Like breath of fresh air are the current announcements of Federal Labor, decisions that strike at the heart of grass root Australians. The $300 million to Local Governments,(from someone who continually monitors Local Government, here's hoping the money is spent in the spirit it has been given). Well done Kevin, protection to the HMAS Sydney also; the list goes on. Though we do not agree with all of the initiatives, Bravo Zulu Mr Rudd & the Cabinet !
Kevin Grose
Baffle Creek QLD
20 November 2008
__________________________Congratulations to the Federal Government on the reasonable funding for local government infrastructure. This ought to establish more work and also lead to permanent jobs.
Chris White
Turner ACT
20 November 2008
___________________________It is interesting to see the Federal Government's transplant organ donation incentive. I am on kidney dialysis and, to date, have not even been able to get on to the transplant list here in Queensland. I am hoping that this incentive will allow me to be considered for the transplant list.
Markham Ryland
Kallangur QLD
19 November 2008
_________________________________I think it is a disgrace that the Federal Opposition has blocked the Fuelwatch, as I know from friends in WA that it does work. Shame on the Liberals. But it does not surprise me.
Moira Morgan
Kilsyth VIC
18 November 2008
____________________________Regarding the matter of greenhouse emissions and the campaign to reduce house hold power consumption, it beggars belief that anyone would seriously consider that frugal domestic consumption will achieve anything. The business community continues to schedule night sport and bands and has even suggested a GP race - the power requirements for such events are enormous. Any serious interest in power consumption reduction demands attention in this area. We did survive on daylight activities in the past we can do it again.
Peter Faux
Burrum Heads QLD
18 November 2008
____________________ The world is breathing a sigh of relief as they welcome Barak Obama to the White House. I think Australia is breathing a sigh of relief that we have Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard,Wayne Swan and the Labor team. There are so many issues to deal with now and these are such hard times for the average person. I have not received the full rate cuts from the bank, although I received the full rate rises from them very timely as the interest rates went up. I am wondering what is happening for the poor people who have just bought homes and have fixed interest rates. Shouldn't the banks show some mercy seeing they were the cause of this problem. It's just an idea but it seems so fair to me.
Janet Kueng
Howard QLD
17 November 2008
____________________________I've been part of the union campaign for a universal paid parental leave scheme. I welcomed the Productivity Commission's draft report as an important first step in getting a paid parental leave scheme we can be proud of in Australia. However, I've been very concerned to hear comments that paid parental leave may drop off the list of priorities for the 2009 budget due to the economic crisis. The government is implementing a series of other measures to stimulate the economy - which is exactly what paid parental leave would do. We've waited long enough for a paid parental leave scheme!
Sarah Gardner
Redfern NSW
17 November 2008
_____________________________I am most concerned that the current target for control of greenhouse gas emission by 2020 is under threat in the upcoming debate. We need to have a minimum target of 30%. Clean energy please.
Jennifer Whichello
Hazelbrook NSW
17 November 2008
_________________________I know it is a legacy of the previous government, but while the discrimination against people over 30 with no medical insurance continues, they won't go back. Demolish the health insurance life time cover extra charges for people over 30 and they might actually go back into the medical funds. Government doesn't discriminate against age in the workforce, yet it certainly does in this case. I am lucky I was born in the UK, and if I have a terminal illness, I will go back there.
Ian Linwood
Peachester QLD
16 November 2008
____________________ We are really faced with a ticking time bomb, when you consider what is happening to the world, not so much financially but the environment and still we do not learn. The world is clearing forest at alarming rates. These forests help to suck up carbons but we prefer to reduce carbon production by containing industry outputs, and carbon emissions from cars. Replacement tree plantations do nothing for the wildlife as the basics of wildlife is diversity, and in destroying that we destroy ourselves as we are destroying a balance. What we have done in producing carbons, poising the sea, removing forest have all had a impact on the food chain. And when the food shortages become worse, countries will only push their boundaries, leading to more disaster.
Walter Christy
Shearwater TAS
16 November 2008
____________________________
Regarding the Lord's Prayer being spoken at the beginning of a parliamentary session - I think that's not right. I'm a Catholic, but believe strongly in a separation of church and state. Yes, people have their beliefs and they will always affect their decisions, but to have one religion dominating in such a way is wrong and can't be representative of the diverse Australian community.
Shauna Glenough
Perth WA
15 November 2008
____________________ Carbon trading is a necessary idea but it will only work if there are companies that already have credits to sell. Will ordinary Aussies who recycle, put in water tanks, make their homes more energy efficient get credits for their individual efforts? To make this truly work, you have to start a cultural meme that includes everyone. Easy to say, hard to do but I know that ordinary Aussies are already forging ahead in our own small ways because we can /see/ that this is real. Hopefully once companies see that the carbon scheme is real they'll stop sitting on their hands and wasting money on lobbying and get stuck into /doing/ something.
Andrea Flory
Warrandyte VIC
15 November 2008
______________________________I lived in WA for 23 years and believe I saved hundreds of dollars through the WA Fuelwatch scheme. I received an email twice per day advising me of the price of fuel within ten kilometres of home. Often the prices would vary by up to ten or twelve cents per litre. To fill my car took usually 70 litres so you can assess the impact quite easily. And when I went on a country trip, I could log in and find where was the best place to fill up along the way. This scheme is the only true way that competition among the oil companies can be generated. The Senate's defeat of the Rudd Government's Fuelwatch bill was a sad day for Australian motorists outside WA.
Ian Henderson
Holt ACT
14 November 2008
______________________________Trees do a great job collecting and recycling CO2 but the oceans are even better. Cool the oceans and they will absorb more CO2 than the forests could do in the same period. By adding iron filings to the oceans, phytoplankton grow and they cool the ocean and the oceans absorbs CO2. Te bi-product is Oxygen back to the atmosphere, and that can't be bad!
John Hannon
Thuringowa QLD
14 November 2008
_____________________________A big thumbs up to Stephen Smith & friends for boosting aid to the Congo! Fantastic! Please keep going to our Millennium Goal of 0.7% GNI in aid to our neighbours who need it. I will be encouraging my school and friends to donate $7 out of the $1000 Mr Rudd is kindly giving each child in December to local or overseas aid projects. Much as I appreciate the extra money to pay bills & (public) school fees, I'd rather see it go to people who need it more than me - I have food on the table & medical care & a home. Thanks for the good work, keep it up!
Alison Cutter
Kew VIC
14 November 2008
____________________ I refer to the proposed Australia wide OSH Act to replace the various State and Territory OSH Acts. As an OSH practitioner, I think it is an Idea whose time has come. Thank goodness we have a Labor Federal Government guiding this process - the Howard Liberal Government's attempt would have resulted in less workplace safety law, and hence less protection, for Austrailan employees. Keep OSH law strong - protect your right to a safe workplace.
Bruce Campbell
Perth WA
13 November 2008
____________________
Malcolm Turnbull's attacks on Prime Minister Rudd are worse than the alleged leak. By perpeputating the leak as published here and in America, he is drawing world wide attention to something that would have blown over in a day. Surely an Opposition Leader cannot be so naive that he thinks he can say anything just to score points! By opening his mouth and keeping it open he is causing far more mischief for the people of this country.
Name Withheld
Kariong NSW
13 November 2008
_____________________________Perhaps some feasibility studies could be done on floating a large array of solar collecters on Warragamba Dam? They would reduce evaporation and connect straight into the electricity grid via the hydro-electric station, which I imagine is running at negligible levels
Keith Ashdown
Warrimoo NSW
13 November 2008
____________________
I am sickened by the arrogance and
front of Malcolm Turnbull presenting himself as 'the financial guru'. Surely we
all remember it was the Howard government's privatisation of public services
that has exacerbated our position in housing affordability and in education - and
of course in child care, which was transferred to heavily subsidised entrepreneurs who
became overnight millionaires.
Betty Birskys
Kawana QLD
12 November 2008
_____________________________
Great work guys...keep it up. Ignore Malcolm Turnbull - he has simply no idea about Middle Australia.
Judy Marcic
Argenton NSW
12 November 2008
_____________________________I believe the way forward for Australia is to invest in the bush. Try to get the people out of cities and form new cities in the country areas or spread the load of population across country areas. I live in a small country town called Eidsvold in Queensland. We are struggling because of shrinking population. We have a good lifestyle and we have vacant homes for people to live and yet there are homeless people in cities. We have people struggling to buy homes in the cities and you can buy a home under $150,000 in Eidsvold. That is my solution to a whole gambit of problems in Australia.
Noel Thompson
Eidsvold QLD
11 November 2008
______________________________I think it is time that we stop the corporate growth of child care. The care and education of children has no place on the stock exchange. ABC centres should be returned to the community and managed by the community. They are the ones that know what they want. No community, not for profit centre has ever cost the taxpayer $22 million. It is time to say that child care should not be for profit, especially as the government has been subsidising these profits through Child Care Benefit.
Jeremy Pook
Seaton SA
11 November 2008
_________________________________Stuart pianos (made in Newcastle) are internationally accepted as world-class and sell world-wide. The previous Liberal government bought Steinways for their embassies despite Stuart pianos being considered equivalent or better in musical circles. I could never understand why. I own a Stuart piano but have no other connection to the business. I do support however excellence which is why I bought a Stuart rather than a Steinway myself. I'd like the government to consider supporting this innovative and excellent Australian company, and order Stuart pianos for important venues.
Sandy Libling
Centennial Park NSW
10 November 2008
________________________I have serious concerns about the proposed mandatory internet filtering
initiative. Given the importance the Government has attached to modernising the
broadband network, pursuing a policy that can only slow down and increase the
costs of home internet access seems misguided. Australian households are
diverse, and most do not have young children, so mandating a one-size-fits-all
clean feed approach will not serve the public well. Also, given the amount of internet
content available, the Government will never be able to classify it all and
filters will always result in an unacceptable level of over-blocking.
Dean Allen
Trott Park SA
10 November 2008
________________________________ Re the Home Owners Grant, why not give $14,000 to those who want to buy property in the city (eg, Sydney region) and $21,000 who buy property in a rural township. It's called depopulation of major cities. This would assist in reduction of traffic, pollution, and perhaps crime from overcrowding.
Rhondda Hart
_____________________________
Michael Angel
___________________________
Edith Cleland
_____________________________
I am like most people in our local area - we have a mortgage and are doing or best to cover the cost of this mortgage. I understand the importance of banks maintaining healthy business profits but I think they should accept some reduction in profits and pass on the full interest rate cuts. We are all feeling the pain due to the current economic crisis that was developed by the financial sector, so it should only be fair that they accept some of the pain as well.
Peter O'Reilly
_______________________________
I am writing to express my concern about the closure of the Academy of Music in South Melbourne. We have gained much benefit from this facility which has enabled young performers to remain in Australia for a period of intense study in performance skills. We have excellent musicians and perfoming centres in Australia and have made great advances in these areas over the last 15 years or so. Please reconsider the decision to close the Acadamy.
Prue Brown
____________________
While it is true that children should not be exposed to violent or pornographic content on the internet, there is other more efficient and less expensive ways to do this that the proposed internet filtering. Educating parents on how to keep their children safe on the internet would do wonders. Also, making sure to advertise home based internet filtering (such as the software used in the current NetAlert scheme) would benefit families without slowing down Australia's internet, breaking banking encryptions and taking away civil liberties.
Liam O'Sullivan
___________________________
Wonderful result, Obama the new President elect of the US. George Bush of course with his popularity rating of around 20% will not apologise for the enemies he has created for his country by attacking and threatening countries without justification and causing of hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths. And John Howard of course will not hand back the several medals awarded to him by Israel and apologise to all Australians for joining in the Bush wars and causing our country to have enemies we did not have before.
Frank Crichlow
__________________________
Let's hear positive talk about the economy instead of this constant gloom and doom talk, grim news that we seem to be hearing day in and day out . Focus on the positives, not the negatives, and then the community picks up on this and acts more positively too. Instead of seeing the glass half empty, why not see it more as the glass half full, then things will get better. Things are pretty good out there so stop dwelling on the negatives so much! The media is doing this as well and this just causes problems.
Sue Fisher
_________________________
I would like to say a hearty thank-you to the Rudd Government for the proposed inclusion of iodine in bread products. As someone who has had thyroid problems and faces removal of some of it, it is very important for me to have sufficient iodine and a very welcome move. Keep up the good work.
Anne Every
___________________
William Noble
Ray Manley
_______________________
I agree with the comments of Vinaya Natarajan (27 October). There are many multicultural festivals in our part of Australia and growing numbers attend. But you missed from your list the Aboriginal culture. Because the Aboriginals are the first Australians, we do need to weave some of the amazing Aboriginal culture into our "Brand Australia". In NZ, they teach Maori culture in schools as part of the curriculum, and every Kiwi male Maori, Pakeha, Chinese, African etc can do the Haka. It's stirring to watch. This is only one of the bits of Maoridom that are woven into "Brand Kiwi". I don't think that Paul Hogan tossing shrimps on a barbie, transvestites roaming the desert on a bus, Nicole Kidman riding a horse and Lara Bingle on a beach calling out 'where the hell are ya' quite do it for Australia.
Olive Weir
____________________
I read in the paper that the Government is going to introduce an internet filter to filter out all sorts of things. If it targeted child pornographic sites only, I would have no problem with that. But I do have a problem with it slowing up the internet speed, and encroaching on other areas. Is the next step to filter out information against the government of the day? Don't do this. The loss of freedom is not worth it in the long run.
