Federal Parliament Resumes: The Calm before the Storm perhaps?

Like many 'normal' people I've been astounded by the lack of media surrounding the various decisions and policy directions of the new Abbott Coalition Government.
Any utterance from the previous government, not an official Coalition but an uneasy alliance of groups, was met from many influential media commentators with a form of viciousness and hysteria that effectively blocked any conversation on what was actually happening.
The current calm, honeymoon period would seem welcome except that I suspect the very media restraint has more to do with control than anything real.

My acquaintance with the 48 Laws of Power indicates Law 4: Always say less than necessary is being followed scrupulously by both Coalition politicians and their media colleagues. Thus we hear very little happening about the "Stop the Boats" promise. News is seemingly coming through, supposedly from Indonesian sources, of boats being stopped at sea, being 'sent' back to Indonesia and having this action refused by the sovereign Indonesian Government. The boats are then taken to Christmas Island.
End result - the policies are not working!
So although the Boat numbers have slowed, before and after the elections, due to the government policy of off-shoring the migration, the boats have not stopped. But our daily 'information' has.
"Knowledge is power" said Sir Francis Bacon (or the latin translation)
Lack of media criticism is worrying but lack of media hysteria is not.

Today Tony Windsor, ex Interdependent MP from New England, gave a thoughtful answer to why the Carbon Tax should not be repealed (ABC Radio 774) . As a farmer of many years and politician as well, I have always been impressed at how he actually answers the questions, not with personal attacks, OTT hysteria and a rising voice of anger, but a considered statement of his views, experience and indication of actual knowledge. He will be missed.

So the first action of Tony Abbott's Government will be the repeal of the Carbon Tax. I urge all the opposition parties in both Houses and particularly the Senate, to hold firm. Don't abolish the Carbon Tax. The people are not always right particularly if fed misinformation, business is not always right and the environment is needing a helping hand. We must pay for our pollution and we must allow policies that affirm the right of the environment ahead of almost anything else.
Can you imagine Typhoon Hiyan hitting Brisbane or Sydney?? What cost for a few $$ per day to us all, including business?

Greens Launch:

The Australian Greens 'launched' their election campaign yesterday at Brisbane. Obviously Queensland is where this election is at with K. Rudd and T. Abbott spending lots of time up there as well.

The Australian Greens are facing a reduced vote following the Australian public's perception of their role in the last Federal, minority Government. The fall-out of not having a clear winner in the 2010 election will be made plain in this coming election.

So it will be very interesting to watch what Tony Windsor says on Australian Story, ABC TV 8pm tomorrow- entitled "A Voice in the Wilderness". A key Independant who helped form the patchwork that was the last federal government, he will have insights into the process of governing. Policies for Regional Australia, key infrastructure (NBN) and the Carbon Tax are all part of his legacy and perhaps his measured thoughts may help to change perceptions of incompetence that haunted the politicians of the last few years.

I was brought up with a 2 party (left/right orientation), first past the post system. But my country of origin has, since I migrated to Australia, moved to a more truly representative system. You get a patchwork of small parties leavening the major parties. Sometimes adding extreme 'colour' in terms of behaviour.

For Australians pining after the tried and true 2 party state, I hope for the sake of our environment, they also respond to Christine Milne's appeal to enable the Greens to hold the balance of power in the Federal Senate. But beware of preference flows.

As a previous older statesman, Australian Democrat Don Chipp, once remarked- Lets keep the Bastards Honest!
(PS: and where are the democrats now? Lets hope the Greens survive their brush with governing and leadership change)

Rambunctious Rudd Ascendancy (Again)

Last night's turbulence saw the overthrow of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the restoration,to the leadership of the Federal Labor Party, of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

This Labor Government has initiated many firsts. First to throw out a first term Prime Minister. First to install a female Prime Minister. First to have so many damaging leaks from within the Government Party aimed at de-stabilizing said PM. First to tackle Climate Change via a price on Carbon (aka Carbon Tax) but in a way guaranteed to offside so many people. First to re-install a previous PM to the leadership while still in power! But not the first to show the back-stabbing, power moves and power machinations within political parties. So many of these 'firsts' showing many politicians in extremely self-serving and poor light.

What has pissed me off most is the collateral damage to people I respect and admire. To hear that Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott have resigned, for 'family' reasons is saddening, though understandable. I believe, their negotiations have brought much needed funding and programs to Australians, particularly in regional areas.
The NBN, Carbon Pricing, education funding and attempt at Health Reforms have been a hallmark of the Labor Government.
All these initiatives are worthwhile and their discussions brought some much needed sanity and reflection on policy. What is questionable was the ability of the Government, a minority Government, to implement these reforms fairly and equitably. Something I don't think our State, Federal  and local politicians think much about. The me generation of citizens are well and truly clamoring.

My family was brought up with Midnight Oil music resounding in the car and house constantly. Peter Garrett has good reason to resign now that Mr Rudd is back. It is sad to see Garrett go, though I always preferred to think of him as a loud and effective Environmentalist. I wonder where that leaves the Gonski reforms for Victoria? The loss of so many Labor ministers is both sad but also allows for renewal.

The next few days may see an early election. Roll on the policies people and less of the lemon & Labor chaos! (Faint hope I fear!)