We Can Make A Difference

For far to long in this country we have been focused on political change and have lost sight of what's really important. Where is the debate on the Environment,Climate Change,Economy,Health and Social Equity. There is an every widening gap between those that have and those that have not.There are to many people falling through the cracks.

1 In our pursuit of wealth we have forgotten about our World and the Environment.There is no point in having wealthy mining company's that evade paying their fair share of tax and the profits go offshore. The minerals belong to all Australians and we should get more than just jobs to a well paid few but we need to leave a world in better shape than we found it. Climate Change is real and we should be reducing our carbon emissions.

2 Without a solid economy we cannot hope to provide infrastructure, services and much needed welfare. That is why we all need to pay our fair share of tax and the whole tax system needs to be overhauled. The Henry Tax Review needs to be considered by an independent panel of experts and make recommendations because Political Parties try and pick what suits them and we don't get the best outcomes for all.

3 If anyone has had the need for Health Services they are aware of the problems. We have some excellent and dedicated people and Doctors that work in the system but are overwhelmed by the lack of facilities and sheer volume of requirements. Mental Health has been talked about and supposedly funded but there doesn't seem to be much action to implement change.

4 There seems to be a widening gulf between the haves and have nots but the real answer is Education and making sure that every child has equal opportunity to make something of themselves.We must provide the right services and welfare for the Aged and Young but should be less generous for those who don't want to work.These are my ideas of social equity.

We can make a difference by all being less selfish and considering others and being concerned about those less fortunate in our community. In Australia we are the lucky country and we should not abuse those freedoms, but we all have responsibilities to ensure that we think of the generations to come and leave them a country that is better for us having taking care of our environment.

Keith Sutherland

Presenter on Bendigo IPTV

Julia Gillard - A Trail Blazer

I feel compelled to write this blog in support of deposed Prime Minister Julia Gillard who I feel was let down by her party, the media and the Australian public. I say that not because she was the first female PM but she was never given a fair go and was undermined by Kevin Rudd supporters and was subjected to the most unjustifiable treatment and disgusting comments which no PM whether male or female should have to endure.

Yes she made some mistakes but who amongst us doesn't and if you don't then you are not having a go. I also believe the party let her down by not being capable of selling some amazing ground breaking policies. Her leadership was always under fire by members within her own party and the media who continued to cover that story instead of the many achievements.

She was without doubt the best parliamentary performer and was comparable with Peter Costello & Paul Keating at their best but she did that at every sitting which takes stamina wit and intellect .

Regardless of the hung parliament and having to deal with the Greens & Independents she holds the record for the number of bills passed in a minority Govt. There is no other member capable of achieving that performance which speaks volumes about her negotiating skills.

I also acknowledge that the party had to do something drastic to minimise the potential loss of seats at the forthcoming election if the polls are to be believed. It must have been an agonising situation for people like Penny Wong and to a lesser degree Bill shorten who is mostly interested in Bill Shorten being the so-called deal maker.

Probably Australia's most popular politician is Kevin Rudd because they feel he was hard done by at being deposed by the faceless men and Julia Gillard. I am not sure that Julia Gillard was ever part of the hatchet job but only those close to the event will know what really happened.Because of the way it was done the Australian public never quite legitimised her leadership which is quite sad, but I am not so sure that Kevin Rudd should be rewarded with leadership when he & his supporters undermined her leadership for 3 years.

I think Julia Gillard's biggest mistake was suggesting "There will never be a Carbon Tax under a Govt I lead" which I believed she genuinely believed to be true, but on entering into a loose coalition with the Greens that was part of the inducement to introduce one. Her support from Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakshott was on the basis that both men believed she was more genuine than Tony Abbott. Her Govt achieved much with the introduction of Carbon Trading Scheme, NDIS, Murray Darling basin scheme,NBN roll out,Pension increase and much more.

It is my belief Julia Gillard's time as PM will be judged as revolutionary with ground breaking reforms and many achievements under enormous obstacles she has achieved so much.

No party can claim any high moral ground with the disgusting mess of Refugee policy.

It was such a pity that Julia Gillard was never able to have clear air to prove her capabilities and full potential even in spite of that she achieved so much in her 3 years of high office.

Her final speech as PM was one of grace & dignity and showed the character of this important figure in our political history and she has made life easier for those females who will sorely follow.