David Simpson
____________________
I suggest the government allow all people 55 years of age or over, who are retired or semi-retired, to access their superannuation funds completely free of income tax and free of any capital gains tax and any other tax/charges. The benefits of doing this are many - especially with the current credit crisis. It would provide a much needed big boost to consumer spending; reducepersonal debt; increase people leaving the workforce and thus provide more jobs, keeping a lid on unemployment; boost the housing market (retired people would sell their large home and downsize); increase bank savings and retail investments by people with surplus cash funds; and boost the stockmarket.
Nino Molar
_______________________________
I would like to express my view that the Federal Government should do more to help support and improve public transport. While delivery is a State Government responsibility, the federals should fund projects that improve and expand the infrastructure. And with carbon trading, it's vital that electric urban public transport (trains and trams) not be penalised, and that some consideration is given to its overall environmental benefits.
Michael Pearce
__________________________
At the moment Westfarmers is looking at buying Coles Supermarket (food and petrol outlets). If the Federal Government bought Coles, they could provide the real competition Australians need. We know the ACCC had some idea of collusion between Coles and Woolworths and having the Federal Government competing should help bring down prices. For those that say it will take away competition, then where has it been with Coles and Woolworths? Doing this would also help to stock shelves with Australian goods and provide incentives to Australian industry.
Walter Christy
_________________________
I have never been a labour supporter, but I feel compelled to write to you to express my satisfaction with the way the ALP have governed since the election. I feel the regulation of several sectors such as banking is now necessary as history has show that the banks/finance sector have been the guilty party in each recession we have had in the past 25 years. Keep up the good work!
Dale Pearse
____________________
I'd urge the government to encourage people to buy some shares as they are a lower price now and this will help to bring the markets up! Now is a good time to buy shares and this will stimulate the markets surely.
Sue Fisher
___________________________
I am a immigrant who has chosen Australia as home. I love living here. However, after so many years here, it occured to me on Diwali day (today) that our country should celebrate all the important festivals of different religions. Be it Id, Chinese New Year or Diwali or Christmas, if all Australians get together and celebrate, we can really understand, appreciate each other. Also Australians can grow truly knowledgeable and tolerant of each other.
Vinaya Natarajan
____________________________
I, for one, would like to see the Lord's Prayer dropped from the commencement of Parliament. I just don't think it is the right place for the Lord's Prayer. It is not a church, it is parliament and I don't think it is an appropriate place for it. To me, it doesn't sound right at the beginning of the Parliamentary session nor anytime in the Parliament.
Sue Fisher
__________________________
Since the Rudd government took the reins, we no longer have the massive amount of empty Liberal Party spin thrust upon us. Those were backward tactics of John Howard. The people had become so very disenchanted by the posturing, do-nothing Liberals. It's great to see that we now have an active and responsible government.
William Boeder
_______________________________
I wish to express my approval of the Government's action in respect of the financial crisis. Particularly the response to the Opposition. I will be a very grateful single pensioner. Thank you.
Wendy Thomson
_______________________
This so-called feedback continues to be a "feelgood" column for the Labor Party. I disagree with Labor's education policy and, with a combined income over $120K with two children, my wife and I get nothing. Hey, guess what? Same as the Liberals gave us. NUTHIN!
Paul Saxby
____________________________
As a financial member and avid supporter of Labor, I commend the effort and thought that has gone into care payments and relief to seniors. I cared for my wife for two daunting years until she passed away early this year. I looked to her every need 24 hours a day and found it very hard, but also very rewarding. Not in the monetary sense, but it taught me just how brave cancer suffers are, and to be thankful for what we have. Thanks Prime Minister and Treasurer for your utmost consideration.
Ray Buckland
_______________________________
We need a national survey of baby-boomers to be undertaken fairly quickly. This is because the leading edge of baby-boomers (those born in 1946) will retire in a few years time. Each and every year after that for 18 years, there will be a large group of retirees with the potential to cause the greatest shift in population in our time. We need an urgent census of baby-boomers asking pertinent questions such as "Where do you intend retiring?" and also asking some questions about their state of health.
Alison Alloway
_______________________________
When Turnbull submitted a Censure Motion against the PM yesterday, he could have saved himself an exhaustive tirade by saying the following: We in the Liberal Party hate the fact that the PM is extremely popular with the voters and that he is handling the global crisis very well. He is looking after all Australians which is more than the Liberal Party would do.
Lindsay Crossing
_____________________________
I wish to thank the PM on behalf of the pensioners of Australia for most graciously topping up our pension with a very generous amount of money. Of course, there are a lot of pensioners who would say when is the next increase and that is so greedy of them; we have to be thankful for small mercies, because it could have been a lot less. Mr. Rudd is doing an excellent job of running our country after the pathetic performance of the previous Coalition's attempt. He is exceptional when being interviewed on TV; he speaks very well and shows excellent depth in politics.
Barry Carter
In the article by Mr Burke about red meat, there was no mention or consideration of the huge impact on greenhouse gases from the livestock industry - bigger than transport. It's time to start looking at other solutions that won't harm Australia's competitivity in the world - reducing meat consumption is a very good way - and might at the same time reduce some health issues at the same time.
Cheryl Veitch
____________________
Congratulations to the PM on his poise during the last few weeks. We need a bit of level headedness as always. Thanks also for the concessions the Government has tabled re extra spending money for Christmas. I would like to tell you though of the word on the workshop floor, with no expletives; the boys are asking for tax cuts, not spending money for pensioners and single mothers. You can only please some of the people.
Corinne Green
_________________________
During the last election there was talk about stopping banks charging exit fees for loans. The upcoming merger of the Commonwealth and Bank West would seem like a perfect time to say to the Commonwealth that to approve the sale the Government would require the bank to get rid of exit fees. At the moment with all the financial troubles facing the average person, the absence of exit fees may help a lot in refinancing.
Steve Balsdon
___________________________
Cameron Griffiths
_________________________________
Ian Ivers
_____________________________
Gary Butler
Mary Langler
William Boeder
_____________________________
Jacqueline Gregor
_________________________
John Douglas
_____________________________
Paula Hanks
__________________________
I am so pleased with Kevin Rudd's payment for all pensioners due on the 8th Dec/08. This will help so many people. Xmas is the worst time of the year for most pensioners, and this added payment will allow many pensioners to really celebrate Xmas. In my case, I can pay my car registration and insurance for the year plus buy some nice gifts for my children and grandchildren. A car is a luxury for most pensioners and, whilst mine is old, it is reliable and allows me to do a lot of voluntary work such as meals on wheels and lifeline. There is no doubt we need this increase; it has been a long time coming and had the Liberals won the last election, it would still not be forthcoming. Kevin Rudd has done the right thing in the form of a lump sum payment. We would love to see increases always paid in a lump sum payment as the state governments cannot take this money by increasing housing department rents.
Catherine Maley
___________________________
Whilst I support the Labor Party initiative to rescue our economy, I feel disgruntled by the fact that single people in the work force are left out. As singles we pay high tax to a system that seems to only recognise married people with children. Singles never get a handout.
Robert Wilson
___________________________
Great to see the Prime Minister taking such decisive action with the recent announcement of the Economic Security package. I'm more inclined to save the money we receive rather than spend it as there seems to be many commentators saying the worst may not yet be over. As a first time Labor voter, I'm glad to see my vote well spent, the cash injection is great but getting the economy back on track is most important.
Marcus Rummler
__________________________
People should buy into the stock market now while the stocks are lower in price. This is a good opportunity and there are good bargains out there.This will then start to drive the markets back up again and our Super. The 4 big banks here are strong and there are good companies out there so why are people waiting? Perhaps the government should be encouraging people to do this more on the television and radio.
Sue Fisher
___________________________
I have not stopped crying since Mr Rudd announced that those on a Disability Pension would receive $1400 for Christmas. For the first time in 13 years we finally have a lovely, thoughtful and sensitive Prime Minister and Government. For the first time in 13 years I will be able to buy one of those frozen Turkey dinners and little Christmas Puds and celebrate Christmas 2008. Please pass on my many thanks to Mr Rudd, Ms Julie Gillard and all the rest of the Labor Government.
Linda Wood
_____________________________
Until legislation stops the main arena for raising business capital (the stock market) from being a betting ring for speculators and glorified bookies and returns to its original charters of being a dignified, trustworthy and regulated financial institution around the world, we will not recover.
Terry Osland
I think it is great that the Government is helping all these people with the one-off bonuses. Could I say though that people like me need some help to. We are a married working coupe no kids in 50s , combined income $66,000 living in regional Queensland. We don't expect a handout but it would be great if something could be done about the petrol prices.
Lesley Henderson
________________________
It's gratifying to see my vote in action, Seeing Kevin Rudd "at home " and acting in the best interest of Australia while keeping the extreme capitalists representatives on the cross benches in line and off balance. About time and well done to the Rudd Government.
Terrence Walters
____________________
Thank you so much. I had tears in my eyes when I read that DSP people were included in the bonus payment. I am a Labor supporter but was getting worried. Again heartfelt thanks.
Christine Wilson
_____________________________
In reply to the latest round of money handouts: why is it that my wife and myself as both working couples have not received any handouts? We do not have any children at home but we get no assistance? Why are we being discriminated against?
John Perry
_________________________
Thank you for your help for Xmas. It is welcomed with gratitude
Joan Lockwood
____________________
I am very angry. It has just been broadcast that a so-called "famous" senator by the name of Barnaby Joyce says that the pensioners will waste their gift that the Rudd Government has so generously given to all pensioners and carers. The spending of this money is to kick-start the economy. I congratulate the Labor Party on taking this step as Disability Pensioners and carers have been totally ignored by the Liberal Party. May I ask if someone in your party can challenge Barnaby Joyce to live on the basic pension for 1 month, paying all expenses including $25 every 2 weeks for medication. Then we will see if he wishes to see us go without. I have no doubt that he would be too gutless to take up such a challenge.
_______________________
I am concerned at the move to include iodine in bread, not because I don't believe that some sort of fortification is unnecessary but because I am a vegetarian and, unless the source of the iodine is non-animal, then I will not be able to eat it. My request is either to specify that the iodine must be from a vegetable source or to ensure that manufacturers label their product to indicate where it is plant or animal iodine that is being used.
Frances Crum
____________________
Good news for first homebuyers, but the Government should make sure that this policy shouldn't be taken as an advantage for greedy sellers, real estate agents, home builders (and their contracters) to 'jack up' prices by that $20,000.
Philip Mah
_______________________________
Thank Kevin on my behalf . Now we can have a bit of ham plus on our table . It's long overdue, but better late than never. God bless him.
Lindsay Texier
________________________________
I appreciate and approve in general the recent actions taken with the economic stimulus package. There are opportunities in this crisis to introduce changes to achieve a better society and a better world and I look forward with confidence to our Labor team doing just that. Keep up the good work!
Sinclair Armour
_______________________________
The news regarding the increase of pensions is absolutely astounding; it couldn't come at a better time for them. You have for sure our elderly Aussies with smiles from ear to ear. Congratulations on great policy.
Daniel Moygannon
_______________________________
I just wanted to comment on the current financial crisis, and the plans by the Government to release the surplus to give Australia an easing of the impending recession. I think this commendable, especially focusing on infrastructure. However, I think we should see this as an opportunity to step out of old habits and into new traditions that are environmentally more responsible. If we can focus on improving public transport, our rail networks both urban and rural, we would be stepping in the right direction- think the fast trains or Europe and Japan. I think we have an opportunity to look past the 'fast fix' and step forward with a progressive attitude.
Tiffany Angus
___________________________
Our PM is doing the best he can for all Australians and it's unthinkable that some people are so myopic!
Alice Reid
_______________________________
Having been a lifetime Labor supporter (& my parents & grandparents before me), I was recently having doubts about my political affirmation mainly due to the adverse media heaped upon Labor during the last nine months. But I must say my faith in the workers' party has been restored by the recent news coming from Labor including the increased home buyers support, pensions, arts, plus many more positive programs to support the Australian economy. What does concern me is that the banks gobble up the benefits in increased fees and real estate agents keep on increasing their commissions.
Kevin Grose
_______________________________
Thank you so very much to the Labor Government for the one off payment for my kids. Their father was hit by a car while delivering mail last week and I was so worried how we were going to get through Christmas. This one off payment has taken a large worry from me and my family. God bless you Mr Rudd.
Veta Neitzel
____________________
I'm sick of Turnbull mouthing off about how uncaring this Government is for pensioners when the libs did NOTHING to help pensioners for years! Please Mr Rudd take him to task over it publicly! Also, please help students as well. I'm a mature age student studying full time to try to escape poverty & ill health & Austudy is pretty much impossible to cope on. I wish I did live on $270 a week; try it on $200 when you're renting!
Leonie Hitchenor
___________________
I applaud the recognition of pensioners who will receive a well needed Christmas bonus. But I'd like the government to recognise that in Australia there are many single income earners, paying rent, who can't afford to purchase a home, and who may like me be paying back debts because of a situation that was beyond my control. I pay for my mothers home support service - because she needs home care. It's time for a change, even if the world is in financial crisis - a crisis created by pure gluttony.
Geraldine Quinn
_______________________________
I would just like to say how proud I am to be a member of the Labor Party and to know that so many of the wrongs are being put right by the Labor Team in Canberra.
Subhada Das
___________________________
I believe that the Government's Green Paper on carbon pollution reduction does not go far enough. Also, we can't just focus on carbon dioxide. What about methane and all the other greenhouse gases. We need to reduce our use of them too. I am prepared to do my bit to combat climate change; most Australians are also prepared to take strong action.
Jaden Harris
________________________________
The Australian Labor Party must be commended that they are governing for the needy citizens of Australia, unlike the Liberal government which tended to look after the well-off Australians only.
