AUSTRALIAN ...... by SPANKOZ AUSTRALIA

" The only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing . "

Subject to absolute safeguards , we can see no reason for not developing the mining , enriching , export , reprocessing and storage of ( spent ) uranium . Australia is uniquely placed to provide a " cradle to grave " uranium supply solution to the world .

We believe that this will reduce tensions over the continuity of nuclear supply and help to stop nuclear weapon proliferation , i.e. sign the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) or we will not supply it .

This plan should be judged against alternative energy sources , with the current federal government lifting it's coal limited sights to adequately fund appropriate ( and speedy ) studies .

At this stage , we believe that the Labor Opposition is way ahead in the areas of Foreign Affairs and Defence . ( We do have some concerns with the proposed Iraq pull out . )

While on the subject of the so called " War on Terrorism " , we would suggest Al Qaeda think again about Australia . We do not like overseas meddling in our affairs , as the Bush Administration recently found out . Recently , Australians have been several times more effective than others in destroying Al Qaeda and allies .

Eminent Australians condemn government over Iraq war

The 43 eminent Australians including two former chiefs of defence and three ambassadors issued a scathing public statement accusing the government of deceit ....

DE-ANNE KELLY : I think we have to ask the question , these doddering daiquiri diplomats .....

Well Miss Kelly , some of these Australians have led our men ( and women ) in War and were responsible for training their successors , who now lead our forces .

We have never seen a Marshall of the RAAF publicly shaking with emotion over government policy before .

Today , 25 May , 2003 , we have witnessed the first political assassination in Australia . This is not in the sense of someone taking a pot shot at Arthur Caldwell at the Mosman Town Hall or the odd Local Council or Minister being sacked .

The Governor - General and Mrs. Hollingworth have our sympathy for the way in which this has come about .

The Prime Minister , John Howard , should have taken the heat and taken responsibility long ago to allow an orderly transition over a suitable period of time . The office is once again politicised and the Republicans are overjoyed .

It is our strongly held view that the present Queen has carried out the role Of Head of the Australian Government superbly . She is well briefed on Australian affairs and displays an understanding of local issues far in excess of the present Government . The matter of who her local representative is and how they are selected are separate issues .

The PM is at work behind the scenes floating the idea that Mr. Tim Fisher , the former National Party Leader , is the man for the job . Tim Fisher connects with the people , is seized with a strong patriotism and will do a good job . However he is also of the conservative mould so popular with John Howard . What is needed is a person with these qualities plus intellectual rigour , lawyers previously have had the inside running .

We would like to suggest the following candidates , although there is no rush to permanently fill the position :
( We have no idea if they would be interested or available , but we desperately need a person possessing their abilities . )

Yesterday , 11 May , 2003 , the Governor - General stood aside . This is the first time this has happened . His rebuttal of 40 year old rape allegations has the strong ring of truth , with none of the weaknesses of his defence of his actions as an Anglican Bishop in Brisbane . He , like us all , deserves his day in Court , if it ever comes to that .

He should not have stood aside for this reason , this is a political and media witch hunt .

Having said this , his dealings in the Brisbane paedophile case and his defence do leave something to be desired . But , even so , he should not be removed for these actions .

He was the wrong man for the job . This is not his fault , it is the Prime Ministers for picking a person with " suitable " conservative views to his own . The Prime minister has a great weakness in this area , being driven by philosophy rather than applying an ethical , balanced approach and having regard to how these decisions affect the average person in the street . This has led to a " mean and tricky " perception of his government . ( Even his actions today show how he is orchestrating the departure of the Governor - General , this process started several days ago with a junior Minister raising the issue in public . The same " stealthy " process was used to deploy Australian troops to Iraq , despite popular disapproval . )

In this regard , it is worth noting that there is a sense that the Governor - General has changed his spots over the years . He is now seen as being just as concerned with institutional matters as he is with the lot of the masses . This is not to say that he is not a Great Australian , he is , but it does not come through in his present Office .

This perception is magnified by the way in which his immediate predecessor discharged his duties and expanded the role of Governor - General . He was always there , generally on the spot , when his nation needed him . He was outspoken on occasions . He brought us together and did not further expand the gulf being built by the Prime Minister .

There will be a few words on the shambles of Iraq placed here as time permits .

