Tony Abbott spruiked fossil fuels in Texas.
Like most people, I receive hundreds of petitions. I agree with some of them...in varying degrees... but some make me stop and rethink the issue at hand.
One of those petitions called for a ban on wage increases to politicians.
Politicians, along with lawyers, priests and teachers seem to have fallen out of favour over the past few decades. Perhaps it's always been that way. I often feel frustrated and perplexed by those on both sides of politics and view most of them with a fair amount of cynicism but I just can't buy the 'anti-politician' sentiment that lumps all politicians together.
Politicians are definitely not all the same. Green politicians never vote for their own pay increases, yet they work extremely hard. Admittedly their wages are substantial but Green politicians are required to tithe 10% of that income, with little or no assistance in return. They take their roles very seriously and keep to a punishing schedule.
It may be an honour to serve your country in parliament but it's also a great sacrifice. There are long and lonely times away from family and friends and much of that time is spent in transit, travelling the continent.
Greens Senator for Victoria, Richard Di Natale and Greens candidate for Victoria's Western Region in 20014 State election, Lloyd Davies.
Greens Senator Richard Di Natale said in his maiden speech, that he hoped his children would one day understand why their father was rarely at school concerts, speech nights or school sports. Such denial of normal family time is hard on children and families. A large proportion of politicians suffer from depression and anxiety.
The constancy of public demand with an ever present fear of humiliation and trial by media, wear many a good person down. Politics is a hard game and it's equally hard on a politician's children, families and friends. Such sacrifices and negative impacts are rarely appreciated or acknowledged by the public and are never acknowledged by the media. Maybe, when politicians say they're withdrawing from public life to spend more time with their families, most of the time they really mean it.
Many go on to serve the community on other less public platforms.
Of course, a number of politicians are on the gravy train and do very little to earn their keep. However, that's true of any profession and yet we are not inclined to judge the entire profession for the failings some of its members.
Voters do take a risk when they support a candidate whether they belong to a party or run as an independent. Inevitably, some will disappoint. I know I have a strong Green bias because I have never, ever felt let down or been disillusioned by a Greens candidate. But there probably will come a time!
Most people who enter politics do it to create change for the better and to help serve their country. The rigors of running for an election, may include a loss of income over a number of years and a substantial loss of family time. A politician's wages are like danger money. They're a form of remuneration or compensation and I believe they earn every cent.
The Australian people want and deserve candidates of quality, with intelligence, a strong sense of justice and honesty. We need well rounded, well informed, balanced individuals to help run our country at the highest level.
Ideally, parliament should represent all Australians, from every walk of life, including high powered careers, blue collar workers, academics, farmers, teachers, all adult age groups, all ethnic backgrounds, all genders, all sexual orientations, all religions and those who are not religious.
And in that mix, we want some people who may already be successful and who are prepared, for a time, to sacrifice lucrative business careers. These people are valued because they may have some understanding of the complexities of running a huge economy. But we also want them to be compassionate and caring toward those who are at the bottom of that list.
Our parliament creates the legislation that controls our lives. Being in Government is the highest office in the land and the most responsible. That's why we ask so much of our politicians and quite rightly scrutinize their actions.
Whether you agree with them or not, in my opinion most politicians earn their keep. In Australia, we want to attract the very best people to run our country but we can't have it both ways. We can't pay them meager or even ordinary wages and expect them all to be highly skilled and to represent us with absolute dedication and extraordinary performances. We can't really expect our politicians to be extraordinary, if we don't look after them.
Having said that, there should be limits to how much politicians are paid because either too much or too little money seems to invite corruption.
Ideally, parliament should represent all Australians, from every walk of life, including high powered careers, blue collar workers, academics, farmers, teachers, all adult age groups, all ethnic backgrounds, all genders, all sexual orientations, all religions and those who are not religious.
And in that mix, we want some people who may already be successful and who are prepared, for a time, to sacrifice lucrative business careers. These people are valued because they may have some understanding of the complexities of running a huge economy. But we also want them to be compassionate and caring toward those who are at the bottom of that list.
Our parliament creates the legislation that controls our lives. Being in Government is the highest office in the land and the most responsible. That's why we ask so much of our politicians and quite rightly scrutinize their actions.
Whether you agree with them or not, in my opinion most politicians earn their keep. In Australia, we want to attract the very best people to run our country but we can't have it both ways. We can't pay them meager or even ordinary wages and expect them all to be highly skilled and to represent us with absolute dedication and extraordinary performances. We can't really expect our politicians to be extraordinary, if we don't look after them.
Having said that, there should be limits to how much politicians are paid because either too much or too little money seems to invite corruption.
And...in the very near future, Australians must grow up and realize that some things are essential to our survival. We must put a limit on the power of governments and politicians to withdraw life saving legislation such as universal health care, equality in education, environmental protection and human and animal rights. These things must be set in stone.
At the present time, such basic core value issues are being abused by both sides of politics in order to win votes and curry favour from the 'big end of town'. With each new election, all hard won gains in these important areas are easily lost, as demonstrated by the Coalition Government's retraction of the the price on carbon.
If the Australian people decide to vote for a Government that does not protect our core values, then there should be measures set in place. The Constitution and the judicial system are meant to do exactly that but they seem to be failing us on a number of counts; on refugees, health care, education and probably the most dangerous and pressing issue facing us all, climate change.
The Coalition Government has, with righteous gusto, introduced inequitable and unjust legislation to cut essential services, infringe on human rights and destroy our life support systems. At the same time they will afford huge subsidies to the wealthy and damaging mining and fossil fuel industry.
People need to know that the Greens are ethical politicians who, on a shoe string budget and with much personal sacrifice, fight for good and just legislation and that they NEVER vote for an increase in pay.
When I watch Coalition Government politicians on TV, I find myself wondering if the Australian people really understand what Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey, Christopher Pyne and Greg Hunt are doing to them and their country.
At the present time, such basic core value issues are being abused by both sides of politics in order to win votes and curry favour from the 'big end of town'. With each new election, all hard won gains in these important areas are easily lost, as demonstrated by the Coalition Government's retraction of the the price on carbon.
If the Australian people decide to vote for a Government that does not protect our core values, then there should be measures set in place. The Constitution and the judicial system are meant to do exactly that but they seem to be failing us on a number of counts; on refugees, health care, education and probably the most dangerous and pressing issue facing us all, climate change.
The Coalition Government has, with righteous gusto, introduced inequitable and unjust legislation to cut essential services, infringe on human rights and destroy our life support systems. At the same time they will afford huge subsidies to the wealthy and damaging mining and fossil fuel industry.
People need to know that the Greens are ethical politicians who, on a shoe string budget and with much personal sacrifice, fight for good and just legislation and that they NEVER vote for an increase in pay.
When I watch Coalition Government politicians on TV, I find myself wondering if the Australian people really understand what Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey, Christopher Pyne and Greg Hunt are doing to them and their country.
If you want a better class of politician, vote Green. If you want to protect health care, education, human rights and the environment, vote Green. C'mon people, you know you want to!
If not Us, then Who?
If not Now, then When?
If not Here, then Where?
We acknowledge the traditional Aboriginal custodians of the land, the Gunditjmara Kirrae Whurrong people, whilst paying our respects to their Elders past and present.
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