deal with law and order and curb and irradicate the Islamist fundamentalist current which is rising in Australia coming from a particular group in Sydney. This was the promise made by Tony Abbott to the voters.
What have happened since the change over has been very disappointing. It was soon found out that, even with a big majority, the new Abbott government is struggling to govern. First there was the scandal where members of the new government abused of parliamentary expenses, for their personal use. Tony Abbott, the PM and ministers like Georges Brandis and Barnabe Joyce among others were also implicated.
Then came the surprising request of the new Treasurer, Joe Hockey, to raise the debt ceiling from $300 billion to $500 billion. This was a shocker because instead of reducing the debt and deficit, that is a sign that the new government intends to spend more without saying when they will achieve the famous surplus promised. Then came the breaking promise of school funding. The new Minister for Education, Christopher Payne, suddenly declared that the new government will not honour the agreement made with some states by the previous government. This means that the schools will not receive the expected funding over the preconised period.
On the foreign front it is obvious that diplomatic relation with Indonesia is at its worse following the stubbornness, if not arrogance, of Tony Abbott to acknowledge the problem related to spying over the President of Indonesia SYB as well as his wife and ministers. Tony Abbott thinks he is bigger that Barrak Obama who apologised to Angela Merkel. Indonesia has now suspended all collaboration with Australia and has even imposed a road map to future relations. There is also that another gaffe of the Foreign Minister Julia Bishop that could endanger the trade talks with China.
The biggest disillusion of Australians and particularly those who voted for the change, on which the coalition built its electoral campaign, is the stopping of the boats. It is now clear that the new government is unable to stop the boats from coming, unable to deal with people smuggling and unable to prevent people dying at sea. The new minister for Immigration, Scott Morrisson, can only hide himself behind the veil of secrecy by not giving information neither to journalist nor to the Austrian public. Minister Scott Morrisson even refused to answer questions in parliament thus violating the Westminster tradition.
As for the debate in parliament, since it resumed, it is observed that the new ministers have still not yet mastered their portfolios, while some like Peter Dutton, Minister for Health, are merely demonstrating their limitations. Minister Greg Hunt for his part, is still incapable for explaining how his Direct Action Policy will reduce the targeted emission level of ten per cent by 2020.
Question time in parliament is a mere display of how the opposition is hammering and pushing the new government against the wall, while the new speaker is one-sided protecting the government facing humiliation.
The situation for the new government is chaotic to say the least. Controversial and extreme right-wing figures like Barnabe Joyce and the nationals are driving the agenda causing the new Treasurer to reject the bid of $3.4 billion to purchase GrainCorp by ADM. Joe Hockey was very embarrassed explaining his decision because he said he would not be bullied by anyone over this transaction.
These are only a few problems that the new government is encountering. Their future is not bright especially when facing a strong opposition, a revamped and rejuvenated Labor Party which had got rid of its heavy weights like Julia Gilard and Kevin Rudd.
After its astounding victory on 7 September Tony Abbott, the new federal Prime Minister of Australia, said that Australians will see positive changes within the first 100 days of his government.
It is now nearly 90 days since the change of government and nothing new has occurred. It is therefore not strange that the latest poll gave the Abbott government behind the opposition.
The poll also showed that Tony Abbott disapproval rating is much bigger than his approval one. In fact, Tony Abbott has never been a popular figure but rather a controversial one in opposition, and he continues to be the same in government. His arguments are surely not cogent.
During six years in opposition, the Abbott coalition capitalised on the weaknesses of the minority Labor government which had to rely on the Greens and the Independents to just stay in power. The then opposition promised that a coalition government would change the country for the better, they would repeal the carbon tax to reduce cost of living, they would immediately stop the boats of refugees or illegals coming to our shores in numbers, they would reduce the deficit, cut waste and manage taxpayers more efficiently and create jobs and so on and so forth. They raised the expectation of the voters to a very high level. Every one in Australia was promised a better life and everyone was looking forward for that change to happen sooner rather than later.
The change of government, as all analysts agreed, was more a reject of the Labor party and their mistakes and idiosyncrasies. The people of Australia voted the Labor government out more than they voted the coalition in. This was probably the right thing to do as the country needed a new start and a team that would solve the existing domestic problems and establish a plan to envisage a better economic future for Australia. The voters were expecting a strong government to deal with law and order and curb and irradicate the Islamist fundamentalist current which is rising in Australia coming from a particular group in Sydney. This was the promise made by Tony Abbott to the voters.