This page is designed to air views on what is happening now in Australia . We do not have a research team working around the clock and suffer from the poor standard of some of the local media reporting . We also have the drawback of coming from middle class backgrounds in what appears below , still this is how we see it .

These issues are becoming more pressing as the federal election draws near .

Alas , so far it has been poll driven and most of what follows is already lost in the dust .

It will be a tragedy if the election is decided on the refugee issue and the actions of a lunatic in Afghanistan .

Somewhere along the line the ism's , eg rationalism have derailed informed and rational thought .The landing of a man on the moon was important because for the first time , we could actually see how insignificant our rock was in the scheme of things . Yet at the same time we saw how unique Earth was , there is nothing like it that we can find to date . The question " Why is this so ? " produces two types of answers , one is that there is a Higher Power which ultimately leads through Religion , Philosophy and Government to Human Rights issues . The second route is through what we call Science and ends with the Environment . These routes are not mutually exclusive .

The bottom line is that if the Laws found along either route are violated , we will no longer continue to exist .

This is where most governments fail in their attempt at good governance and why the present Australian Government has failed .

The irony here is that these failings can be made good at little financial cost , especially if done over a period of time . Well we have not got time and some quite silly policy changes will be made to try to stop what appears to be the inevitable electoral result .

There is a perception of the present government being heartless and of mean spirited . It seems to lack an understanding of how it's decisions impact upon the average Australian . Added to this is the pursuit of ideological issues , for which no electoral mandate was obtained . The doctrine of Ministerial Responsibility seems to have been forgotten , we now have " non core promises " .

This is not to say that the present Opposition is any better , they also seem to be producing policy on the run . But there has been some good policy , were to be introduced in government .

In fact one of the problems is the lack of ability on both sides which we , the electorate , are responsible for .

We are now in a phoney election campaign , one of the results of which is that there will be little government and a lot of electioneering .

Quite frankly , the present mob should go , if they were directors of a public company , they would be in jail , but the other side does not come across as being any better .

These are just a few , of many , issues which require a change in government policy . Some , if not all , involve the States and require strong ( and possibly ruthless ) federal resolve to put right .

SALINITY , WATER USAGE , LOGGING AND WOOD CHIPPING ( ESP. OLD GROWTH FORESTS ) , CARBON EMISSIONS , TRANSPORT and SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONALLY .
( Climate Change )

SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS , SAFETY NET FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS , DETENTION CENTRES , ABORIGINAL RECONCILIATION .

A CLEAR AIM IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS , DEFENCE AND TRADE AND THE ABILITY TO FORCEFULLY COMBINE THESE AREAS OVERSEAS WHEN IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST .

A CONSISTENT EVALUATION OF PROPOSED FOREIGN INVESTMENT , HAVING PROPER REGARD TO THE NATIONAL INTEREST .

SUPPORT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT . THE RESTORATION OF FULL RESEARCH FUNDING TO UNIVERSITIES AND THE CSIRO .

SUPPORT OF FREE SPEECH , DIVERSITY OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING . ADEQUATE FUNDING OF THE ABC AND SBS .

A 15-year-old sexual abuse victim found hanging in an ablution block at an Aboriginal camp might not have committed suicide, the West Australian coroner has said.

State Coroner Alastair Hope handed down his findings yesterday on the death of 15-year-old Susan Anne Taylor who was found hanging at Swan Valley Nyoongar camp on February 12, 1999, just weeks after reporting sexual abuse.

He returned an open verdict on the death, saying it was likely she had committed suicide as a result of sexual abuse, but there had been insufficient evidence for him to draw a firm conclusion.

"I am convinced that past sexual abuse, possibly having taken place over a number of years, played a very important part in the death of Susan," Mr Hope said.

The inquest was told Ms Taylor had been scared to go to the camp, headed by influential elder Robert Bropho, because she had complained to police a month earlier that her uncle, his son Richard, had sexually abused her.

Witnesses said Ms Taylor's pants had been half pulled down and her bra had been undone when her body was found.

They said Ms Taylor had told them of sexual abuse by family members - including Richard and Robert Bropho.

A witness said Ms Taylor had repeatedly told her that Robert Bropho offered her paint-sniffing money and spray paint in return for sex when she was as young as 14.

Director of Derbarl Yerrigan health service Ted Wilkes said he had heard allegations about the sexual abuse of children at the camp by elders for at least 15 years.

But he had been unable to investigate because Mr Bropho would not allow health workers to visit the camp.

