Australianewsflash

With a resounding 'yes' vote from the recent postal survey by the Federal Government, the latter now needs to translate this vote into legislation that protects those of say certain religions who oppose same sex marriage, while ensuring that the legislation does not even inadvertently result in discrimination being levelled at those it purports to protect. Tricky stuff. May the Force be with our Federal pollies as they grapple with the translation! GD

The federal government is closing down the Manus Island detention centre for people who tried to get into mainland Australia by illegal boat entry.  Several months ago they told the refugees that the centre would be closed and that they would have to move to other accommodation provided out in the wider Manus community.  The refugees refuse to move even though water, power and food are now no longer supplied to the detention centre with the closing date having passed.  The refugees claim that they are not safe in the wider Manus community. The alternative accommodation has been provided but the government seems to have failed to encourage these refugees to move to it over an extended period of time. Part of what the government should have done is to liaise with the Manus authorities to ensure that it was safe for the refugees.  Somewhere, somehow the Australian government seems to have botched the whole thing.  Now the UN is accusing it of breaching its humani...

We are in the hands of a Federal Government that can't seem to get things right.  With almost every bit of legislation that they hail as a wonderful way forward there is almost inevitably a glitch. Now they have rejected outright one of the best ideas for advancing the way for indigenous Australians.  From the recent Uluru gathering came the recommendation that as part of constitutional recognition of indigenous Aussies the practical way forward was to create an indigenous advisory body that the federal parliament calls upon when making legislation about indigenous affairs.  They would be like honorary members of the parliament with a very special role.  Some might even be members of parliament. I am not one for self praise but I was thrilled when this recommendation was made as about two years ago I wrote a long letter to the relevant politicians suggesting that representatives from the various Aboriginal nations be elected to create such a body.  The indig...

I need a lot of convincing of the value of question time.  It seems to regularly produce the opportunity for a Prime Minister or a senior minister to stand at the podium and do a lot of  a shouting. An MP of the governing party asks a question and the relevant Minister of that party arises to answer it and put the position of that party on the matter raised in the question.  It seems to be a constant repetition of the various policies of the governing party. It does provide the opportunity for a member of the opposition benches to ask questions of the government resulting in a relevant government MP having to clarify their policies or actions. I loathe the shouting at each other.  So unbecoming of the elected representatives of the great unwashed of Australia. I am willing to be out right on this matter by any informed reader of this post. May the Force be with our pollies to get on with the job for which they have been elected. GD

Our government continues to scramble and at the moment this is over policies to ensure a steady power supply across the country.  They have rejected the Clean Energy Target recommended recently by our very respected Chief Scientist.  In the background day after day is the ex PM Tony Abbott who was ousted by the incumbent Malcolm Turnbull yet sits on his back bench.  Tony snipes away, espousing his ultra conservative views that almost invariably run counter to what Turnbull and colleagues want to achieve.  One gets the strong feeling that the policy settings of the conservative Turnbull and Co are watered down from what they really want in order to appease Abbott and his few ultra conservative MP supporters. We the great unwashed have just about had enough of it and long for a strong PM who along with his colleagues acts boldly. May the Force be with our PM! GD

The postal voting procedure is underway as the Federal government seeks to ascertain whether Australians want the marriage laws changed to allow same sex marriage.  The Prime Minister says if it is a 'no' vote then this issue will be off the table.  He has openly declared that his will be a 'yes' vote. We wait with eager anticipation for the outcome which will be known on October. May the Force be with you! GD

This is a problem area for the Federal Government as it negotiates with electricity suppliers to push down their prices to the consumer and to commit to keeping sufficient coal generated power online until there can be more certainty with renewable sources. I want the dirty coal power supply to cease but support the government's position to phase out coal use slowly so as not to create the blackout crises predicted for this summer on the east coast and in South Australia. A big issue for our pollies. Many the Force be with us! GD