Markham Ryland
______________________________
I think that the financial situation in Australia is good. Our banks are good so what is all the panic about. There is too much panic talk eg. meltdowns, crisis etc. The media is having a field day with all of this and it is all fueling this irrational fear that is going around. Things are not that bad; the sky is not going to fall in. In fact, people should be seeing the stockmarket for example as an opportunity to buy stocks at a lower price which in turn will start to drive the markets higher and things will start to improve. This is how I see the situation.
Sue Fisher
________________________________
Helen
Daintree
_________________________
Ray Jenkins
__________________________
As a 28 year-old, last year's election was the first time I became actively engaged and interested in policy and initiatives being put forward by the parties. At that time, having a particular interest in the education policy, I especially noted the "education revolution" put forward by Labor. Having watched the 7.30 Report last night (9/10/08), I was extremely impressed with the leadership, strength, composure, and appropriate responses of Kevin Rudd on the financial situation across the globe and in Australia. I felt it important to write in to say, for the first time in a long time, I felt a leading politician was responding in very appropriate ways that are needed by the Australian society.
Emma Liversidge
_______________________________
Update the public holidays so they are relevant. Out with Labor Day and the Queen's Birthday and in with Environment Day and Kokoda Day. Some say the States decide this things but a clear lead from the Federal Government would get things moving in the right direction.
Bill Adams
_____________________________
I just saw the PM interviewed by Kerry O'Brien and was very impressed with his responses in regards to the growing economic crisis. I responded to his commitment to true leadership and to avoiding political commentary. There is too much fear mongering in modern politics and I am surprised that Mr O'Brien continued to ask for your financial predictions and fears. He should know better than to ask irresponsible questions. Keep up the great work - 10 months strong!
Matthew Neilson
Davin Scott
Margaret Moir
_________________________________
William Sams
____________________
Regarding the forthcoming review of pensions, I trust the Government will consider the plight of all welfare recipients and not just the Aged Pensioners. Any increase in pension payments should be extended to all those relying on income support, including the unemployed. As a sole parent studying full time, I also am struggling. I would argue that my household costs are greater than an aged pensioner with no dependents and my studies and caring responsibilities make it very difficult to add to my income with paid employment. I am a widow, so receive no support either financially or emotionally from my child's father.
Helen Franklin
____________________________
Susan Owens
___________________________
Federal and Sate Labor governments have recently made a commitment to fast-track infrastructure projects in order to shore up our country against recession. I think this is a good move but would like to be assured that these projects will be built in such a way that no significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions is brought about. Large infrastructure projects will require large amounts of energy for their construction. I suggest the Government commit to building-in renewable energy generation as part of the infrastructure plan. This would mean setting aside enough money for each project to build its own power source, which could go on providing energy long after the the project is completed. If we are serious about trying to prevent catastrophic climate change, then we must think about how greenhouse gases can be reduced for everything we do.
Heather Cousland
___________________________
Prime Minister Rudd has called for a check on the greed mentality of banks and other financial institutions, and the corporate sector. Currently there is a volatile cannibalistic mentality adopted by those who should have been taught the dangers of "greed is good." Greed leads to corruption and abuse of the law. Would the Liberal Party have been so honest in this time of crisis?
____________________
My beloved wife of 43 years (she is 68) has been struck down with a major stroke, and has to go into full care nursing - probably for the rest of her life. My comment is to point out the huge gap that lies between physically incapacitated people who need full care, and those people who need full aged care. At present there is no differentiation in public care facilities between these two groups. Consequently my wife, who is mentally sound and not incontinent, is placed with people who generally are suffering dementia and incontinent. This is a terrible situation for her, and many others like her. We desperately need separate full care facilities for those younger people who need full care. Our aged care facilities are just that - 'aged' care - and are soul destroying institutions for people such as my wife and the many younger people who are in her position (eg there is one woman stroke victim of 21 in an 'aged care' facility) .
Peter Williams
__________________________
Good on you Labor! Being part of a dedicated team that formed a Community Centre to supply some basic services to this "isolated" district, it was refreshing to receive the news from the Federal Member for the Seat of Flynn (Chris Trevor MP) that Labor had increased the amount available to associations like ours under the Volunteer Grants Program to $5000 and, more importantly, there is now a provision for associations to receive a grant to help out with volunteer petrol costs. Thanks for the help to struggling Community Associations such as ours.
Kevin Grose
____________________________
I agree that to have children is a personal choice. Why should some-one else pay for you to have an income while you are off work building yourself a family. If you cannot afford kids, you should not have any or you should get yourself a second job. The welfare system is still there for the needy and the greedy, but everyone else please fund your baby time from your own resources.
Olive Weir
_________________________
With the push to get new nurses into the health care system, why don't we look inside it and bring it up to a level playing field first. Nurses in the aged care system have the lowest wages, the worst benefits, and worst conditions. We say we are looking at improving care to our growing aged sector, so why not start there and make sure that they have the best possible care available. Happy aged care nurses would be a great start.
Col Myers
____________________
I wish life could be easier for the not so fortunate. I am so sick of being poor, and renting privately. Hurry along with well designed community housing - there are so many empty buildings around. Why do cashed up folk have to own so many properties, most of which remain empty for most the the year. Greed is not good; Gordon got it wrong.
Pamela Oberman
___________________________
I am sick of advertising still using the imperial system. We have been metric for 40 years and still things like televisions are advertised as 46". The metric system should be the mandatory primary description in advertising, with the option of providing the imperial version.
Andrew Hilton
__________________________
I agree with Senator John Faulkner about reducing senate terms from 6 years to 4 years and at the same time come in line with the House of Reps. This should have happened years ago.
Greg Thomson
___________________________
I welcome the report into paid maternity leave; my only concern is that it will not be implemented soon enough. I am a 29 year-old women with many friends having recently started a family or about to start. I know that paid maternity leave will definitely have a profound effect on their health and wellbeing. Australia was one of the first countries to give women the vote and I hope that paid maternity leave is implemented very quickly in Australia so we can hold our head up in the Equal Opportunity arena again.
Elisabeth Backhouse
______________________________
Bengt Johansson
____________________________
My concern is too much happening too quickly for people to have time to digest, think about, and hopefully appreciate. My 34 year-old university educated son said that he felt Labor was not good at getting across the good work they are doing. I have been thrilled to have Labor finally back in power but am so aware that the media is basically still run by owners who are pro-Liberal. To stay in power and achieve the goals we require, we need to get the correct (truthful) information to all people.
Margaret Moir
________________________
The only choice the Government has on climate change is large cuts in greenhouse gases quickly. There is no time left for "balance". Whatever the recommendations Ross Garnaut delivers, the governments objective must be to keep CO2 under 450 parts per million. My vote for Kevin Rudd was for this purpose alone. If the sea level rises, I will be one of the first to lose my house and I would like to think that the only person I had to blame was Howard.
Geoff Kennedy
__________________________
I think the Government should appoint a roving ambassador for climate change to get other countries on board.
Rhondda Hart
Seaforth NSW
9 November 2008
_____________________________It would cost $9 billion to remove the excise tax on petrol, keeping
the GST. This would reduce inflation and result in a fairer tax break to all -
as well as making our businesses more competitive internationally. This is the
way to stimulate the economy. The government would probably get most of the $9B
back in GST from extra economic activity engendered.
Michael Angel
Sydney NSW
9 November 2008
___________________________
I have just read the report on how Labor is going to increase the number of doctors - excellent. So when there is a good doctor serving the community in a country town - I mean in Horsham - why send him back to Germany just because he has a child with a disability? The doctor seems to me to more than have justified his right to remain in Australia with his family- country towns need doctors & many prefer to remain in the city.
Edith Cleland
Campbell ACT
8 November 2008
_____________________________I am like most people in our local area - we have a mortgage and are doing or best to cover the cost of this mortgage. I understand the importance of banks maintaining healthy business profits but I think they should accept some reduction in profits and pass on the full interest rate cuts. We are all feeling the pain due to the current economic crisis that was developed by the financial sector, so it should only be fair that they accept some of the pain as well.
Peter O'Reilly
Tumbi Umbi NSW
8 November 2008
_______________________________I am writing to express my concern about the closure of the Academy of Music in South Melbourne. We have gained much benefit from this facility which has enabled young performers to remain in Australia for a period of intense study in performance skills. We have excellent musicians and perfoming centres in Australia and have made great advances in these areas over the last 15 years or so. Please reconsider the decision to close the Acadamy.
Prue Brown
Kew VIC
7 November 2008
____________________ While it is true that children should not be exposed to violent or pornographic content on the internet, there is other more efficient and less expensive ways to do this that the proposed internet filtering. Educating parents on how to keep their children safe on the internet would do wonders. Also, making sure to advertise home based internet filtering (such as the software used in the current NetAlert scheme) would benefit families without slowing down Australia's internet, breaking banking encryptions and taking away civil liberties.
Liam O'Sullivan
Brisbane QLD
7 November 2008
___________________________Wonderful result, Obama the new President elect of the US. George Bush of course with his popularity rating of around 20% will not apologise for the enemies he has created for his country by attacking and threatening countries without justification and causing of hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths. And John Howard of course will not hand back the several medals awarded to him by Israel and apologise to all Australians for joining in the Bush wars and causing our country to have enemies we did not have before.
Frank Crichlow
Carrara QLD
6 November 2008
__________________________Let's hear positive talk about the economy instead of this constant gloom and doom talk, grim news that we seem to be hearing day in and day out . Focus on the positives, not the negatives, and then the community picks up on this and acts more positively too. Instead of seeing the glass half empty, why not see it more as the glass half full, then things will get better. Things are pretty good out there so stop dwelling on the negatives so much! The media is doing this as well and this just causes problems.
Sue Fisher
Brighton VIC
6 November 2008
_________________________I would like to say a hearty thank-you to the Rudd Government for the proposed inclusion of iodine in bread products. As someone who has had thyroid problems and faces removal of some of it, it is very important for me to have sufficient iodine and a very welcome move. Keep up the good work.
Anne Every
Moonah TAS
5 November 2008
___________________The government may be trying to tell the banks to pass on the full reserve bank interest rate cut but I think it is missing a great deal of the pie. Try the non bank lenders. We are with Bluestone and they have only passed on .5%, when the reserve bank has given 2.5% in cuts. The cut we got equates to about $30 a month. So the other 2% would be aprox $120 per month. On one wage that would be like heaven. I understand they are in kind of trouble getting more money but come on, holding onto 2% when we are currently on 10.25% really sucks. We can not jump ship as the fees would add about $2000 to $3000 to our mortgage.
William Noble
Cranbourne North VIC
5 November 2008
__________________________
The vast majority of job seekers want to find work and many, if not most,
would be happy to do an activity if they truly believe that it will help them.
But it should be their choice. Thus I believe that 'Mutual Obligation' activities should
be voluntary. The other problem with Mutual Obligation is the
monitoring and checking procedures, such as having diaries signed. This takes
the initiative away from individuals and many find this type of monitoring
degrading and demeaning, because it assumes that job seekers are not
trustworthy enough to turn up to their activity.
Ray Manley
Lara VIC
4 November 2008
_______________________I agree with the comments of Vinaya Natarajan (27 October). There are many multicultural festivals in our part of Australia and growing numbers attend. But you missed from your list the Aboriginal culture. Because the Aboriginals are the first Australians, we do need to weave some of the amazing Aboriginal culture into our "Brand Australia". In NZ, they teach Maori culture in schools as part of the curriculum, and every Kiwi male Maori, Pakeha, Chinese, African etc can do the Haka. It's stirring to watch. This is only one of the bits of Maoridom that are woven into "Brand Kiwi". I don't think that Paul Hogan tossing shrimps on a barbie, transvestites roaming the desert on a bus, Nicole Kidman riding a horse and Lara Bingle on a beach calling out 'where the hell are ya' quite do it for Australia.
Olive Weir
Brisbane QLD
3 November 2008
____________________ I read in the paper that the Government is going to introduce an internet filter to filter out all sorts of things. If it targeted child pornographic sites only, I would have no problem with that. But I do have a problem with it slowing up the internet speed, and encroaching on other areas. Is the next step to filter out information against the government of the day? Don't do this. The loss of freedom is not worth it in the long run.
David Simpson
Brisbane QLD
2 November 2008
____________________ I suggest the government allow all people 55 years of age or over, who are retired or semi-retired, to access their superannuation funds completely free of income tax and free of any capital gains tax and any other tax/charges. The benefits of doing this are many - especially with the current credit crisis. It would provide a much needed big boost to consumer spending; reducepersonal debt; increase people leaving the workforce and thus provide more jobs, keeping a lid on unemployment; boost the housing market (retired people would sell their large home and downsize); increase bank savings and retail investments by people with surplus cash funds; and boost the stockmarket.
Nino Molar
Karrinyup WA
1 November 2008
_______________________________I would like to express my view that the Federal Government should do more to help support and improve public transport. While delivery is a State Government responsibility, the federals should fund projects that improve and expand the infrastructure. And with carbon trading, it's vital that electric urban public transport (trains and trams) not be penalised, and that some consideration is given to its overall environmental benefits.
Michael Pearce
Blackburn VIC
31 October 2008
__________________________At the moment Westfarmers is looking at buying Coles Supermarket (food and petrol outlets). If the Federal Government bought Coles, they could provide the real competition Australians need. We know the ACCC had some idea of collusion between Coles and Woolworths and having the Federal Government competing should help bring down prices. For those that say it will take away competition, then where has it been with Coles and Woolworths? Doing this would also help to stock shelves with Australian goods and provide incentives to Australian industry.
Walter Christy
Shearwater TAS
30 October 2008
_________________________I have never been a labour supporter, but I feel compelled to write to you to express my satisfaction with the way the ALP have governed since the election. I feel the regulation of several sectors such as banking is now necessary as history has show that the banks/finance sector have been the guilty party in each recession we have had in the past 25 years. Keep up the good work!