In reply, Mr Bropho's counsel said the elder had not wanted Derbarl Yerrigan staff at the camp because he blamed them for a toddler's death years before.

Mr Hope said it was apparent there was widespread rape and sexual abuse generally committed against young Aboriginal persons throughout Western Australia.

He recommended sexual abuse be brought out into the open and that the Health Department retain statistics to identify this abuse, particularly those in relation to cases of sexually transmitted diseases.

He also recommended there should be mandatory reporting by medical practitioners of cases of young people infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

There can be no doubt that there is a difference in standards of existence between the original " owners " of Australia and those of the majority of the present inhabitants . These are facts . Present day governments continue to deny them and try to " shoot the messenger " , in this case the messenger is the United Nations .

Pope John Paul II has sent an apology by e-mail for a string of injustices, including sexual abuse, committed by Roman Catholic clergy in the Pacific nations.

The 81-year-old pontiff transmitted the message, his first virtual apology, in a recent string of statements of contrition, from a laptop in the Vatican's frescoed Clementine Hall on Wednesday.

Reporting on a Synod meeting held in 1998, the Pope wrote that bishops from the region "apologised unreservedly" for the "shameful injustices done to indigenous peoples" in Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific.

"The Church expresses deep regret and asks forgiveness where her children have been or still are party to these wrongs," the document said.

The report singled out the "stolen generation" of at least 30,000 Aboriginal children in Australia who were forcibly separated from their parents in a church-backed government attempt to educate them and assimilate them into white culture.

How this situation came about is history ( some of it is American ) . You can try to rewrite the books or you can fix the problem(s) as they appear now in 2000 ( itself an interesting figure but not so as impressive as 50,000 , that is the estimate for the period of Aboriginal occupation of the continent ) .

This is a national problem , but the States deliver most of the services . There is goodwill and funding but it is largely misplaced . The federal opposition party can take little joy , they created a lot of the current problem . This should be an apolitical ( or at least a bipartisan ) issue .

The present Aboriginal leadership is not without it's problems , but a clear and consistent voice , without too many slogans would help .

This is a Here and Now issue - too many Aboriginals will die this year and there are way too many Aboriginal Australians in jail . A male Aboriginal over 50 is lucky , 50% have died before reaching this age .

( The above was written in February , 2ooo and the italicised words added in May , 2001 . )

A confidential memo from the Federal President of the Liberal Party to the Prime Minister was leaked to the Bulletin magazine and Channel 9 television in late April , 2001 .

" The memo revealed by Channel Nine and the Bulletin magazine, says members are concerned that the Government has been too tricky on issues like the GST on Caravan park rents and excise on beer and petrol. "

Australia is a liberal democracy and we have a responsibility to ourselves and our neighbours to stand up for these values . This is not in the sense of telling others what to do in there internal affairs , but to provide help and assistance as required and to publicise abuses should these occur .

We have a responsibility to provide good , accurate and timely intelligence to our allies , EAST TIMOR should never happen again.

Today , 28 August , 2001 , the Motor Vessel Tampa is at anchor off Christmas Island , it has been refused permission to land . On board are some 400 souls , picked up from an Indonesian vessel which was sinking . These people would appear to be part of the growing number who risk all to come to Australia . ( In this case it appears that the Master has not followed international convention and taken them to the nearest port , which was in Indonesia . )

This is not just an Australian problem , millions in the Third World desire to live in countries like Australia and will do whatever it may take to achieve this . This situation can only be corrected by raising the standard of all countries until we are all , more or less , at an equal living standard .

These would be immigrants are at the mercy of the so called " people smugglers " , corrupt officials etc . In the big picture , they are victims . They are men , women and children , just like us .

But being in a leaky boat does not change the nature of a persons refugee status . They should be judged equally with all other refugees wishing to live in Australia .

Australia has taken many immigrants over the years , far more than most countries in either absolute or percentage terms . As with the USA we are the stronger for it .

Those in distress on the High Seas have always been assisted if they are within the Australian Area of Responsibility , even if they have put themselves at risk by their own foolish actions ( yachtsmen included ) .

Vessels breaching Australian sovereignty should be turned away , by force if necessary .

However , should these souls be successful and reach Australia they should be treated as would be any member of the community . Those who may pose a threat to the community for health or other significant reasons should be detained , otherwise they should be released with adequate means of support .