What have happened since the change over has been very disappointing. It was soon found out that, even with a big majority, the new Abbott government is struggling to govern. First there was the scandal where members of the new government abused of parliamentary expenses, for their personal use. Tony Abbott, the PM and ministers like Georges Brandis and Barnabe Joyce among others were also implicated.
Then came the surprising request of the new Treasurer, Joe Hockey, to raise the debt ceiling from $300 billion to $500 billion. This was a shocker because instead of reducing the debt and deficit, that is a sign that the new government intends to spend more without saying when they will achieve the famous surplus promised. Then came the breaking promise of school funding. The new Minister for Education, Christopher Payne, suddenly declared that the new government will not honour the agreement made with some states by the previous government. This means that the schools will not receive the expected funding over the preconised period.
On the foreign front it is obvious that diplomatic relation with Indonesia is at its worse following the stubbornness, if not arrogance, of Tony Abbott to acknowledge the problem related to spying over the President of Indonesia SYB as well as his wife and ministers. Tony Abbott thinks he is bigger that Barrak Obama who apologised to Angela Merkel. Indonesia has now suspended all collaboration with Australia and has even imposed a road map to future relations. There is also that another gaffe of the Foreign Minister Julia Bishop that could endanger the trade talks with China.
The biggest disillusion of Australians and particularly those who voted for the change, on which the coalition built its electoral campaign, is the stopping of the boats. It is now clear that the new government is unable to stop the boats from coming, unable to deal with people smuggling and unable to prevent people dying at sea. The new minister for Immigration, Scott Morrisson, can only hide himself behind the veil of secrecy by not giving information neither to journalist nor to the Austrian public. Minister Scott Morrisson even refused to answer questions in parliament thus violating the Westminster tradition.
As for the debate in parliament, since it resumed, it is observed that the new ministers have still not yet mastered their portfolios, while some like Peter Dutton, Minister for Health, are merely demonstrating their limitations. Minister Greg Hunt for his part, is still incapable for explaining how his Direct Action Policy will reduce the targeted emission level of ten per cent by 2020.
Question time in parliament is a mere display of how the opposition is hammering and pushing the new government against the wall, while the new speaker is one-sided protecting the government facing humiliation.
The situation for the new government is chaotic to say the least. Controversial and extreme right-wing figures like Barnabe Joyce and the nationals are driving the agenda causing the new Treasurer to reject the bid of $3.4 billion to purchase GrainCorp by ADM. Joe Hockey was very embarrassed explaining his decision because he said he would not be bullied by anyone over this transaction.
These are only a few problems that the new government is encountering. Their future is not bright especially when facing a strong opposition, a revamped and rejuvenated Labor Party which had got rid of its heavy weights like Julia Gilard and Kevin Rudd.
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Ecoutez les programmes de Radio Kontak sur le net
Listen to our radio programs by clicking on the links below
J'esere que vous avez ecoute notre premier programme
et nous vous offrons d'autres programmes que nous avons realises depuis
Clicquez sur les liens ci dessous et ecoutez (Merci)
1.Conseils pratiques Comment bien manger, avec Clancy Philippe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcyaKFEu1CA
2.Intervention de Ignace Ducasse sur la langue Kreol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1cLqT2f3g4
3.La Cuisine mauricienne avec Clancy Philippe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoDzO_YiIyE
4.La Communaute mauricienne a Sydney, Analyse de Radio Kontak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur34x8vP8nE
5.Dejeuner au Club Rodriguais de Melbourne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoyEJcOnrX4
6.Pierre Argo nous parle de la musique traditionelle de l'ile Rodrigues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNaDRnQkyAk
7.Le sega Mauricien, analyse de Radio Kontak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqnrFSiZqAM
J'esere que vous avez ecoute notre premier programme
et nous vous offrons d'autres programmes que nous avons realises depuis
Clicquez sur les liens ci dessous et ecoutez (Merci)
1.Conseils pratiques Comment bien manger, avec Clancy Philippe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcyaKFEu1CA
2.Intervention de Ignace Ducasse sur la langue Kreol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1cLqT2f3g4
3.La Cuisine mauricienne avec Clancy Philippe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoDzO_YiIyE
4.La Communaute mauricienne a Sydney, Analyse de Radio Kontak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur34x8vP8nE
5.Dejeuner au Club Rodriguais de Melbourne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoyEJcOnrX4
6.Pierre Argo nous parle de la musique traditionelle de l'ile Rodrigues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNaDRnQkyAk
7.Le sega Mauricien, analyse de Radio Kontak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqnrFSiZqAM
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