Dale Pearse
Mooroopna VIC
29 October 2008
____________________ I'd urge the government to encourage people to buy some shares as they are a lower price now and this will help to bring the markets up! Now is a good time to buy shares and this will stimulate the markets surely.
Sue Fisher
Melbourne VIC
28 October 2008
___________________________I am a immigrant who has chosen Australia as home. I love living here. However, after so many years here, it occured to me on Diwali day (today) that our country should celebrate all the important festivals of different religions. Be it Id, Chinese New Year or Diwali or Christmas, if all Australians get together and celebrate, we can really understand, appreciate each other. Also Australians can grow truly knowledgeable and tolerant of each other.
Vinaya Natarajan
Gold Coast QLD
27 October 2008
____________________________I, for one, would like to see the Lord's Prayer dropped from the commencement of Parliament. I just don't think it is the right place for the Lord's Prayer. It is not a church, it is parliament and I don't think it is an appropriate place for it. To me, it doesn't sound right at the beginning of the Parliamentary session nor anytime in the Parliament.
Sue Fisher
Brighton VIC
26 October 2008
__________________________Since the Rudd government took the reins, we no longer have the massive amount of empty Liberal Party spin thrust upon us. Those were backward tactics of John Howard. The people had become so very disenchanted by the posturing, do-nothing Liberals. It's great to see that we now have an active and responsible government.
William Boeder
Rosebery TAS
25 October 2008
_______________________________I wish to express my approval of the Government's action in respect of the financial crisis. Particularly the response to the Opposition. I will be a very grateful single pensioner. Thank you.
Wendy Thomson
Graceville QLD
24 October 2008
_______________________This so-called feedback continues to be a "feelgood" column for the Labor Party. I disagree with Labor's education policy and, with a combined income over $120K with two children, my wife and I get nothing. Hey, guess what? Same as the Liberals gave us. NUTHIN!
Paul Saxby
Bundaberg QLD
24 October 2008
____________________________As a financial member and avid supporter of Labor, I commend the effort and thought that has gone into care payments and relief to seniors. I cared for my wife for two daunting years until she passed away early this year. I looked to her every need 24 hours a day and found it very hard, but also very rewarding. Not in the monetary sense, but it taught me just how brave cancer suffers are, and to be thankful for what we have. Thanks Prime Minister and Treasurer for your utmost consideration.
Ray Buckland
Bridgewater TAS
24 October 2008
_______________________________We need a national survey of baby-boomers to be undertaken fairly quickly. This is because the leading edge of baby-boomers (those born in 1946) will retire in a few years time. Each and every year after that for 18 years, there will be a large group of retirees with the potential to cause the greatest shift in population in our time. We need an urgent census of baby-boomers asking pertinent questions such as "Where do you intend retiring?" and also asking some questions about their state of health.
Alison Alloway
Cairns QLD
24 October 2008
_______________________________When Turnbull submitted a Censure Motion against the PM yesterday, he could have saved himself an exhaustive tirade by saying the following: We in the Liberal Party hate the fact that the PM is extremely popular with the voters and that he is handling the global crisis very well. He is looking after all Australians which is more than the Liberal Party would do.
Lindsay Crossing
Happy Valley SA
24 October 2008
_____________________________I wish to thank the PM on behalf of the pensioners of Australia for most graciously topping up our pension with a very generous amount of money. Of course, there are a lot of pensioners who would say when is the next increase and that is so greedy of them; we have to be thankful for small mercies, because it could have been a lot less. Mr. Rudd is doing an excellent job of running our country after the pathetic performance of the previous Coalition's attempt. He is exceptional when being interviewed on TV; he speaks very well and shows excellent depth in politics.
Barry Carter
Umina Beach NSW
23 October 2008
____________________________________
In the article by Mr Burke about red meat, there was no mention or consideration of the huge impact on greenhouse gases from the livestock industry - bigger than transport. It's time to start looking at other solutions that won't harm Australia's competitivity in the world - reducing meat consumption is a very good way - and might at the same time reduce some health issues at the same time.
Cheryl Veitch
Melbourne VIC
23 October 2008
____________________
Congratulations to the PM on his poise during the last few weeks. We need a bit of level headedness as always. Thanks also for the concessions the Government has tabled re extra spending money for Christmas. I would like to tell you though of the word on the workshop floor, with no expletives; the boys are asking for tax cuts, not spending money for pensioners and single mothers. You can only please some of the people.
Corinne Green
Bargara QLD
22 October 2008
_________________________During the last election there was talk about stopping banks charging exit fees for loans. The upcoming merger of the Commonwealth and Bank West would seem like a perfect time to say to the Commonwealth that to approve the sale the Government would require the bank to get rid of exit fees. At the moment with all the financial troubles facing the average person, the absence of exit fees may help a lot in refinancing.
Steve Balsdon
Wyoming NSW
22 October 2008
___________________________I refer to the Government's proposed plan for cyber-safety in Australian homes. The plan, while admirable, seems like it is going to be putting a lot of people
into a situation that is only necessary for a few. Whichever method the
government chooses to implement, it is going to result in a severe limitation
to our freedoms. So I propose allowing concerned parents to contact the
government and request this filter in place at their home. By all means, go
ahead with the education of teachers and the general populace on how to use the
Internet safely, but mandatory filters? Not the right way to go.
Cameron Griffiths
Fig Tree Pocket QLD
22 October 2008
_________________________________
I'm a 30 year-old average Australian married bloke that has just started a family. My wife & I have a beautiful little 9 month-old Flynn & another one on the way. My wife & I both work & rely a lot on my wife's parents to help out looking after him. We have never been into politics & always thought you guys were completely engulfed in corruption & greed and that there would not be much hope for our poor kids. But I say to Mr Rudd that, since you have been Prime Minister, you have kept all your promises & been true to your word. Never in my lifetime has such a feat been achieved in my political view. I am one among the many that is a low wage earner & work hard. This one year you have added an extra $60 to my wage thanks to your tax cuts & the low wage earners increase. After we have been told were not worthy for so long by the Liberals, your Government makes us proud to belong to the best country in the world!
Ian Ivers
Wamberal NSW
21 October 2008
_____________________________Today various articles in the Australian newspaper are suggesting that 'blanket' government insurance of private depositors bank accounts, as logically proposed by government, be 'capped'. The leader of the opposition has even suggested that he is "not aware of any comparable country" that offered a blanket guarantee. I suppose he thinks Germany and Ireland not comparable. The articles also elude to a drying up of 'competition' and loan sources for Australian corporations such as investment banks that are losing monies invested to the more secure insured bank deposits. One should not lose sight of the main culprits of the global financial disaster, namely investment banks who should not expect much help from all governments after the mess they've got us in. Regulated deposit taking institutions of which there are many can now fill the void as 'free market' principles trim the less prudently managed of these. Do not change a good policy on the suggestion of a past investment banker pretending to be looking out for all Australians.
Gary Butler
South Brighton SA
21 October 2008
________________________________
Giving hand outs to first home buyers with no strings attached may be good for the economy, but it could have been used as an incentive to build environmentally friendly homes. The huge "MacMansions" that are the current trend have little or no overhang and often little natural lighting and are almost never built with the aspect in mind, only for "show". We can now expect more and more of our arable taken up with housing estates instead of encouraging more high density housing.
Mary Langler
Park Ridge South QLD
20 October 2008
___________________________
After having taken a good hard look at what remains of
Australia's manufacturing
sector after 12 years of Liberal Government, then to look at the remaining
industries we have, we ain’t got much left. The previous of what was a growth
industry, that being the financial sector, is now not ever going to reach the high
levels of the past. To think that under the Liberals all these expert analysts,
advisors, superannuation specialists and so on, most of them with no eye on the
duty of care that should have been the backbone of all these per-centile
spielers, were allowed to proliferate in the numbers they did tells its own
story. Clearly the Liberal Government did not care either way what happened at
the end of the day to people’s savings and superannuation. Thankfully, the
interest and the subsequent action that Kevin Rudd has displayed shows all
Australians that the Liberal Party Government is all about itself, their
deplorable use of spin and their own aggrandizement .I believe that our
Australian futures lay in re-creating our own self sufficiency, as opposed to
becoming an importer to this country of so many of life’s essentials, to the
point where it leaves us beholden to other countries for our daily basic
household needs.Greed is endemic to the corporatization of even our simple
grocery shops. Nowadays, the mighty corporate leviathans seek produce from
lesser trusted suppliers than our own proud Australian grown and manufactured
goods. Profit before honesty and integrity is their mantra.
William Boeder
Rosebery TAS
20 October 2008
_____________________________
I was encouraged by the PM’s comments regarding the health system and
the move towards a national system. I am so frustrated by the state/federal
divide. This is becoming a desperate situation. I am Senior Allied Health
Professional with 9 years experience working in a large tertiary hospital in a
reputable rehabilitation unit. Things are getting desperate in our ability to
provide not just quality but SAFE services to patients. I have watched so many
of my colleagues leave due to frustration and chronic staff shortages and
refusal of management to approve recruitment to vacancies. We need a
comprehensive seamless continuum of care. I have worked in the NHS in the
UK and despite
its problems they do this very well. All the above issues I have mentioned just
lead to an increase length of stay, massive increases in costs, risk to
patients and burnout of staff. There is an army of us out here dedicated to the cause, but something needs to be done ASAP.
Jacqueline Gregor
Randwick NSW
19 October 2008
_________________________I can see how the boosted grants for first home buyers may encourage
growth, thus helping to restore some confidence in the marketplace. But what
about those who have bought there first house in the last 12 to 18 months?
Things are unravelling around them, money is tight and the situation is
starting to get very tough. Perhaps they are the most in need of financial
support right now? Doesn't saving a new home owner from defaulting on a loan
equate to the same thing as assisting a potential buyer? Continuing to
encourage growth this way was an important step; but please assist those
battling the most during this time of economic pandemonium.
John Douglas
Ulverstone TAS
19 October 2008
_____________________________
Unfortunately I see a lot of handout money being wasted by people instead of using it to help themselves. People without children should get a bonus for supporting all the handout recipients constantly. I'm okay with the pensioners but people who want kids should realize it is their cost and their responsibility - not the community's. It doesn't take special ability to pop kids out.
Paula Hanks
Burnie TAS
19 October 2008
__________________________I am so pleased with Kevin Rudd's payment for all pensioners due on the 8th Dec/08. This will help so many people. Xmas is the worst time of the year for most pensioners, and this added payment will allow many pensioners to really celebrate Xmas. In my case, I can pay my car registration and insurance for the year plus buy some nice gifts for my children and grandchildren. A car is a luxury for most pensioners and, whilst mine is old, it is reliable and allows me to do a lot of voluntary work such as meals on wheels and lifeline. There is no doubt we need this increase; it has been a long time coming and had the Liberals won the last election, it would still not be forthcoming. Kevin Rudd has done the right thing in the form of a lump sum payment. We would love to see increases always paid in a lump sum payment as the state governments cannot take this money by increasing housing department rents.
Catherine Maley
Glenorchy TAS
18 October 2008
___________________________Whilst I support the Labor Party initiative to rescue our economy, I feel disgruntled by the fact that single people in the work force are left out. As singles we pay high tax to a system that seems to only recognise married people with children. Singles never get a handout.
Robert Wilson
Bellevue Hill NSW
18 October 2008
___________________________Great to see the Prime Minister taking such decisive action with the recent announcement of the Economic Security package. I'm more inclined to save the money we receive rather than spend it as there seems to be many commentators saying the worst may not yet be over. As a first time Labor voter, I'm glad to see my vote well spent, the cash injection is great but getting the economy back on track is most important.
Marcus Rummler
Emu Heights NSW
18 October 2008
__________________________People should buy into the stock market now while the stocks are lower in price. This is a good opportunity and there are good bargains out there.This will then start to drive the markets back up again and our Super. The 4 big banks here are strong and there are good companies out there so why are people waiting? Perhaps the government should be encouraging people to do this more on the television and radio.
Sue Fisher
Brighton VIC
17 October 2008
___________________________I have not stopped crying since Mr Rudd announced that those on a Disability Pension would receive $1400 for Christmas. For the first time in 13 years we finally have a lovely, thoughtful and sensitive Prime Minister and Government. For the first time in 13 years I will be able to buy one of those frozen Turkey dinners and little Christmas Puds and celebrate Christmas 2008. Please pass on my many thanks to Mr Rudd, Ms Julie Gillard and all the rest of the Labor Government.
Linda Wood
Heathridge WA
17 October 2008
_____________________________Until legislation stops the main arena for raising business capital (the stock market) from being a betting ring for speculators and glorified bookies and returns to its original charters of being a dignified, trustworthy and regulated financial institution around the world, we will not recover.
Terry Osland
Singleton NSW
17 October 2008
____________________
I think it is great that the Government is helping all these people with the one-off bonuses. Could I say though that people like me need some help to. We are a married working coupe no kids in 50s , combined income $66,000 living in regional Queensland. We don't expect a handout but it would be great if something could be done about the petrol prices.
Lesley Henderson
South Townsville QLD
17 October 2008
________________________It's gratifying to see my vote in action, Seeing Kevin Rudd "at home " and acting in the best interest of Australia while keeping the extreme capitalists representatives on the cross benches in line and off balance. About time and well done to the Rudd Government.
Terrence Walters
Rosedale QLD
16 October 2008
____________________ Thank you so much. I had tears in my eyes when I read that DSP people were included in the bonus payment. I am a Labor supporter but was getting worried. Again heartfelt thanks.