The present Mandatory Detention Policy must go in the interests of demonstrating to the world that Australia believes in and observes basic human rights .

Firstly , there is a " refugee " route to Australia through Indonesia . It is highly organised with agents and safe houses in a number of port cities . These " people smugglers " are well connected with local authorities and hence can procure premises , buses , vessels and crews . There is a strong suggestion of the involvement of the same military organisation that laid waste to Timor . People smuggling is a perk , a source of cash on the side , just as were
various " concessions " on Timor .

Last year over 4,000 have passed through Indonesia to Australia in this way . This year another 4,000 have come . As this is written another 4,000 - 5,000 are waiting in Indonesia to make the trip .

( These " refugees " come to Indonesia by air or sea from Malaysia ( where no visas are required ) or other countries . Pakistan is a staging point . At present the largest group are from Afghanistan , which has a regime only recognised by a handful of countries . Others come from the middle east , particularly Iraq and Iran . Many are Christians .

There are several million refugees worldwide and as Europe tightens restrictions , more look to Australia and New Zealand . ( New Zealand residency allows migration to Australia after a qualifying period . )

Once accepted into a host country , former refugees can live and work in the host country . Varying amounts of assistance are given and after a period of residency , citizenship is generally available . Once accepted into a " First World " country , it is easier to migrate to another country which may have been the first choice host .

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has established camps to establish the bone fides of refugees and arrange for their movement to countries such as Australia ( Canada , US etc ) . The UNHCR requirements are stricter than those applied to refugees once they are on Australian soil . In fact over 80 % of refugees reaching Australia are accepted by Australia .

The effects of this are twofold , more deserving refugees are left in the camps as their places are taken ( all destination countries have some sort of refugee quota ) and a demand for the services of people smugglers is generated .

The sea trip to Australia is perilous . The people smugglers are not stupid they overload old vessels which are cheap and expendable . These vessels regularly break down in International Waters .

What is in it for the people smugglers ? People smuggling is a low risk and low capital business which has a high short term return . In many ways it is better than the drug business as no purchaser or distribution system is required in Australia . The cost for each refugee to travel to Australia is in the region of $US 4,000 - 5,000 ( this is about 10 times their annual earnings ) .

In the case of the Tampa , this is a gross of 2 million dollars less the cost of the boat , crew , bribes and ground transport and holding costs in Indonesia . Net profit is between $ US 1,500,000 and 1,750,000 , not bad for a few weeks work !

Australia has a strong quarantine program and many diseases present in Indonesia are not present in Australia . Exotic disease is a major threat to both farm and native flora and fauna and to the Australian population . This is the reason for medical tests and the destruction of the mostly wooden boats used . This fact has escaped the US ABC news organisation , so far .

Secondly , the MV Tampa was in International Waters , in an area where Indonesia has search and rescue responsibility . Australian authorities detected the floundering refugee vessel and alerted their Indonesian counterparts . ( This is not unusual as Australia has invested in advanced SAR equipment over the years . )

Indonesia requested Australia to arrange the rescue on it's behalf and cleared the Tampa to take the refugees to the Indonesian port that it was originally sailing to .

Understandably , once on board , the refugees refused to be taken back to Indonesia and insisted on being taken to Christmas Island , which was much further away and has no port facilities . ( The crew of 27 was somewhat outnumbered . ) At the island there are two moorings , neither of which are large enough for the Tampa . The ocean is too deep to anchor and the ship is now slowly manoeuvring 4 miles of the Island . The only way of transport to the shore is by small boat . ( Australia has now dismantled a helicopter , flown it in and reassembled it . )

The captain declared his ship to be in distress as a result of the medical condition of some refugees and entered Australian Territorial Waters , without permission . Medical aid has been provided and it has transpired that there were no serious cases , although there are 4 pregnant women on board .

Australia has deployed it's mostly highly trained troops , the SAS , to the vessel to protect the Australian medical team aboard , prevent the refugees from carrying out threats of self harm ( including jumping overboard ) and to secure the vessel . At present the ship's Captain is happy to have the SAS on board . Food , water , toilets etc have been provided .

To complicate the situation , Indonesia is now refusing to take the refugees back .

Last night New Zealand indicated a willingness to take some of those on board . If a number of countries combined to take this group of refugees it may be a way out of this impasse .

This is not a " Voyage of the Damned " situation , Australian public opinion will not let it become that .

