The wonderment and bafflement continues in the Australian election of 2010. It isn’t the question of the election being closely fought but more the more serious question of why it will be a close call come polling day? Even a cursory glance at the current positions of the two major parties would see Ms Julian Gillard, the leader and current PM representing the Australian Labor Party in a far better position than what is being reported or dare I say suggested by media outlets across the country.
I have followed politics for many years and this is the only election that has me, and I dare say millions of other Australians, baffled why it will be close.
Let’s look at the positions from the Australian Liberal Party/Coalition position. The leader Mr Tony Abbott has stated openly he does not believe in climate change and because of this sees no real need for a proper climate change policy. He also has stated that he will stop the roll out of a national broadband network. The Liberal party refused to ratify the Kioto protocol, refused to apologise to the Australian Aboriginal people for their past treatment and has even stated publicly over and over again that is did not believe in the stimulus policy of the Labor party during the Global Financial Crisis.
Nobel Prize recipient Professor Stiglitz, a former World Bank chief economist and economic adviser to the US government, said federal Labor did a fantastic job of saving Australia from the global economic crisis. A situation the Liberal/Coalition argues against. The position taken at the time by the Liberal/Coalition was a do nothing and wait while the Labor party set in motion stimulus programs to save Australian jobs and keep the country’s economic position viable.
Ms Abbotts part has said of the programs that they have been utter failures, yet Mr Stiglitz harks to their resounding success. A report on the Education Building Program was released and it showed that 97% of the programs work did the desired job and better, but some improvements and adjustments need to be implemented to address complaints aimed at a small percentage of failings. Given the enormity of the program and the fact it was being run by a government the outcome comes as a surprising boost to the country in general. Ms Gillard acknowledged the lessons that needed to be learned from the few failures to deliver and admitted she would do the same again if the country once more faced economic distress.
Faced with the positive reports on two fronts, both independent and separate of government the Liberal/Coalition continues to flood the Australian people with cries of mismanagement and failures while the evidence shows the reverse of such claims. Mr Abbott continues to support a cutting of all these development programs if elected and yet in a bemused fashion I sit an wonder why the media coverage supports such a position when it is clear such action is not in the best interests of the country, let alone any political entity.
When questioned on the report into the Educations Building Program, sitting Liberal member for Sturt, Mr Christopher Pyne commented the program has been a total failure and that Ms Gillard should be ashamed of such wasteful spending. When presented with the hard evidence released to the media, Mr Pyne didn’t change his mind, despite hard evidence to the contrary of his opinion and position he maintained the program was a failure.
This is where the idea of a close election seems incongruous to what is in reality a poor presentation of s suitable opposition party. Why is the pure negativity of Mr Tony Abbott and the likes of Mr C Pyne more important to report than the actual successes of the economically sound programs already in place?
I haven’t even addressed the position of the Australian Labor Party yet and already questions must be asked on why are the Australian people being sold the close election story when if reported correctly and honestly the choice of government would require little thought at all.
At present there have been some difficulties in some of the programs, and the ALP admit this openly and directly, but all of the programs created jobs, despite these difficulties. The Labor party want to move to a positive environmental position and the only reason it is hesitant to take such a position to an election is because the Liberal/Coalition blocked over and over any attempts to address environmental issues. This does not mean there wont be a solid policy coming, it is just it will have to come after the Labor party have the people’s vote to do so comfortably.
When faced with critical decision in regards to Australia the choices do seem to be blatantly clear, yet for some unknown reason it is being reported and supported that Australia want to dive into a well of despair.
What has happened in the last few weeks, have all Australians suddenly had lobotomies and are they really stupid enough to listen to what can be argued a poor alternative to real future prosperity for the country. News polls show the Liberal/Coalition in the lead, who is being polled here – vegetibles?
Despite what is being reported and promoted through networks the Australian Labor Party is the one deserving of a vote, if not then the Greens who have in recent years shown some stamina and fairness; but if you are one of those who believe Australia should take some kind of regressive step then it would be fair to believe that while Australians were sleeping someone stole their fortitude and intelligence – there can be no question about it.
Who are you going to believe; world experts, independent reports, and the strength of today’s economy or the view of people who are still denying the everything thing from Climate Change to the GFC?
Where do you stand – or have Australians fallen into the US model of politics and allowing the popular media to decide who should lead our country?
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