Christine Wilson
Tweed Heads NSW
16 October 2008
_____________________________In reply to the latest round of money handouts: why is it that my wife and myself as both working couples have not received any handouts? We do not have any children at home but we get no assistance? Why are we being discriminated against?
John Perry
Adelaide SA
16 October 2008
_________________________Thank you for your help for Xmas. It is welcomed with gratitude
Joan Lockwood
Bundaberg QLD
16 October 2008
____________________ I am very angry. It has just been broadcast that a so-called "famous" senator by the name of Barnaby Joyce says that the pensioners will waste their gift that the Rudd Government has so generously given to all pensioners and carers. The spending of this money is to kick-start the economy. I congratulate the Labor Party on taking this step as Disability Pensioners and carers have been totally ignored by the Liberal Party. May I ask if someone in your party can challenge Barnaby Joyce to live on the basic pension for 1 month, paying all expenses including $25 every 2 weeks for medication. Then we will see if he wishes to see us go without. I have no doubt that he would be too gutless to take up such a challenge.
Barry Morgan
Cairns QLD
16 October 2008
_______________________I am concerned at the move to include iodine in bread, not because I don't believe that some sort of fortification is unnecessary but because I am a vegetarian and, unless the source of the iodine is non-animal, then I will not be able to eat it. My request is either to specify that the iodine must be from a vegetable source or to ensure that manufacturers label their product to indicate where it is plant or animal iodine that is being used.
Frances Crum
Rooty Hill NSW
16 October 2008
____________________ Good news for first homebuyers, but the Government should make sure that this policy shouldn't be taken as an advantage for greedy sellers, real estate agents, home builders (and their contracters) to 'jack up' prices by that $20,000.
Philip Mah
Currambine WA
16 October 2008
_______________________________Thank Kevin on my behalf . Now we can have a bit of ham plus on our table . It's long overdue, but better late than never. God bless him.
Lindsay Texier
L'Pool NSW
15 October 2008
________________________________I appreciate and approve in general the recent actions taken with the economic stimulus package. There are opportunities in this crisis to introduce changes to achieve a better society and a better world and I look forward with confidence to our Labor team doing just that. Keep up the good work!
Sinclair Armour
Maleny QLD
15 October 2008
_______________________________The news regarding the increase of pensions is absolutely astounding; it couldn't come at a better time for them. You have for sure our elderly Aussies with smiles from ear to ear. Congratulations on great policy.
Daniel Moygannon
Wollongong NSW
15 October 2008
_______________________________I just wanted to comment on the current financial crisis, and the plans by the Government to release the surplus to give Australia an easing of the impending recession. I think this commendable, especially focusing on infrastructure. However, I think we should see this as an opportunity to step out of old habits and into new traditions that are environmentally more responsible. If we can focus on improving public transport, our rail networks both urban and rural, we would be stepping in the right direction- think the fast trains or Europe and Japan. I think we have an opportunity to look past the 'fast fix' and step forward with a progressive attitude.
Tiffany Angus
Hamlyn Heights VIC
15 October 2008
___________________________Our PM is doing the best he can for all Australians and it's unthinkable that some people are so myopic!
Alice Reid
Kaleen ACT
15 October 2008
_______________________________Having been a lifetime Labor supporter (& my parents & grandparents before me), I was recently having doubts about my political affirmation mainly due to the adverse media heaped upon Labor during the last nine months. But I must say my faith in the workers' party has been restored by the recent news coming from Labor including the increased home buyers support, pensions, arts, plus many more positive programs to support the Australian economy. What does concern me is that the banks gobble up the benefits in increased fees and real estate agents keep on increasing their commissions.
Kevin Grose
Baffle Creek QLD
14 October 2008
_______________________________Thank you so very much to the Labor Government for the one off payment for my kids. Their father was hit by a car while delivering mail last week and I was so worried how we were going to get through Christmas. This one off payment has taken a large worry from me and my family. God bless you Mr Rudd.
Veta Neitzel
Longford TAS
14 October 2008
____________________ I'm sick of Turnbull mouthing off about how uncaring this Government is for pensioners when the libs did NOTHING to help pensioners for years! Please Mr Rudd take him to task over it publicly! Also, please help students as well. I'm a mature age student studying full time to try to escape poverty & ill health & Austudy is pretty much impossible to cope on. I wish I did live on $270 a week; try it on $200 when you're renting!
Leonie Hitchenor
Ettalong Beach NSW
14 October 2008
___________________I applaud the recognition of pensioners who will receive a well needed Christmas bonus. But I'd like the government to recognise that in Australia there are many single income earners, paying rent, who can't afford to purchase a home, and who may like me be paying back debts because of a situation that was beyond my control. I pay for my mothers home support service - because she needs home care. It's time for a change, even if the world is in financial crisis - a crisis created by pure gluttony.
Geraldine Quinn
Edgeworth NSW
14 October 2008
_______________________________I would just like to say how proud I am to be a member of the Labor Party and to know that so many of the wrongs are being put right by the Labor Team in Canberra.
Subhada Das
Beaconsfield WA
13 October 2008
___________________________I believe that the Government's Green Paper on carbon pollution reduction does not go far enough. Also, we can't just focus on carbon dioxide. What about methane and all the other greenhouse gases. We need to reduce our use of them too. I am prepared to do my bit to combat climate change; most Australians are also prepared to take strong action.
Jaden Harris
North Curl Curl
NSW 13 October 2008
________________________________The Australian Labor Party must be commended that they are governing for the needy citizens of Australia, unlike the Liberal government which tended to look after the well-off Australians only.
Markham Ryland
Kallangur QLD
13 October 2008
______________________________I think that the financial situation in Australia is good. Our banks are good so what is all the panic about. There is too much panic talk eg. meltdowns, crisis etc. The media is having a field day with all of this and it is all fueling this irrational fear that is going around. Things are not that bad; the sky is not going to fall in. In fact, people should be seeing the stockmarket for example as an opportunity to buy stocks at a lower price which in turn will start to drive the markets higher and things will start to improve. This is how I see the situation.
Sue Fisher
Brighton VIC
12 October 2008
________________________________The PM’s interview with Kerry O’Brien was terrific - he did not buy into personal fears and tunnel vision at all. All party spokespeople need to
follow Kevin’s lead on this. Confident and positive language is exactly what we need to
undermine the fear and panic merchants, especially by journalists who have bought
into it and keep driving it. Thank
goodness the country is being led but such a good team.
Helen
Daintree
Karragarra
Island QLD
11 October 2008
_________________________Continually of late, I am even more disgusted by the blatant hypocrisy
of the Liberal Party in regard to pensioner's payments, and their criticism of
the current Government. During their prolonged term, they did nothing to bring
payments to a liveable level. Mr Menzies and the Liberals spent the funds that
were to be held to fund the aged pension at a reasonable level. Hence why
Australians were paying substantially higher income tax than people in other
developed countries, and why many Seniors were not encouraged to plan and save
for retirement years.
Ray Jenkins
Carnegie VIC
11 October 2008
__________________________As a 28 year-old, last year's election was the first time I became actively engaged and interested in policy and initiatives being put forward by the parties. At that time, having a particular interest in the education policy, I especially noted the "education revolution" put forward by Labor. Having watched the 7.30 Report last night (9/10/08), I was extremely impressed with the leadership, strength, composure, and appropriate responses of Kevin Rudd on the financial situation across the globe and in Australia. I felt it important to write in to say, for the first time in a long time, I felt a leading politician was responding in very appropriate ways that are needed by the Australian society.
Emma Liversidge
Gold Coast QLD
10 October 2008
_______________________________Update the public holidays so they are relevant. Out with Labor Day and the Queen's Birthday and in with Environment Day and Kokoda Day. Some say the States decide this things but a clear lead from the Federal Government would get things moving in the right direction.
Bill Adams
West Lakes Shore SA
10 October 2008
_____________________________I just saw the PM interviewed by Kerry O'Brien and was very impressed with his responses in regards to the growing economic crisis. I responded to his commitment to true leadership and to avoiding political commentary. There is too much fear mongering in modern politics and I am surprised that Mr O'Brien continued to ask for your financial predictions and fears. He should know better than to ask irresponsible questions. Keep up the great work - 10 months strong!
Matthew Neilson
Montrose VIC
9 October 2008
_____________________________________
When President Nixon took the US dollar off the gold standard in 1973, the monetary system took on the now common behaviour of instability. This is very well known but governments don't want to know as it makes it too simple to solve the present problems. So just go back onto the gold standard. Look at the historic price of gold for the two hundred years before 1973 and thereafter.
Davin Scott
Devonport TAS
9 October 2008
_______________________________
I think the financial crisis is the result
of deregulation and globalisation. It is the greed that has put us in this
position. I hear of the clever antics of those with wealth and power who will locate
to areas anywhere in the world to be free of responsibility to maximise their wealth.
If we must persist in this globalisation, there needs to be globalisation in
laws to ensure trade can be refused if there is evidence of pollution and or
exploitation of any sort.
Margaret Moir
Berri SA
8 October 2008
_________________________________
It is impossible not to notice the undue prominence given on ABC TV and radio to Malcolm Turnbull. This even amounts to him being given priority over the PM on many issues. While recognising Turnbull is the opposition leader and needs media time, he should be treated as such and not presented as the defacto PM. I cannot speak for listeners and viewers in other states, but it is glaringly obvious in Queensland.
William Sams
Sunrise Beach QLD
8 October 2008
____________________ Regarding the forthcoming review of pensions, I trust the Government will consider the plight of all welfare recipients and not just the Aged Pensioners. Any increase in pension payments should be extended to all those relying on income support, including the unemployed. As a sole parent studying full time, I also am struggling. I would argue that my household costs are greater than an aged pensioner with no dependents and my studies and caring responsibilities make it very difficult to add to my income with paid employment. I am a widow, so receive no support either financially or emotionally from my child's father.
Helen Franklin
Ballarat VIC
7 October 2008
____________________________I came across Bill Henson's photography when my daughter was doing Art
for the HSC and her photographs were likened to his. I felt that his portrayal
of youth was touching, personal and deeply insightful. As a mother, educator
and psychologist I was not at all offended nor concerned and I certainly did
not feel that he had transgressed the boundaries of what should be acceptable
in our society. Sure some of his photos are confrontational, but great art
often is. Sadly, some adults will always be sexually attracted to young
children; this is of great concern and we have a duty to do whatever we can to
protect them from harm. But censoring Henson's photos will not make a scrap of
difference to this outcome.
Susan Owens
Balmain NSW
7 October 2008
___________________________Federal and Sate Labor governments have recently made a commitment to fast-track infrastructure projects in order to shore up our country against recession. I think this is a good move but would like to be assured that these projects will be built in such a way that no significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions is brought about. Large infrastructure projects will require large amounts of energy for their construction. I suggest the Government commit to building-in renewable energy generation as part of the infrastructure plan. This would mean setting aside enough money for each project to build its own power source, which could go on providing energy long after the the project is completed. If we are serious about trying to prevent catastrophic climate change, then we must think about how greenhouse gases can be reduced for everything we do.
Heather Cousland
Ashwood VIC
6 October 2008
___________________________Prime Minister Rudd has called for a check on the greed mentality of banks and other financial institutions, and the corporate sector. Currently there is a volatile cannibalistic mentality adopted by those who should have been taught the dangers of "greed is good." Greed leads to corruption and abuse of the law. Would the Liberal Party have been so honest in this time of crisis?
William Boeder
Rosebery TAS
5 October 2008
____________________ My beloved wife of 43 years (she is 68) has been struck down with a major stroke, and has to go into full care nursing - probably for the rest of her life. My comment is to point out the huge gap that lies between physically incapacitated people who need full care, and those people who need full aged care. At present there is no differentiation in public care facilities between these two groups. Consequently my wife, who is mentally sound and not incontinent, is placed with people who generally are suffering dementia and incontinent. This is a terrible situation for her, and many others like her. We desperately need separate full care facilities for those younger people who need full care. Our aged care facilities are just that - 'aged' care - and are soul destroying institutions for people such as my wife and the many younger people who are in her position (eg there is one woman stroke victim of 21 in an 'aged care' facility) .
Peter Williams
Mount Hutton NSW
4 October 2008
__________________________Good on you Labor! Being part of a dedicated team that formed a Community Centre to supply some basic services to this "isolated" district, it was refreshing to receive the news from the Federal Member for the Seat of Flynn (Chris Trevor MP) that Labor had increased the amount available to associations like ours under the Volunteer Grants Program to $5000 and, more importantly, there is now a provision for associations to receive a grant to help out with volunteer petrol costs. Thanks for the help to struggling Community Associations such as ours.
Kevin Grose
Baffle Creek QLD
3 October 2008
____________________________I agree that to have children is a personal choice. Why should some-one else pay for you to have an income while you are off work building yourself a family. If you cannot afford kids, you should not have any or you should get yourself a second job. The welfare system is still there for the needy and the greedy, but everyone else please fund your baby time from your own resources.
Olive Weir
Brisbane QLD
3 October 2008
_________________________With the push to get new nurses into the health care system, why don't we look inside it and bring it up to a level playing field first. Nurses in the aged care system have the lowest wages, the worst benefits, and worst conditions. We say we are looking at improving care to our growing aged sector, so why not start there and make sure that they have the best possible care available. Happy aged care nurses would be a great start.
Col Myers
Springwood QLD
3 October 2008
____________________ I wish life could be easier for the not so fortunate. I am so sick of being poor, and renting privately. Hurry along with well designed community housing - there are so many empty buildings around. Why do cashed up folk have to own so many properties, most of which remain empty for most the the year. Greed is not good; Gordon got it wrong.
