... Ah, don't you find yourself longing for those long ago days when a politician said what he (in Oz it's generally a "he") actually meant? ... Even something sort of remotely close to the truth? Even the conservative ones. (I'm not including Bob Menzies here!
) <sigh>
We're used to lying politicians but Howard is definitely - different. I'll leave it at that I think.
goodfielder wrote:We're used to lying politicians but Howard is definitely - different. I'll leave it at that I think.
Me, too, I think!
For a wee bit.
Bloody depressing stuff, it can really get you down.
I don't think you'll get much argument here - I don't think I've seen anyone say anything in his favour on this thread yet....
I got that feeling hinge - people here tend to think for themselves. I was a bit worried about the precedent in Gutnick v. Whoever It Is That Publishes Forbes Magazine - don't want to get self or site sued
Oh yeah - defamation is where you read it, not where you post it...
Bravo, ACTU in showing some moral leadership on this issue! Many, many Australians feel exactly the same. Personally, I feel deeply ashamed of our federal government's position. But where is the ALP on this? Do they even have an opinion?
ACTU calls for East Timor benefits
April 23, 2005 - 6:29AM/the AGE
The Australian Council of Trade Unions wants East Timor to have its fair share of benefits from gas and oil projects in the Timor Sea.
The maritime boundary negotiations between Australia and East Timor in Dili this week will decide which countries will manage the Timor Sea's oil and gas resources.
ACTU president Sharan Burrow said East Timor deserved its share of billions earned from oil and gas reserves.
"It is also in Australia's best interests to have a prosperous and stable East Timor as our neighbour," Ms Burrow said.
"The ACTU calls on the Australian government to stop short changing the East Timorese on maritime boundaries and government royalties.
"It is essential that East Timor enjoys an equitable share of the anticipated $8 billion of downstream benefits from these projects."
Ms Burrow said a maritime boundary would determine which country received about $40 billion dollars in government royalties from the Greater Sunrise field.
She said in addition to government revenue, there were also economic benefits of on-shore infrastructure and investment.
"These long-term projects will potentially generate thousands of jobs and bring with them numerous flow-on benefits to the local communities," Ms Burrow said.
"The ACTU recognises that such development would enable East Timor to escape continued poverty and to build a sustainable industry."
Ms Burrow said with an annual budget of just $100 million East Timor was very poor.
"Gas and oil from active projects in the Timor Sea is to be piped to Darwin for processing," she said.
"The Northern Territory Government predicts that the pipeline will generate 8,790 jobs and provide a $11 billion boost to the economy.
"Both Australian and East Timorese trade unionists are keen to guarantee that East Timor also benefits from its fair share of downstream development."
Unions have helped East Timor through the overseas aid arm of Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA).
Unions will stage rallies for "A Fair Go For East Timor" in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide on Tuesday.
Under international law maritime boundaries are decided either by the position of a continental shelf, or by the median between two countries.
© 2005 AAP
The ALP are just another political party sadly. They have their eye on the Treasury benches, nothing else is important. Sorry for the deep cynicism but I am sadly sure it's well founded.
It is well founded, goodfielder. And pretty depressing. Beazley's "strategy" of not making any waves about anything vaguely controversial & letting the Coalition hang itself is, well ... not exactly inspiring. But it seems to work in the opinion polls!
Things are pretty crook when the best you can hope for, in response to Howard's excesses & lies, is for a Liberal backbench revolt! (As in the case of the asylum seekers' plight.) Sometimes I almost miss Mark Latham <sigh>... At least he had some guts, opinions & a willingness to take moral positions! I'm not aware of any other political party but the Greens supporting the East Timorese. That's pretty shabby!
I suppose their tactics are for them to decide. I am really hoping that we wake up to Howard and his ilk and boot them out ignominiously at the next federal election. But if Labor does win it would be good to see them actually try to implement some policies that are different to those of the Coalition. It's so disappointing to see the same suits, different faces, same behaviour when Labor gets into Government. Jeepers at least Paul Keating did something when he was there.
goodfielder
I don't just want Labor to win the next election. I want a future Labor government to stand for something quite different to the Libs. I wish the hell they'd start pointing out HOW Labor would be different! That's what's going to win them the votes! Me, my needs are simple: A bit of morality, honesty & support of the under-dog/s. (for a change!)
... & as much as I admired Keating for his broad vision, I still feel a little rattled by his deregulation policies. I mean, did such a small country as ours HAVE to lead the world in this? Far stronger economies held out for much longer ... & some still are holding out. He did a lot of harm to the security & living standards of lower paid workers in his zeal for deregulation "reform". They were thrown to the dogs, in my opinion, from a great height!
I was a delegate to the ACTU Conference in Melbourne when Jenny George was elected President. I was sitting right behind John Coombes and his offsider (Maritime Workers Union). Keating was PM. When he walked in everyone stood up and applauded, everyone except John and his mate. At least there was no booing.
I remember being quite critical of Keating back in the early 1980s (and Hawkie too) but you know it looks as if their deregulation, as painful as it was, may have actually protected our economy. Anyway I'm not an economist so I'm only going on what I've read.
