Election Day Commeth 2010

The coming election in 32 days time will decide the future of some initiatives for the future and some of these are fundamental areas that require much considered thinking. It is clear the Australian Labor party, led by Ms Julia Gillard, are seeking to expand infrastructure support programs as well as create affordable housing through community support programs. There is a mix of big projects and small local based projects across the country, and especially in mining areas. Certainly on the surface this is quite admirable and something well worth supporting but it will come at a cost, and this has been estimated at 6 billion. It does seem that keeping Australians employed and keeping their way of life secure will come at a high price. The Labor party has put forward a new mining tax system that creates, what has been reported, a fairer return to the Australian people from it valuable, but not limitless resources, it will be from this new tax reform initiative the infra structure and other community projects can be funded.

The Australia Liberal Party (or Coalition) has so far stated they will cut capital spending but as yet are not entirely clear on what projects will be cut from the budget. Under the leadership of Mr Tony Abbott the current position of capital growth will be stopped; whether this is a good thing or bad thing is where the debate begins, and would this reduction in spending put Australia in the same position it held in the mid 00s where infra structure and services were failing and the health system wasn't delivering suitable state health care. (Health care is another issue and as yet isn't on the table)

There is no doubting the recovery of Australia's economy because of timely government spending and it is true some of this spending will begin to be wound down, if not withdrawn as in some cases. It could be wise, at this time, to say either party will reduce capital costs in this serving period, so it stands to reason this area may not be as critical an issue that it is being reported as. If Labor and the Coalition both have capital savings plans then the debate on who is best is possibly pointless.

To date a clear environmental plan, something that is very contentious in Australia, is where some battle lines will be drawn. The Australian Labor Party will need to again establish and effective mechanism to present to the people about its Emissions Trading Scheme while, at this point in time, the Coalition still hold a position based on the non belief in climate change and global warming - the Australian people themselves are divided on the issue but a real debate on the future of our planet does need to come to the table.

In the past the Coalition has argued that any attempt to establish an ETS will cost jobs and ruin the economy. Actually from statements from this party it does appear anything that will impact of big business is to be avoided - perhaps a concerning point that could be explained later.

What will be the Liberal party's (Coalition) position be on climate change? Considering it blocked all efforts for Australia to act in a positive manner it would be difficult to see them change their position easily. They might, politics is a surprising things when you see it in action.

The big issue facing the voter isn't one that deal directly with the policies of those who are up for election but with the hard world reality that media networks and bosses pick who they want to win the election and advertise the fact through questionable polls and even more questionable reporting.

In this election these facts need to be known by voters, and some have been openly disclosed, so not so.

The ALP is strongly supported by Unions across the nation - this is not secret, but the unions no longer have political power like the use to have in the 1970s, so some commentary pundits saying Union bullies appear to be still living in the 70s.

It is well known the Coalition - The Nationals are supported by the farmers, naturally and expected.

The Liberal party is supported by Big Business - again well known. But the often played down point in this election needs to be this. The Liberal Party oppose the new mining tax - The Mining Industry funds the Liberal Party. Note also most of the media owners in Australia also contribute and fun the Liberal Party (Something John Howard helped happen in 2006)

There exists in this election, like there existed in the last election, a skewing of what can be accepted as good for the people and what serves political supporters interests. It can be argued Unions support workers, and on the whole this is true but they also block work at the same time. Big business also creates jobs, hundreds of thousands of jobs and they contribute to our way of life, but do we freely allow them to influence political decisions as they have? The mining industry doesn't want to pay any tax or royalties at all and would argue for this and were prepared to spend 100 million dollars to argue for this; so why would we, as Australians, support this industry and easily allow all out resources to be stripped and shipped overseas with little gain? It concerns many Australians at how much political power the mining industry has, far too much to allow for unbiased decision making.

At this point the Labor Party under Julia Gillard has a narrow lead, based mainly on her ability to reassure the public we are not going to fall into a black hole. At the moment Mr Abbott has come out and promised a black hole. Not a good start.

May the silliness continue