Pamela Oberman
Coolangatta QLD
3 October 2008
___________________________I am sick of advertising still using the imperial system. We have been metric for 40 years and still things like televisions are advertised as 46". The metric system should be the mandatory primary description in advertising, with the option of providing the imperial version.
Andrew Hilton
Carindale QLD
2 October 2008
__________________________I agree with Senator John Faulkner about reducing senate terms from 6 years to 4 years and at the same time come in line with the House of Reps. This should have happened years ago.
Greg Thomson
Brassall QLD
2 October 2008
___________________________I welcome the report into paid maternity leave; my only concern is that it will not be implemented soon enough. I am a 29 year-old women with many friends having recently started a family or about to start. I know that paid maternity leave will definitely have a profound effect on their health and wellbeing. Australia was one of the first countries to give women the vote and I hope that paid maternity leave is implemented very quickly in Australia so we can hold our head up in the Equal Opportunity arena again.
Elisabeth Backhouse
Melbourne VIC
1 October 2008
______________________________My wife and I are currently renting and saving up to buy our first home. We have already saved some but because of tax on the interest of our savings it has been hard to keep up with property values. When I heard about the First Home Savers Accounts, I thought finally we would get a break. But as I check the details of the FHSA I notice the requirement that we have save for at least for four years before we become eligible to withdraw money towards our house. This is too long for us to wait so we will miss out again. Yet it seems the wealthy can now set up accounts for each of their children and ensure they have a tax funded deposit for a home in years to come. Can I suggest removing the 4 year rule so the people who want to buy a house in the near future will also get some benefit; and ensure the savings in the account come from 'earned income' of the individual rather than contributions from elsewhere (ie rich parents).
Bengt Johansson
Mosman NSW
1 October 2008
____________________________My concern is too much happening too quickly for people to have time to digest, think about, and hopefully appreciate. My 34 year-old university educated son said that he felt Labor was not good at getting across the good work they are doing. I have been thrilled to have Labor finally back in power but am so aware that the media is basically still run by owners who are pro-Liberal. To stay in power and achieve the goals we require, we need to get the correct (truthful) information to all people.
Margaret Moir
Berri SA
30 September 2008
________________________The only choice the Government has on climate change is large cuts in greenhouse gases quickly. There is no time left for "balance". Whatever the recommendations Ross Garnaut delivers, the governments objective must be to keep CO2 under 450 parts per million. My vote for Kevin Rudd was for this purpose alone. If the sea level rises, I will be one of the first to lose my house and I would like to think that the only person I had to blame was Howard.
Geoff Kennedy
Apollo Bay VIC
30 September 2008
__________________________I think the Government should appoint a roving ambassador for climate change to get other countries on board.
Jill Storch
Huonville TAS
30 September 2008
________________________________Please consider carefully before making any commitment to government funded maternity leave payments. I for one do not approve of my tax dollars being spent to support somebody else's personal lifestyle decisions. Having children is a choice many couples make and it's a wonderful thing to have a a child/children. But it is a personal choice and tax dollars should be used for something more productive than buffering a couples bank account because of their personal choice to have a baby. I think many Australians need to realise that their decisions are their own, and they need to take responsibility for these decisions. Nobody is forced to have a baby, therefore it is a choice, and therefore these people should be supporting themselves financially.
Gary Fox
Darwin NT
29 September 2008
_____________________________________Every year in NSW there are 40,000 emergency admissions related to alcohol and drug abuse. I suggest that, instead of having more hospital beds, the Minister should ask these patient pay for their admission so they can learn a lesson. People have to take responsibility for their own actions - not ask the health department and taxpayers to pick up the bill.
Jennie Rutter
Gladesville NSW
28 September 2008
________________________________Yes, I voted Labor and fully support Mr Rudd's overseas trips. I can't believe the ignorance of those that can't see the necessity of these. Furthermore Julie Gillard, wow! Truly, I have so much respect and admiration for her. From first hearing her on television last year, she continues to impress. Truly a brilliant and very clever lady. Whilst Julia Gillard is in the forefront, I believe Labour can do no wrong. I hope many have the intelligence to see this.
Gabrielle Buckle
Calamvale QLD
28 September 2008
_____________________________Is "short selling" a Weapon of Mass Destruction! I cannot believe that we can have such a system in place that gives a tool that someone can use to bring down an economy! Terrorist groups seem to have ample funds, so isn't it possible for them to target large companies through the "short selling tool" and destroy them and at the same time make huge profits. They can then use these profits to target more companies! So is the terrorists ultimate "Weapon of Mass Destruction" the anti-market tool "short selling" whose only goal is to bring down a company's value.
Norm Pietersz
Sydney NSW
28 September 2008
___________________________I have sent both Mr Nelson and Mr Turnbull an email recently explaining that they had eleven years to give pensioners an increase but chose not to. I also told them that I had written to both Mr Howard and Mr Costello on three separate occasions in 2007, pleading and begging for an increase in the disability pension and to stop blaming the Labor Party for the predicament that we pensioners are currently in. I also had a go at them for the way in which the Liberal politicians are always shouting insults and abusing the Labor politicians, both verbally and psychologically. Why can't they all work together for the betterment of this country and its people.
Cheryl Bowden
Mackay QLD
27 September 2008
_________________________I and most of the people I know are disgusted with Turnbull. Approximately 3 months or so before their ship sank at the 2007 election, when he was Environment Minister, he saw fit to grant some millions of taxpayer dollars to a company to produce a "rain making machine." I think you would have better chance producing rain with a dance! Turnbull should be asked a few questions on this issue to enlighten the taxpayer!
Issac Lean
Mascot NSW
26 September 2008
__________________________Whilst the USA financial meltdown is disastrous, I suggest that the ALP Government push the fact that threats can also provide opportunities. For example, the issues surrounding climate change could see the emergence of a new financial order where ethics are the new order rather than greed. The Labor Government can in such ways engender hope in the community with a realistic vision for the future.
Jill Storch
Huonville TAS
26 September 2008
__________________________The simple answer on how to stave off a banking crisis here. We were given the answer way back in 1911 by a politician from Tasmania called O'Malley, an ex American banker. He warned our parliament that we should have our own people's bank or we would constantly be in the hands of American financiers for our borrowings. He convinced our other politicians after a lot of argument and our own bank the Commonwealth opened in Melbourne. That same bank financed us through World War I at an interest rate of about half a percent. The Bank amongst other things financed the Trans Continental Railway and many more government projects at lower interest rates as well as the general public into homes and businesses. We must get our own people's back again for the good of all Australians and get out of the hands of the US financiers and their fairy floss currency.
Frank Crichlow
Carrara QLD
26 September 2008
_________________________I would like to congratulate the Labor Government on the initiative to give tax relief to families for expenditure in educating their kids. But I'd like to see it extended to those families whose university age children do not qualify for assistance. Being PAYG employees, we struggled to send our kids to uni while more affluent people's kids qualified for subsidies because their parents were able to write off expenses. We didn't mind paying out for our kids, but a bit of help in the way of a tax concession for doing so would have made a huge difference.
Mary Langler
Park Ridge South QLD
26 September 2008
__________________________Welfare handouts encourage family breakups. Stats now show that more
than half of all families break up and with government ready and willing to
fund "escape plans" for unhappy partners it's no wonder. I'm no fan
of the solo parent family as it is twice as costly to the nation as the old
fashioned way of life; viz Mum Dad and the kids. I realise of course that some of the best Australians are solo parents or children of. But I think governments should park the welfare money gravy train at the top of the cliff and spend some of it educating folks to be better able to look after themselves and so
avoid welfare dependency. If Government welfare programs actually decrease the percentage
of folks living on welfare, then it's money well spent.
Olive Weir
Brisbane
QLD
26 September 2008
_________________________Malcolm Turnbull has always liked to hear the sound of his own voice. He starred in the debating team at school and thinks this is just one more debate to be won. He will say whatever he thinks will bring him the most approbation because he has no investment.
Barbara Fahey
Toormina NSW
25 September 2008
______________________I congratulate the government for the brilliant idea of reforming the Medicare Levey Surcharge. I believe strongly in the wonderful public health system in Australia, even though I work in the private health system. I have paid the surcharge in the past because I would rather contribute to general revenue than the massive profits of insurance companies. They bully and control hospitals and patients by their deals with individual health care groups (such as which items they'll pay for, how long patients can stay, etc) They are dangerously close to copying the US style. Keep up your genius reform thinking. The support on the ground is overwhelming.
Colleen Coghlan
Prahran VIC
24 September 2008
____________________________The Opposition wants to spend more than a billion dollars on an increase to the aged pension. Senior Australians are not the only ones relying on the Government to meet increasing costs of living and financial pressures. What about Australia's students? These young people - the key drivers of Australia's economic future - are expected to live on less than $180 per week. That's $100 per week less than those on the aged pension. Something tells me the Opposition are not really interested in the people and their well-being - this is a cheap political stunt (actually its not cheap at all) that's about buying votes - not compassion or a fair go.
Iain Murchland
Pasadena SA
24 September 2008
_____________________________I am writing about pensions. I believe that the tax cuts given on 1 July were wrong. Well off people received tax cuts who didn't need them. I look at the problem, however, more as an intergenerational problem. So called young families will be well off when they retire because of Paul Keating's super guarantee. Today's old age pensioners didn't have such a plan. It is wrong that the money goes to younger people rather than older people.
Hugh Brooker
Pendle Hill NSW
24 September 2008
___________________________I watched today's Parliament sitting, and I was thinking: what is the fuss about the $30 pension increase, with the Opposition barking like a dog. Eleven years under Howard's vote-buying policy has created a welfare state and people no longer have the work ethic to save their money for their old age. The government has to provide from birth to death. In the meantime, we have broken roads, hospitals and schools, a shortage in skilled labor, etc. A shortsighted Howard government created all the mess; it is time to clean up and making this country a creative working nation. I think the pension should be indexed by how many years people have worked and how much tax they have paid.
Jennie Rutter
Gladesville NSW
24 September 2008
_________________________How can we trust the current leader of the Opposition when, as the Howard Government minister responsible for the environment, he approved & condoned the discharge of toxins into a turtle breeding habitat situated in the Great Barrier Reef marine Park adjacent to an internationally recognised pristine beach at Agnes Water in Queensland. Shame on you Mr Turnbull!
Kevin Grose
Baffle Creek QLD
23 September 2008
____________________
I have just read a comment by a Liberal politician by the name of George Brandis stating that: "in the Howard, Costello government pensioners always had a few dollars in their pockets". Well, having been a pensioner since 1996 I have never had a few dollars in my pocket. Where this character is coming from is beyond me. As far as I'm concerned, the man is an ostrich.
Vincent Sargeant
Lara VIC
23 September 2008
______________________________As Kevin Rudd is being damned if he does (UN), damned if he doesn't (Japan) travel overseas to important meetings and the like - why don't we get rid of the GG post and have a President. Then the President can go to the non-essential, more ceremonial functions, leaving the Prime Minister to run the country. As Malcolm Turnbull is our self-annointed #1 Republican, he must surely agree to this and we will finally get the Republic we want.
Duane Wilson
Bunbury WA
23 September 2008
__________________________Mr Turnbull says his new front line political line-up reflects a strong Coalition emphasis on economic management. Indeed, a check of the educational expertise of the people involved reveals:
Malcolm Turnbull – lawyer (Leader of Opposition); Julie Bishop, lawyer (Shadow Treasurer); Joe Hockey, lawyer (Shadow Finance); Helen Coonan, lawyer (Shadow Foreign Affairs); Greg Hunt, lawyer (Shadow Climate Change); Christopher Pyne, lawyer (Shadow Education).Such Liberal fiscal expertise has the economy fully covered. Lipsticked pigs might also soon fly!
Lew
Louthean
North Fremantle WA
22 September 2008
____________________________The latest ALP email newsletter is full of wonderful achievements and programs locking into place. Is there something wrong with our media connection? This stuff is simply not getting into print or getting air time. Most people I have spoken to since returning from a 3 months overseas trip say the government has done nothing. What's gone wrong ? We need to get the media on the ball.
Mark Oddie
Sorrento VIC
22 September 2008
_________________________It is great to see Julia Gillard on the television answering questions. I admire her quiet confident manner but can I suggest not getting caught up with the string pulling from the opposition and continue to be assured that they will defeat themselves because they really have not left the notion behind that they are the only ones who can govern the country.
Margaret Moir
Berri SA
22 September 2008
___________________________Congratulations. I have read the new workplace relations article and applaud the return of 'common sense'. This is obviously the outcome of extensive talks and negotiations. Go, you good people, go!
Judy Bevan
Bundaberg QLD
21 September 2008
________________________Please help to ensure in this financial crisis that he people who made the money creating the problem pay for it and not the common Australian taxpayer. Too often in capitalism the few who profit on the way up, escape, and leave the rest of us to wear the clean up bill.
Terry Osland
Singleton NSW
21 September 2008
_________________________As a member of the Labor Party and a resident of Country NSW, I wish to express my concern in relation to holding a meeting of Local Government leaders. In NSW, there are a high proportion of rural councils which represent very small constituencies and are disproportionately represented by the dominant Nationals. Do you really believe that you would get an unbiased opinion?
Meryl Dillon
Moree NSW
21 September 2008
___________________________I think that Labor is doing a fabulous job and the younger generation definitely supports it. In an assignment in class, nearly all the kids are doing their speech on Labor! That includes me. I have always supported this worthy party and I am so sorry that we do not have a Labor premier in WA. Personally, I am afraid of the consequences of this and I fear that education and teaching standards will go down without a firm hand at the rudder. God Bless Labor!