The world has deal with the economic , political and human rights issues which have led to these souls becoming refugees .

The Norwegian Captain is to be congratulated upon his conduct , even if some rules were bent a little along the way .

Indonesia must look long and hard at it's actions in this matter , including the future adoption the UN Refugee Convention ( as Australia has done ) and the shutting down of people smuggling within it's boarders . A joint operation with the Australian Federal Police has forced some smugglers out of Java , however there have been no prosecutions to date .

Australia needs to put more Immigration officials into areas accessible to these potential immigrants , before they decide to undertake their long and dangerous journeys .

In the last few hours there has been a suggestion that the refugees should be taken to Timor . Timor had it's first free election yesterday under the auspicious of the UN . At present it is being run by an UN Transitional Authority . Many thousands of Timorese refugees are still returning from West Timor and resources are limited .

This suggestion is not as silly as it may at first sound . Timor is neutral territory which the UN , with Timorese agreement , could use to " process " this group of refugees using additional resources from Australia and other countries . All countries involved come away with a " win " , the people smugglers have a loss and the genuine asylum seekers receive asylum ( although their stay on board may be extended ) .

The Timorese leadership have just indicated , on radio , that they would look favourably upon this proposal , subject to adequate funding and subject to it being for a short period of time .

As time goes on and fuel runs out , the dust rises from assorted public interest groups . We all wish a speedy end to this Human Crisis .

It is now1September and late yesterday an interim injunction was granted by the Australian Federal Court to stop the Tampa being moved by the Australian Government . This matter is back in court today . An Australian Frigate is now in the area and the vessel has been visited by the Norwegian Ambassador .

The UN has produced a plan involving the landing and initial processing of refugees on Christmas Island . These people would be transported to unnamed host countries .

2 September , the injunction has been continued and the hearing continues today . The Australian Government has a plan to transport the refugees to New Zealand ( 150 ) and Nauru ( 410 ) for processing . Nauru is a small island state in the vicinity of Fiji in the Pacific . It appears that Australia is to pay all of Nauru's costs . This will be a source of foreign exchange following the wind down of its phosphate industry . Nauru has a flexible banking system , which is a nice way of saying that it is the money laundering business .

Apparently conditions on board have improved slightly with additional blankets etc being provided .

So the overall picture is unchanged , the refugees will do anything to get ashore to become subject to favourable Australian immigration law and the Government will do what it can to stop them .

Every country , like every family , has it's own paranoias . For Australia , one such fear is the fear of invasion from the North . The first great perceived invasion threat was as a British colony in the late 1800 ' s . The Russians were going to sail into Sydney Harbour ! It did not happen , but some of the fortifications remain today .

Next was the great yellow peril threat . One of the first acts of the Federal Parliament in 1901 was to introduce what became known as the " White Australia Policy " . At the outbreak of WW I Australia was still protected by the British Navy , which departed for Europe , leaving the task to the Japanese Navy ! Between the wars the building of the Australian Navy continued from it's pre WW I beginnings . The main strategic defence was again left to England .

The Australian economy has always relied upon the export of primary products ( agricultural and mineral ) , although this is changing with high end goods and services becoming more significant . Secure sea lanes have always been an essential element of Australian Defence Strategy .

When England declared War on Germany in 1939 , Australia also declared War , fighting in the Middle and Far East . At the time of the ill fated Greek Campaign Australian troops were brought back to defend the country from the growing threat from Japan . This was done on the orders of the Australian Prime Minister despite intense pressure from Churchill and the Imperial War Cabinet .

( A distrust of foreign commanders in command of Australian troops had also grown from the carnage resulting from frontal assaults in WW I , see Battle of Hamel . )

Therefore , there is precedent for Australian Prime Ministers to be unmoved by international opinion . This can be said of most leaders at one time or another .

In December , 1941 , with the fall of Singapore , our international protector became the USA .

In 1942 the Japanese were stopped from advancing Southward at sea by the US Navy ( Coral Sea and Midway ) and on land by Australia in New Guinea .

During this period Darwin was bombed many times and a few shells landed in Sydney . There was a real fear of invasion from the North , both along the northern and eastern coasts . This fear lingers today in the back of some minds , particularly amongst the over 50 population .

Now , in 2001 , there is no immediate military threat . But , in the past 2 years , approximately 100 refugee vessels have landed on the coast . One even travelled half way down the East Coast .

