Posts Tagged ‘Julia Gillard’
What Stops a Nation? A Horse Race or an Airline?
Tuesday is Melbourne Cup Day, the “Race That Stops A Nation”. I don’t know why any more – most of the runners are not Australian horses! Today, however, there is something much bigger stopping our nation: Qantas. The national airline, the one that still calls Australia home!
Reading The Age, which is carrying several articles and a live Twitter feed, Qantas didn’t see fit to inform the Government of the plans to ground the airline. Qantas gounding seen hurting airline and economy is one headline.
It came as an embarrassment for Prime Minister Julia Gillard who was hosting a summit of Commonwealth leaders in the western city of Perth, 17 of them booked to fly out on Sunday with Qantas.
This is big. Not only are many of the Commonwealth leaders stranded, the impact on the Cup will be dramatic.
Who is at fault here? I don’t know. I’ve had my own issues to concentrate on of late and to be honest I’ve not been keeping up with the situation other than catch snatches of commentary on the radio whilst driving to work.
I DO know this is not good for our international reputation and I do know the government should have been keeping a closer eye on the situation. To all those involved, perhaps it is time to find a common ground for the benefit of our nation. I’m not suggesting the unions back down if their claims are valid (are they?) nor am I suggesting the airline cave in either. I am suggesting there has to be a common ground you can all reach.
Reach it now, before we look too damn stupid on the global stage. We have one of the world’s strongest, if not THE strongest, economies at the moment. But we let this happen? How did this happen?
Tony Abbott – do not do it!
Good grief, what politicians will do to win power. One of the benefits of living in Australia, at least I believe it is still a benefit, is the right to criticise our politicians, even if we are of the same persuasion!
While Mr Abbott continued to condemn the Malaysia option, the carrot for him is that the proposed changes would ensure as prime minister he could send people to Nauru.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/abbott-muddies-water-on-boats-20110912-1k63e.html#ixzz1Xn2wbdfj
Furthermore:
A separate change would also ensure the minister could send children offshore without having to establish this was in their best interests.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/abbott-muddies-water-on-boats-20110912-1k63e.html#ixzz1Xn37Hz84
No. Definitely not.
May I remind ALL politicians of the requirements of the International Refugee Convention as discussed by Michael Pearce:
Withdrawal from Refugee Convention may be last resort
At first I thought, “What? We can’t do that!” then I read the article. Michael takes an extremely pragmatic approach to the debate, together with presenting a fresh perspective.
Public policy in Australia seems to have reversed the legal position. The major parties and public opinion seem to say that we should refuse refuge to those who reach our shores and seek asylum because that denies refuge to those in the so-called queue. That is, we should abrogate an obligation which is legally binding on us so that we can comply with an imagined obligation by which we are not, in fact, bound.
Michael goes on to say (emphasis added):
This course will no doubt be very unpopular in some quarters and for good reason. It would signal to all that we, one of the richest countries in the world with enviable space and resources to spare, did not want to share with the bedraggled and desperate few who, by good fortune, wash up on our shores. But this is only to tell the truth about who and what we are as a people.
Would that more people listen to people like Michael.
Why this desire for off-shore processing? What exactly does it achieve? Why the desire to send unaccompanied children off-shore? What does that achieve?
Chris Bowen needs to read some history.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said unaccompanied minors presented ”very emotional and difficult issues”. ”The overriding obligation is to say to parents, ‘Do not risk the lives of your children to get the prospect of a visa in Australia.’ ”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/abbott-muddies-water-on-boats-20110912-1k63e.html#ixzz1Xn5AF2xs
Parents don’t send unaccompanied children in order to get a visa – they send them to save their lives. What of all the unaccompanied children sent here from England many years ago? Was that OK because they were English? I actually work with a woman who is friends with a person who was sent by their parents to Australia to save that (then) child’s life in precisely the same way children are being sent now. Unless Mr Bowen is totally oblivious to the realities of life, he knows in his heart if he were faced with the same decisions some of these parents are faced with he would do EXACTLY the same thing. So would any parent. Do not make glib comments in the media to try to paint parents as being in the wrong for trying to save their children.
Australia MUST remove the guardianship of these children from the position of Minister for Immigration. It is hard to imagine a greater conflict of interest existing. How this came about is beyond comprehension.
The news is annoying me…
I’ve been watching/reading the media and can’t really find anything to get my teeth into. Maybe I’m just jet lagged still.
I am about over Charlie Sheen’s antics (isn’t everyone?). Northwestern University’s Professor J. Michael Bailey arranged for the demonstration of a sex toy in a tutorial, causing quite a stir: in fact far too much of a stir when there are far more important things to worry about. Too many police have searched through the details of the St Kilda young lady saga, so we are told. This is surprising why? Kevin Rudd is trying to rule the world or at least make sure he leaves a sizeable carbon footprint.
The unrest in the middle east continues and while this situation is of global importance and the loss of life terrible sad, it is not an issue I really want to delve into. I was a little to close for comfort recently when protests started in Oman while I was in Qatar. Seems I missed meeting up with Kevin in Abu Dhabi by a day.
I see an article about the Victorian Government allegedly blackmailing Melbourne University and decide I really do not want to know – someone else can take that on board.
Lady Gaga has, thankfully, taken legal action against the makers of breast milk ice cream, but only for the name – the ice cream will probably stay.
Will the media PLEASE stop referring to Julia’s partner as First Bloke? I don’t care what side of politics any of us are on, this is our NATION we are talking about here and frankly I think we can come up with a better title that doesn’t make US all look like country yokels on the world stage.
I’ll almost be glad when the real footy season starts – at least the front pages will be predictable, if nothing else.
Xenophobia
As many readers may know, I have been out of the country visiting my husband. This article is therefore several days old, but it was brought to my attention upon my return by themoleblogger.
Ross Gittins raises some very interesting points about the asylum seeker debate, looking specifically at the reactions of people and how those reactions can be manipulated by politicians and the media.
What we need are more members of the media speaking out clearly. We need to acknowledge the problems and challenge the moral panic that seems to be gripping this country. We need to find our humanity again.
Ross says, “…in their efforts to gratify and exploit public resentment of ”illegals”, governments of both colours have given the highest priority to preventing individual asylum seekers from telling their stories to the media. They must continue to be seen as monstrous invaders, never as flesh and blood.”
It is time we, the people, took a stand. We must make it clear we will not be manipulated for political advantage. Or are you happy to be a tool of unhumanity? The choice is yours.
Who locked up the children?
This article today runs with the opening phrase of “Julia Gillard locks up …”
No, Julia Gillard doesn’t lock up anyone. WE, the Australian citizens are locking up these children, just as we did under Howard (which the article also refers to).
Prime Ministers do not do these things personally. Prime Ministers and parliaments (assuming we are indeed a democracy) are simply doing what WE, the citizens, ask them or tell them or let them do. WE are personally responsible, every single one of us. For WE give the power.
Time for us to voice our disapproval of what our representatives are doing in OUR name.
Quizzically Musing 