Holly Renner
City Beach WA
20 September 2008
______________________The only effective way to fix the lack of organs available for transplants is to make it automatic for deceased persons organs to be used unless they had specifically withdrawn their consent. At present, too few people offer their organs because it is too much trouble, and they don't believe they will die, be it of natural causes or unexpectedly. Obviously not all organs would be used, but doctors would have plenty to draw on at all times, rather than waiting years while sick people suffer while waiting.
Barry Bloor
Woolgoolga NSW
20 September 2008
____________________
Congratulations on the new Transplanation and organ Donation arrangements...long overdue!
Christine Saunders
Sydney NSW
20 September 2008
____________________ The new government initiative of $100m for a carbon capture and storage research facility is a great idea - we certainly need more investment into research that assists our current battle with climate change. However, I hope the availability of funding is wider in scope that just CO2 sequestration. There are several simple issues with CO2 sequestration that should make us focus on alternative solutions as well. For starters, to bury CO2 takes up 1000 times more space than the coal that was mined to create it. If we can make this technology work, where are we going to find that much space?
Renee Geelen
Ashfield NSW
20 September 2008
___________________________It is great that you are acknowledging the organ donation problem in this country. The problem is that not enough Australians are donating their organs. The direct effect of this is that there are many unnecessary deaths and many more that suffer needlessly. The indirect effect is that in developing countries horrible things are done to healthy people in order to meet the demand for organs in this country. But public education is not a solution. Most Australians are self-interested and that is unfortunate but completely natural. So why not do something like the United Kingdom's opt out policy? Where people must opt out of organ donation registers. This means that only people that are passionate about retaining their organs after death will.
James White
Watson ACT
19 September 2008
____________________________The new workplace relations system is fair and flexible - a good system should help both the employees and the employers. I also suggest capping the maximum working hours. My daughter works for a law firm and to meet the deadlines she worked 36 hours straight. She is young, but these hours are harmful; it might increase this nations medical costs. We have a minimum living wage, so we also need maximum working hours in a shift to eliminate work-related injuries. I remember before my injury I worked 8 hours normal shift and then was called and recalled - alltogether, it was 20 hours straight.
Jennie Rutter
Gladesville NSW
19 September 2008
_______________________
Save the Murray! Allow the barrage walls to open with the natural tidal movements to control sea water/ fresh water flows up & down the system. The sea water will breathe new life into the lower reaches and will only penetrate upstream a relatively short distance. Our previous ancestors meddling with the natural state of the landscape and water is a failure and we should return the ecosystem to pre-European settlement condition. The meddling was a short sighted venture based on European farming practices and ideas with short term gains but now we are paying.
Jeremy Green
Habana QLD
19 September 2008
__________________________The one issue that I (selfishly) am concerned about is the plight of the pensioners.....all I'm hearing is"the plight of SINGLE pensioners". Believe me, the married couples aren't doing so well either....many like myself can't even guarantee ourselves a decent funeral when we "fall off the perch". So please let's hear it for ALL pensioners....not just the single variety! Carry on the good work; I know you're all trying!
Pam Cotton
Sale VIC
19 September 2008
___________________I am a staunch Green voter but want to congratulate Prime Minister Rudd on his strong stance on Climate Change. I am a student of Bachelor Planning and Sustainability @ Murdoch university. Australia needs to create an outstanding "green collar" sector of our economy. We can be at the forefront of a renewable revolution and, as China is progressing in this area, we have the opportunity to make a strong regional partnership with them. I think the agreement with Toyota to start making our own hybrids is a fantastic opportunity to get the ball rolling; why not design a green SUV? And increase the incentives to buy less thirsty/hybrid cars...carpe diem!
Arida Lingard
Armadale WA
18 September 2008
________________________________________
The news about the purchase of Toorale Station is uplifting, but it is only the first step. It is imperative that more properties of the importance of Toorale be purchased and their stored water released in perpetuity to restore the health of the MDB.
Allan & Jillian Tacon
Mount Eliza VIC
18 September 2008
___________________________Now Nelson's gone, I hope the Liberals can stop playing political football and the blame game. We taxpayers also are paying the shadow ministry. A good government needs a strong opposition, but not so much of blocking good policies and then blame the government for not making decisions. I hope Mr Turnbull can form a bipartisanship, help fine tune Labor's good policies, support reforms and make Australia a better place. It is time for Liberals to change. National interest is more important their party politics.
Jennie Rutter
Gladesville NSW
18 September 2008
_____________________________In a country suffering severe water shortages but surrounded by the sea on all sides where our populations are concentrated why are we not rapidly pursuing the path of desalination plants and extensive R&D of this technology as our saviour across the whole country? Yes, it is expensive but someone has to bite the bullet, open the purse strings and just do it for our country's future.
Jeremy Green
Habana QLD
17 September 2008
____________________ I noticed in Labor's enews a description of disabled people as being some of the most marginalised in society, which is correct. Yet age pensioners get a $500 bonus but not Disability Support Pensioners. Many with life long disabilities have never had the chance to work and receive super to help supplement their pension, through no fault of their own. DSP recipients also have expenses associated with being disabled that age pensioners don't have. Age pensioners have a Seniors Card which entitles them to many discounts that DSP recipients don't get. Disability Pensioners often suffer in silence because it's difficult to get out a protest.
David McDougall
Woy Woy NSW
17 September 2008
_________________________________Good work Mr Rudd with the assistance to DSPs re employment! I'm very happy to hear this good news. I am appreciating so much that you understand how hard it is for anyone with a disability to get a job or another job if they lose their job. Thanks again Rudd, keep up the good work.
Michelle De Stefano
Port Noarlunga SA
17 September 2008
______________________________
Best of luck to the ALP in government. Its great to see a government that is developing serious initiatives on the environment, fixing up the Howard government's disgusting detention policy, doing something about innovation and so on.
Armin Fahnle
Highton VIC
17 September 2008
______________________________
The new rules to help Disability Pensioners is greatest thing that has
ever happened for them. The majority are capable of working and are
willing to work either full or part time in light jobs. Thanks Mr Rudd
and the Labor Party for supporting the disabled who had to suffer in
poverty under the conservatives.
Miron Lovric
Tagbilaran, Philippines
16 September 2008
_________________________I have noticed the HECS or HELP debt is getting out of control with many people who have degrees trying their hardest to avoid paying it off. Perhaps the Government could consider an amnesty on old HECS debts - the idea being that if the person wishes to clear their debt in the next year they need only pay the original debt accrued at the time of completing their studies. If they make good on payment, the debt is gone; if they don't take advantage of it, the debt reverts to the indexed amount. This could increase revenue at a time that it is most needed as well as clearing outstanding debts. Just an idea. Keep up the good work.
Adrian Finch
Townsville QLD
16 September 2008
_______________________As a supporter of your Government, I would like to express my thanks for the utilities allowance and increased phone allowance plus the lump sum that has been recently added to the pensions in Australia. It has certainly helped us to exist but unfortunately pensioners need more. I know things are difficult but I am sure that something could be done to assist us with rents which are increasing dramatically and also the cost of petrol which has virtually forced pensioners to use the car only for special needs. In the country, without public transport, the car is our only alternative and we now have to make a tank of petrol last for two pensions (or 4 weeks) where it used to be one pension (or two weeks). As a taxpayer all our lives but not with any substantial superannuation, that is not how we should have to exist.
Donald Tetley
Tathra NSW
15 September 2008
_______________________Well done Minister with the purchase of Toorale Station. It's about time someone did something concrete about the Murray Darling Basin. A good start that now needs to grow into something larger. Around 90% of NSW Wetlands reside in the west; it's time they were looked after. Perhaps some of the area might go to National Park.
Dr Richard Gates
Evans Head NSW
15 September 2008
_________________________Global Warming: I am urgently requesting the government to do more. Look at the three major sectors that causes climate change: industry, transportation and animal raising for meat. The communities are asking what can they do to help in reducing global warming. We are putting a lot of energy and resources into producing animals for meat; this is very damaging to our ecosystem and the planet. If all Australians will just go without meat or animal by-products for one week, then we will reduce millions tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Steve Pham
Fairfield
West NSW
14
September 2008
_______________________Thank you ALP, for the Tribute to Gough Whitlam on your website. I grew up during the Whitlam years, and while Gough did have his foibles, he was a man of vision and conviction, and all Australians benefited from his Prime Ministership. As you stated, many of his initiatives and reforms remain to this day. Best wishes to Kevin Rudd and team. It's good to see politicians with a heart again. As someone famously said, "Australia is a society with an economy" and not the other way around.
Eddie Romano
Innes Park QLD
13 September 2008
_________________________I do agree with an increase in taxes on luxury cars and some alcoholic drinks. Pensions need to be increased rather sooner than later, add free public transport in off peak periods (less cars on the roads). These increases can happen immediately if the above tax increases are passed by the senate.The pensioners would be happy.
Heinz Koster
Hobart TAS
12 September 2008
_____________________
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson must think the people of Australia have extremely short memories, or that we are extremely stupid! Why didn't the Libs do for pensioners what he is saying they will do now during the 10-plus years they were in power? They had plenty of chances to do the "Right Thing"! It’s a bit late now for them to spruik about how generous they would be, and to prance around taking the moral high ground. The Libs had the same "future fund" to be generous from, and they hung onto it with the deathly grip of a Scotsman with a 5 pound note!
Jenny Bell
Nuriootpa SA
12 September 2008
_________________________
I agree with Wayne Swan that pension reform has to be within the context
of the annual budget. I suggest that, in the process, we decide what the
pension is supposed to provide for, given the fairly recent news item that some
people are now retiring who still haven't paid out their mortgages, or who are
having to rent, as is our case. My wife and I are getting pensions, which
fluctuate according to my earnings or the lack of them (such as during the
school holidays). And yes, we do get an allowance for rental, which is only a
fraction of what we actually pay. My guess is that, when pensions were
originally set, it was assumed that the pensioners owned their own homes and
everything in them, including the family car, so all they needed was some
pocket money to ensure they had enough to pay for their food and drink. I suggest the time may have come to reassess
those assumptions.John Wilson
Bacchus Marsh VIC
11 September 2008
_______________________________
I am a strong supporter of the Libertarian Democratic Party of Australia and so my views are usually radically against labor policies. However, the Labor government has proven me wrong and appears to be doing a rather outstanding effort. Whilst I'll always be an opponent, I can contently say I'll manage for the next four years until election rolls around again. Best of luck to your left-wing ideologies.
Adam Young
Charmhaven NSW
11 September 2008
___________________________I agree with both Val Hooper & Grant Collin said (in an earlier posting on this page...ed) in regards to current media political reporting. I believe it is vital that Labor get its message across and soon! As things stand it feels like the Liberal Party are still in power! If the people currently employed to get the info out to the general public aren't doing their job, then find people who can. Most people believe what they hear on TV and/or read in newspapers and if you repeat something often enough it is believed to be the truth. Surely there must be a way to counteract the preference given to the Opposition in our media.
Ailita Pang
Southport QLD
11 September 2008
___________________As a former teacher, I am very concerned at the constant attacks on teacher morale. It is a very stressful job at the best of times, so let's acknowledge the difficulties that teachers face and get away from the threat to jobs. And while sorting out the failures of literacy and numeracy teaching in primary schools, why not a concerted effort to supply one-to-one literacy tuition in secondary schools to those in difficulties? With success in this approach, how many of the truancy problems would be eliminated? How many jail places would not be required? How much effective labour would be created? How many lives would be transformed?
Colin Cleary
Epsom VIC
10 September 2008
_____________________Globally, around 10 million children under the age of 5 die each year. In developing countries, approximately half a million mothers die in childbirth each year. Australia can reach its internationally-agreed level of overseas aid of 0.7% by 2015. Our increased aid alone could save an estimated 75,000 children and 15,000 mothers every year.
Jeff McKinnon
Launceston TAS
10 September 2008
________________________I don't like the law that is going to be introduced which is P-platers aren't allowed to drive V8, supercharged or turbo cars. It is going to ruin my choice of cars and my dream of a Skyline GTR R34 is shattered.
Eusebio Teixeira-Reis
Spearwood WA
10 September 2008
_____________________________One easy to help pensioners who are still able to do some part time or casual work is to enable them to do so without penalty - as they can do in New Zealand, where pensioners can earn up to $10,000 without losing any pension.
Neville Johnson
Sherwood QLD
10 September 2008
________________________
John Greenshields
Millswood SA
10 September 2008
____________________I am 65 this year. I have chosen to help my finances (I cannot live on the single pension) and intellectual wellbeing by returning to casual contract employment. If I did not or could not work, and that time will come, I could not live on the pension for singles/single women as it is and paying private rental because there is not enough housing stock available. When I do work, I lose part of my pension. So, I am in a state of 'never getting ahead' to save for health needs, optical, dental, ad infinitum, and always in a state of 'catch up'. I would like to continue as long as possible in my employment which I enjoy very much knowing I am assisting someone who is less fortunate than myself. But the current system of reducing the pension for a few hours work is untenable at best and at worst amoral.
Diana Lee-Gobbitt
Windsor NSW
9 September 2008
____________________________I notice your article on "Net tightens on child support evaders". I would like to suggest that you come up with the following "net tightens on Disability Pensioners rorting the system". I'm nearly 63 years old and a genuine Disability Pensioner and, as you know, we received nothing over the 12 years of the Howard Government (only the CPI increase). With 700,000 on a DSP, I would reckon at least 45% are not genuine, especially those with 'back ache' or those with several wives and kids! Tighten the net on the rorters please!
Linda Wood
Heathridge WA
9 September 2008
_______________________________As 2@70 plus pensioners, we would like to pass on our support for an increase in the age pension. Our savings will be gone in about 3 years time so for us an increase is essential. Remember, for most of our working lives, there was no mandatory super so we really are the lost generation.