( Australia has thousands of miles of thinly populated coastline . It is protected by a relatively sophisticated surveillance system , which we assume was used to detect the boat that the Tampa refugees were rescued from . )

As in most other western countries , an extreme right wing political party has emerged . Our version is called the One Nation Party . It's main support is in the bush , which is fairing badly for many reasons such as globalisation , lack of infrastructure , etc . There are pro and anti immigration groups . There is a minority feeling that some UN conventions are too restrictive . In recent state elections the One Nation Party has had some success because of our preferential system of voting . One Nation is not popular in the cities , where most of the voters live .

This , very briefly , is the domestic political dimension to the Tampa situation .

3 September , it appears the Australian Government plan to move the refugees to Papua New Guinea for onward air movement is a step closer . A naval transport is at Christmas Island and there are reports that the refugees are keen to get going .

The Australian naval presence in northern waters is to be increased with a view to turning vessels away . The domestic debate over immigration policy has become more heated over the weekend .

4 September , by now the Tampa should be on it 's way to Singapore and the refugees likewise on the naval transport to New Guinea . The Christmas Islanders are planning a fireworks display to farewell their visitors .

A compromise , based on a Legal Fiction ( that the refugees are still on board the Tampa ) was reached and the Habeas Corpus proceedings continue .

Locally the debate over government policy continues , at times degenerating into race and religion at the edges . Sooner or later the larger world refugee problem will be back in the debate ( we hope ) .

Now that this saga is closer to resolution and most of the background has been canvassed , it is our intention to only mention major developments here in the future .

Today , 23 October , we have heard of the deaths of 350 people who were drowned trying to come to Australia , some 50 of which had been recognised as Refugees by the UNHCR . Why did they take this risk ? Well there are over 500 souls , at present in Indonesia and recognised as genuine refugees , but NO COUNTRY WILL ACCEPT THEM AS SUCH . This is not just an Australian problem , it is a world problem . Tonight neither Coalition or Labor Parties would accept the need to raise the present quota from 12,000 , so much for morality , they are scared of One Nation .

The Labor Party is right in saying that this is a problem that must be dealt with in Indonesia . This is the country where the smugglers flourish and these unseaworthy vessels set sail from . Surely both governments can see the sense in stopping this trade .

Most of these have been raised before , but they have been swept under the carpet by the Tampa and World Issues .

Despite the rhetoric , these home issues are still the main issues of the election .

We take great exception to some of the sensational , " shock jock " media who have distorted the overseas issues . They have not only played on the gullible , but have done this for their own gain , this is a disgrace . The only way we can stop this is by complaining to the stations and the government
regulators . Remember these people after this matter is gone .

A recent statement by Julie Bishop , MP about the government's response to the present refugee situation is totally supported by this site .

After reading this page it is up to you , dear Australian visitor , to make your choice this Saturday . Does what is on this page count , or do you want more of the same so called vision and leadership ?

( Maybe we shall get lucky and some of the lesser minds of both parties will not be re-elected . )

This page has to date been , as best we could make it , non partisan . We have avoided supporting any political party , preferring to raise issues and leave them to you .

Today , Friday , 9 November , we are recommending that you vote for the Federal Opposition , the Australian Labour
Party , tomorrow .

We have changed our position because , as reported today in most Australian newspapers , it now appears that the Government has purposely distorted the situation with a group of refugees at sea . In an incident which recently occurred it was alleged that these people were throwing their children into the sea in an attempt to force Australia to accept them . We were told that these were evil people , unsuitable to be accepted into Australian society . We were told that the Navy had video tape of these events . This was not true , as revealed yesterday by the Chief of the Navy yesterday .

We acknowledge that the Australian economy is in a far better state than when the present government first took office , some six years ago . We also acknowledge that some government reforms were sorely needed , example waterfront reform .

We have seen the abandonment of several United Nations Human Rights Conventions by Australia .

We are witnessing a decline in most public services , seemingly for cost cutting reasons .

We are witnessing a marked decline in public education . Tertiary education has particularly suffered with flow on effects to Australian research . This is unforgivable , it condemns subsequent generations to educational mediocrity .

The Goods and Services Tax was brought in with little initial regard for it's effects upon the underprivileged and the administrative burden on small business .

The Government seems to have lost the plot in domestic affairs and we see little vision in this campaign .

