John Lacey
Government and Environment
Generally speaking I am completely apathetic when it comes to politics and government. Lately for reasons I am unable to explain, I have found myself taking a greater interest. Hell, I even watched QUESTION TIME the other day…
I’m not going to lie to you. I didn’t vote for the Labor party on any level. I was profoundly disappointed when they got into Federal parliament. I was profoundly disappointed when I realised Peter Costello would never be Prime Minister. I also decided that there was something particularly shifty looking about Kevin Rudd. Not to mention that annoying “Kevin Oh Seven” catch cry.
Eventually, though, I started moving beyond it. I thought, ‘hey, let’s give them a chance.’ Let’s see what they can do. The 2020 Summit seemed like a publicity stunt, but it was still nice that people were talking about the country and the issues.
The Budget was a bit conservative, sure, but everyone beyond pensioners seemed content enough.
One of the most disconcerting things for me, though, is Peter Garrett. I guess it is one of those things we all wondered about: Can you affect greater environmental change through political songs or political participation? But I look at him and I don’t see the passion (nor the dreadful dancing) that I saw in the singer of Midnight Oil. Instead I see someone well rehearsed with opposition rebuttal voice grabs.
I’m not sure I really understand the changes to policy regarding Solar Power for Australian homes. It went from being a five year plan to a three year plan, and now its being means tested? And this makes it more sustainable? And there is some kind of low interest loan scheme for anyone who falls outside of the means tested levels?
And what is Mr. Garrett’s office doing to prevent the logging of Tasmania’s Wielangta State Forest?
I wonder more generally how anything requiring any long term dedication happens in this country at all. Especially when a newly elected government goes around adjusting the policies of the previous government. Potentially there can be a new government in this country every four years. Potentially, I theorise, that also means any Government initiative requiring five years to reach fruition is doomed. Perhaps that is the real reason for changes to the time frame for the Solar Power policy?
I guess we can, at least, be grateful they didn’t reverse the Goods and Services Tax.
Nothing rarely gets done in Government. That being said, the Australian systems is infinitely better than the US. Most of what you describe in your blog, I’m not that familiar with (I’ve since stopped looking too much into Australian politics). But Western Governments need to change. They’re so bent on keeping their elected jobs that they fail to actually do the work they were elected to do.
Peter Garrett’s bed is burning