Derick Corry
Parkdale VIC
9 September 2008
____________________ I am 68 years old and receive an age pension. I am lucky enough to be able to work one day per week and receive about $400. After my pension is reduced for each dollar, I am working 7 1/2 hours for about $150.00 more than if I stayed home and did nothing. I don't think at my age I should be penalised so harshly because I am fortunate to be wanted in the workforce at a high rate of pay.
Beverley Fox
Five Dock NSW
9 September 2008
____________________ The pension certainly need to be boosted and perhaps a one-off payment would be suffice, but I wish some of them would give up the "pokies etc"; maybe then they "may" have some money too spend on food etc.
Greg Thomson
Ipswich QLD
9 September 2008
_____________________Once you've dealt with all your other major policies, I would really like something done about the way television is regulated. I know it doesn't seem like much, but the conservative manner in which television has been broadcast in the last 11 years is absolutely disgusting and I'm quite concerned about the effect it's having on society.
Luke Roberts
Daisy Hill QLD
8 September 2008
______________________________Food for thought only. I do not like the idea of nationalising banks, but what can a government do if the banks do not pass on a drop in interest rates and readily put them up without one? Go to another bank? But they too haven't dropped their rates. Banks still charge me if my account is under $500 but not if it is over. I cannot understand that logic.
John Hannon
Townsville QLD
7 September 2008
____________________________The Government's initiatives on employment participation & targeting skill shortage in regions is a good idea. Especially, it is important to relocate unemployed people or migrants who have difficulties find jobs in their desired location, as in big cities like Sydney. It is an act shoot two birds. Sydney's infrastructure just cannot cope without Federal support, and the proposals take off some of the pressure caused by population.
Jennie Rutter
Gladesville NSW
6 September 2008
________________________The political debate in this country is becoming a shameful farce, bickering over who gets the money. The Coalition has adopted a "dog in the manger" attitude, opposing everything, because they cannot deal with their election loss. This attitude seems to be working, especially in the Senate. It would be a good idea for Labor to denounce the Coalition as using "dog in the manager" politics (if they cannot run the country, nobody else can), because they cannot get over their election defeat.
Robert Anderson
Moore Park Beach QLD
5 September 2008
_________________________________________I have been an English/ESL teacher for about 30 years and every time I see "pilot program" I break out in a rash. Our school doesn't have enough textbooks. I tear-up every time I see three ESL students sharing a science book. Why don't we reduce the price of books and magazines drastically? By the way, I look forward to the private schools publishing their incomes from school fees. I think the inequity in funding for schools is criminal. Bring back the '70s when we had books and public support and disadvantaged schools. Bless your hearts if all this means more money for public schools.
Christine Wright
Putney NSW
5 September 2008
_________________________________I believe the Rudd Government should take the steps to legitimise same sex civil unions. While the Government has introduced legislation into parliament to alter existing discriminate laws and provide equality in tax, health, superannuation, aged care and other areas, marriage remains an issue. Many countries world-wide allow marriage or civil unions for homosexual people - Canada, New Zealand, UK, The Netherlands to name a few. It is my firm belief that in order to truly move forward, Australia needs to put its prejudice aside and amend the Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill.
Luke Hooper
Armidale NSW
4 September 2008
______________________
Whilst what the Victorian Government is doing in my part of the world has been outstanding, publicising it has been very poor. We also have a need for more spending on infrastructure - particularly roads & the continued piping of all open waterways/irrigation channels. To the country people, this is of far more value than pipes from the Murray to Melbourne! I commend, in particular, Gayle Tierney for her hard work & ability to communicate.
Stafford Hall
Hamilton VIC
4 September 2008
_________________________
You only have to casually glance at the dwindling competition within the Australian Retail Liquor Industry to see that the ACCC has no problem with the dominance of both Coles and Woolworths within this retail sector or any other. It makes there job easier because they only have to concentrate on just two contenders within this market place. Something is clearly wrong with the system when restauranteurs and independent traders can regularly buy alcohol products from the two big liquor chains cheaper than from representatives of Fosters and the other large companies themselves. The ACCC has comfortably and knowingly allowed the level of competition within the Australian retail liquor industry to decrease over the past decade. So why should any other retail sector be any different?
Bernard Cohen
Adelaide SA 4
September 2008
_______________________
The ALP is doing a great many things right and the Rudd Government is a breath of fresh air (literally with the arrival of the Green Paper on the emissions trading scheme.) However, criticism is the popular currency in politics and I intend to have my two bob's worth. No graduate teacher in a Superman costume is going to save a failing school. Australian education can be saved - but it involves planning like the planning behind Australia 2020. We need to ask the teachers and the school communities for the solutions. Having recently been teaching in UK schools, the ones I was in were no better than ours and, in many ways, worse. The semi-privatisation of them resulted low morale, teacher absenteeism, high rates of casualisation, private agencies and school business managers deciding staffing. The worst thing was that education was reinforcing the stratification in English society.
Red Bingham
East St Kilda VIC
4 September 2008
_______________________It's time to change legislation and tax religious organisations. The outdated notion of not taxing religious corporations is not longer relevant. Billions and millions of dollars tax free to these corporations. They get wealthy at the expense of the community. These religious corporations have the best real estate in the country and the preachers and bishops live a well-heeled life benefiting from the rest of the communities taxation.
Diana Woods
Crafers West SA
3 September 2008
_______________________
Math teachers would get a lot more interest from boys if they would relate math problems to real issues such as auto engines and things that boys are interested, like sport. There are enough math problems under those two headings alone to fill a dozen textbooks - so why the dry as dust abstract approach to teaching maths? Subjects of interest to girls are also available - but girls are better students and don't need so much encouragement.
Richard Scotte
Yarralumla ACT
3 September 2008
______________________
Ray Manley
Lara VIC
3 September 2008
________________________
I would like to comment on the literacy and numeracy trials. Whilst it is a good idea to help students in this way, I do not think government funding should be going to non-government schools. The parents of students who attend non government schools do so in the knowledge of paying higher fees so their children get "better" education. This money should go to the students who come from a lesser socio-economic region.
Paul Cook
Gosnells WA
3 September 2008
_____________________
We applaud the stewardship initiative to protect the remnant woodlands of the Lachlan-Murrumbidgee area and hope that this can be extended to other areas. We hope that this policy will give leadership and establish or accelerate a cultural shift from the traditional clear/slash and burn attitude to the land, which still prevails in many regions.
Allan & Jillian Tacon
Mount Eliza VIC
2 September 2008
___________________________
Accountability of individual schools and teachers is long overdue. I am a teacher and it’s a high responsibility job and teachers need to be accountable, need to be constantly evaluating their practice. There are great teachers out there who are frustrated by the constraints of the system - in terms of both curriculum and resources. There are also teachers out there who are not suited to this profession. But any system of accountability must also look at the resources available to teachers and schools; things like all schools having fulltime teachers' aides, on-campus counsellors for teachers, and adequate resources to assist teachers in delivering best teaching practices. Even a re-structuring of wages to allow for teachers to be paid for reasonable time allowances for preparation, marking and administrative duties. It is a well known fact that teachers take a lot of work home - it takes a devoted teacher to do this week in and week out for no pay.
Caroline Cook
Ettalong Beach NSW
2 September 2008
__________________________
To save us all from the predatory practices of Coles and Woolworths, I suggest the ALP +Union Movement set up a fair-price supermarket chain in competition with those two retailing giants to operate on a similar system to the old "co-ops" such as Newcastle Co-Operative Store, for example. We must look after our primary producers while we still have them, and small businesses too must be protected, as must we, the ordinary consumer.
Ron Blanch
Redhead NSW
2 September 2008
____________________In the UK there is a scheme operating where maths and science undergraduates are required, as part of their course, to teach in schools for a certain time. I believe this has led to many maths and Science graduate students taking up teaching careers.
Michael Angel
Wyongah NSW
2 September 2008
________________________
Pierre Nunns
Hoppers Crossing VIC
1 September 2008
_________________________________
I suggest allowing pensioners to show their pension card to excuse them paying the GST at point of purchase. This would be an easy way to reduce the cost of living to all pensioners immediately without them having to wait for the review.
Peter Girdlestone
Bowral NSW
31 August 2008
______________________A big thanks to Senator Louise Pratt for her maiden speech comments on gender identity. It was great to hear the Senator speak about her and her partner Aram and the discrimination they face both individually and as a couple. I hope the Government will take action on this issue.
Marcus Patterson
Unley SA
31 August 2008
_____________________________School and good parenting are the key for this nation. If our kids cannot have good parents and good teachers that will create the whole lots of trouble later in their life and that will affect our nation. Bad schooling and parenting are the mother of all troubles. The PM has a good idea to fix our under-performing scored schools; it is a race, like Olympics. We need competition in schools and good teachers should be well paid and respected for their excellency.
Jennie Rutter
Gladesville NSW
31 August 2008
________________________As a long time ALP supporter, you have lost a few brownie points from me in regards to cutting off Centrelink Benefits for parents who do not send their children to school. A lot of children are scared of going to school because of bullying. I was scared of going to school because of the above which led to lack of self esteem.
John O'Keefe
Adelaide SA
30 August 2008
________________________Parents need to be reminded that it is they who are responsible for their children - it is their attitudes and values and behaviors that are being expressed in the school yard and in the classroom. The home is as much about education as is the school. Far too many parents are indulging in corporate-style self-righteousness demanding that all they have to do is pay for others to educate their children instead of investing the time and to to take responsibility. Parents love to claim a lack of time as an excuse to hand it all over to the private school corporation or the state. This is a terrible mistake
Philip Hewett
Gosford NSW
30 August 2008
__________________________
We need the question of electric cars and electric buses to be discussed.
Australia
could be the world leader. Already an engineering company here is negotiating to
buy rights to a new battery technology that will recharge in minutes, instead
of hours. Consider how Australians would applaud this option, both as a
solution to climate change and petrol prices. Electric cars are already being
used in Europe -
London
even makes them exempt to the inner city toll!
Glenorchy McBride
Chapel Hill QLD
30 August 2008
_____________________About fixing schools, maybe you ought to start with the teachers. My eldest grand-daughter brought home an essay that the teacher gave her an "F" for because of all the spelling mistakes she found. Well, I had a look at it and found 1 spelling mistake, not 11 that she had found. I wrote a note to the school principal and she said that she had found 7 mistakes. I then took it to a university lecturer, who found 1 mistake. I asked her to write a letter to the Education Dept, who very nicely said that the teacher was a bit overworked and that's why she found all the mistakes. This was the first week of the first term of this year. Maybe, instead of worrying about the schools that are not performing well, there needs to be an audit on teachers to see if they can spell, or actually understand what their pupils are writing.
Rick Van Den Berg
Salisbury East SA
30 August 2008
____________________ I fail to understand why each state believes it has cornered the market on educational excellence. What gives Victoria, for example, the right to run its VCE programme, not to mention its CSF, then CSF2, then VELS programmes, because (presumably) it considers the curricula in other states inferior? The total population of Austrralia is less than some overseas cities. Surely we can develop a national educational curriculum without wasting time on having seven re-inventions of the wheel?
John Wilson
Bacchus Marsh VIC
30 August 2008
________________________Can anything be done about the media being owned entirely by Liberal voters? TV and newspapers show us reams of what the opposition thinks and very little of what the Government has to say. Every spiteful comment from the opposition is aired. I find this very frustrating, because the electorate voted overwhelmingly for Labor but the media is turning the impressionable people against them. I believe Labor has to do more to counteract the continual put down which is employed ad nauseum by the Liberals.
Val Hooper
Benowa QLD
29 August 2008
___________________Regarding the new school/welfare payments, I feel this can be unfair for those needing to collect these payments as both my husband and myself are lucky enough to have jobs and work and we have been in the position where our child just refuses to go to school. We have 6 children between us and the youngest quite often just doesn't go to school - because she doesn't want to. What can we do? She is 14 years old. I feel there needs to be more power brokers to enforce school attendance because what police officer is going to put a kid into a police vehicle and take them to school?
Karen Robinson
Kallangur QLD
29 August 2008
_______________________Mr Rudd's education revolution needs one more ingredient - changing the culture and attitudes of many parents. One factor that is totally missing for instance, in considering under-performance in schools, is the number of hours of casual work that students do outside school. It would be a brave principal indeed who issued a ban against senior students having these jobs (which can take up 20 hours of their out of school time). It would result in parents coming up to the school to abuse the principal for interference or daring to suggest that earning money was less important than studying their school subjects. The education revolution has to start with the parents.
Allan and Jillian Tacon
Mount Eliza VIC
29 August 2008
____________________Labor must not give up on bringing about change within The West Australian newspaper. The paper has complete market dominance coupled with overt Liberal party support and lack of journalistic integrity regarding at least pretending to put forth some unbiased reporting. Every second page at the moment contains a disparaging headline regarding the current Labor government whilst at the same time talking up the Liberal campaign. I would say that people should be able to see through the charade but the reality of life is many of the public simply believe what they read. I realise this is not a phenomenon restricted to WA but it has reached epic proportions in this state.
Grant Collin
Yunderup WA
29 August 2008
____________________Certainly the Government's greatest opposition for the policies regarding schools will come from the teacher unions. In NSW they opposed any reporting structures that compared schools - even like schools. I was involved with a school report that compared like schools and, not only did it allow the school to analyse its performance, it was very interesting for parents who were given wide ranging information on all the things you have outlined. It was a good report and while long (16 pages) it did allow the allocation of resources to be done far more effectively. I also support rewarding our best teachers as they are the ones who often do many things in schools other than teaching. Implementing these policies will not be easy, especially with unions that often represent their own agendas and members and not education of the future. I wish you well in bringing about change.