Well , the Government is back with an increased majority . As Ned Kelly said , " Such is life " .

All of what we were concerned with did not count for much , the election was swamped by security concerns . Of course , nothing has changed and these other issues are still there , waiting to bite .

These security concerns were brilliantly used by the Prime Minister to secure his Government's re-election . ( It is worth remembering that getting his side elected is a Prime Minister's primary duty . )

At least the vote for Hanson and her One Nation Party was more than halved .

The new Government will have a stronger negotiating position with Indonesia . This may stop the needless deaths of refugees attempting to enter Australia by boat .

Today 19 February , 2002 is an appropriate day to draw a line in the sand and look at what is happening today in Australia .

We have won a second Olympic Gold Medal , albeit in unusual circumstances . But it is also 60 years since the Japanese began to bomb Darwin . ( More bombs were dropped on Darwin in the following 21 months than on Pearl Harbour ) . Singapore had fallen days before . This was the beginning of the linkage to America in defence matters .

Domestically two issues dominate , both of the who said what and when type .

The seminal issue of the last Federal election was the asylum seeker issue and in particular claims of children being thrown into the water . These claims were false . The Prime Minister should have known , or at least should have made himself aware of , the fallacy of these claims . This is the local ethical version of the recent US presidential election .

The second issue involves the Queen's Representative , the Governor General of Australia . The present incumbent is ( was ) an Archbishop of the Anglican Church , which leads to establishmentarian issues ( the separation of Church and State ) .

During the period of his appointment to the Brisbane Diocese , a number of child sexual abuse cases were not dealt with in a way which Christian compassion would call for . This matter is degenerating into a political slanging match with constitutional overtones , even though it does not directly affect the performance of official duties .

There is a common thread in these sagas , a story of human weakness , where the interests of the individual are subjugated to the perceived greater good and / or the achievement of high office . This is not to suggest impropriety . Both men have acted honourably as so far revealed , but their judgement has been doubtful , if not flawed .

( 18 March ) Somehow public comment , last week , seemed to be diverted by an attack upon a High Court Judge which was made under parliamentary privilege . We wonder at the timing of this attack , given the issues raised in the preceding paragraphs on this page .

( The owner of this site has had passing contact with the Justice concerned over the years . This attack is rubbish . )

The Prime Minister is doing little to restrain this attack , it seems to fit well within his philosophy of Social Conservatism . This is a poll driven philosophy which attacks the right of the individual to indulge in any form of alternative lifestyle or to hold or advocate these beliefs . ( See also The Lyons Forum . )

A further concern is the continuing decline in federal funding to the universities over the past decade . Social Conservatism and Economic Rationalism have ripped the heart out of these institutions , limiting informed public debate on many " social issues " and governmental policies ( e.g. environment , foreign policy and immigration ) . There are also serious research implications from this lack of funding .

The Prime Minister is now off to London to have Zimbabwe suspended from the Commonwealth , let us hope that his resolve is as strong as it was in the case of EAST TIMOR .

( 20 March ) "Although there has been some improvement since 1996, as a nation we are not sustainable in environmental concerns," Australian State of the Environment Committee chairman Bruce Thom said yesterday.

One for the PM , Zimbabwe is suspended from the Commonwealth for twelve months . There are growing calls for fresh elections .

( 24 September ) Now is a time to look closely at any US led venture in Iraq , if it is not supported by the United Nations . Such an action will no nothing for peace in the long term . It is distressing to see changes in Australian Policy immediately after phone calls from Washington .

We are taking our eyes off the most important areas for our defence , Indonesia , New Guinea , West New Guinea and the Solomons . All of these areas have massive internal problems such as non functioning legal and police systems .

The proposed US Free Trade Agreement requires a very close look . One area is the demand to curtail the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme , which is a world benchmark for drug pricing , it is the reason why drug prices in Australia can be 1/3 of the US price .

It may be in Australia's longer term interest to step away from agreements with the US until after the next US Presidential Election .

JOINT SITTING OF THE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT

23 October , 2003

Mr CREAN (Hotham�Leader of the Opposition)

Jack Moses was born in Sydney and spent most of his working life as a commercial traveller ... - The Dog on the Tuckerbox ...

� 2000 - 2006 SPANKOZ AUSTRALIA / SILVERSTREAM MARKETING
( please copy , publish and acknowledge the source )