Comments on: Queensland election wrap up http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/ Life, Culture and Politics from BrisVegas Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:56:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: John Tracey http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299361 John Tracey Wed, 13 Sep 2006 16:24:16 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299361 An open letter to supporters of Aboriginal Australia It is with great sadness that I write this message which in short is a call to boycott the Qld. Greens in the next federal election and support Andrew Bartlett. In the recent state election, at a crucial time for Aboriginal Queensland, the Greens did not issue any media statements or campaign on Aboriginal issues. As a direct result of there being no political support for Aboriginal Australia (beyond the socialist alliance who got 2%) Beattie has correctly read the situation that Aboriginal Australia has no mainstream support and is therefore a non-priority. Beattie has announced in his new cabinet the abolition of an indigenous portfolio and the mainstreaming of Aboriginal services. Beattie has managed to slip this major change in Aboriginal affairs through without even a whimper of opposition, unlike John Howard who has had to fight for exactly the same policies. The Greens had a good policy for the state election ( http://qld.greens.org.au/policies/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people ). As the author of this policy, I tend to agree with it. But a policy is just meaningless text if it is not used in a campaign. In the lead up to the federal election I urge voters to consider the Qld. Greens silence on Aboriginal affairs and compare it to Andrew Bartlett’s track record of consistently raising the issues including initiating the senate inquiry into stolen wages. hoping for justice one day, John Tracey www.kalkadoon.org An open letter to supporters of Aboriginal Australia

It is with great sadness that I write this message which in short is a call to boycott the Qld. Greens in the next federal election and support Andrew Bartlett.

In the recent state election, at a crucial time for Aboriginal Queensland, the Greens did not issue any media statements or campaign on Aboriginal issues. As a direct result of there being no political support for Aboriginal Australia (beyond the socialist alliance who got 2%) Beattie has correctly read the situation that Aboriginal Australia has no mainstream support and is therefore a non-priority.

Beattie has announced in his new cabinet the abolition of an indigenous portfolio and the mainstreaming of Aboriginal services. Beattie has managed to slip this major change in Aboriginal affairs through without even a whimper of opposition, unlike John Howard who has had to fight for exactly the same policies.

The Greens had a good policy for the state election ( http://qld.greens.org.au/policies/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people ). As the author of this policy, I tend to agree with it. But a policy is just meaningless text if it is not used in a campaign.

In the lead up to the federal election I urge voters to consider the Qld. Greens silence on Aboriginal affairs and compare it to Andrew Bartlett’s track record of consistently raising the issues including initiating the senate inquiry into stolen wages.

hoping for justice one day,
John Tracey
http://www.kalkadoon.org

]]> By: Brian http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299360 Brian Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:47:34 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299360 That, Sacha, is not recorded. That, Sacha, is not recorded.

]]> By: Sacha http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299359 Sacha Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:28:22 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299359 Brian, how did Keto suggest people produce food? Brian, how did Keto suggest people produce food?

]]> By: Brian http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299358 Brian Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:18:39 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299358 Thanks for that info on Aila Keto, Paul. What happened was that the U of Q for reasons best known to themselves bestowed on her an honorary doctorate which was presented at the degree ceremony for agriculture students at Gatton. In her acceptance speech she said that we had to think about giving up farming. She wasn't particularising the marginal areas. The son of a National Party MP was among the graduates. The MP had threatened to walk out if she said anything offensive and it is believed that he would have if his wife hadn't kept his foot nailed to the floor. I'm told that if he'd gone there would have been a mass walkout. A couple of years ago I was out where I'd grown up and I was told there that Keto metaphorically had an office next to the premier's and effectively signed off on everything that affected the land. To the bushies they are all coloured green and Beattie is seen as chasing Green votes. I chose her as the first that came to mind. At various times I've had the opportunity of voting for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Hutton" rel="nofollow">Drew Hutton</a> at various levels of government and have always declined because he was apt to make statements which he had not adequately researched. Thanks for that info on Aila Keto, Paul. What happened was that the U of Q for reasons best known to themselves bestowed on her an honorary doctorate which was presented at the degree ceremony for agriculture students at Gatton. In her acceptance speech she said that we had to think about giving up farming. She wasn’t particularising the marginal areas.

The son of a National Party MP was among the graduates. The MP had threatened to walk out if she said anything offensive and it is believed that he would have if his wife hadn’t kept his foot nailed to the floor. I’m told that if he’d gone there would have been a mass walkout.

A couple of years ago I was out where I’d grown up and I was told there that Keto metaphorically had an office next to the premier’s and effectively signed off on everything that affected the land.

To the bushies they are all coloured green and Beattie is seen as chasing Green votes. I chose her as the first that came to mind.

At various times I’ve had the opportunity of voting for Drew Hutton at various levels of government and have always declined because he was apt to make statements which he had not adequately researched.

]]> By: nasking http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299357 nasking Tue, 12 Sep 2006 05:25:05 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299357 >>Paul, maybe there’s a similar issue here in the sense that the Greens are closely associated with a social movement (in this case the environmental movement) just as Labor are closely associated with the labour movement... Always a problem for Labor as demonstrated by Latham's late 'forest protection policy' that upset Tasmanian forestry unions (way too close to Gunns) & gave Howard an opening. I wrote to Latham & others during that bad hurricane season in the US & said 'go now' w/ your enviro policy (but hey, i'm just a nobody/back seat driver emailing from home & he woulda got plenty of expert advice) whilst the issue is hot. This would've given time for compromises to be made, for the policy to sink in w/ a public awestruck by the constant barrage of hurricanes on TV etc. Sigh. Just a thought. >>Paul, maybe there’s a similar issue here in the sense that the Greens are closely associated with a social movement (in this case the environmental movement) just as Labor are closely associated with the labour movement…

Always a problem for Labor as demonstrated by Latham’s late ‘forest protection policy’ that upset Tasmanian forestry unions (way too close to Gunns) & gave Howard an opening. I wrote to Latham & others during that bad hurricane season in the US & said ‘go now’ w/ your enviro policy (but hey, i’m just a nobody/back seat driver emailing from home & he woulda got plenty of expert advice) whilst the issue is hot. This would’ve given time for compromises to be made, for the policy to sink in w/ a public awestruck by the constant barrage of hurricanes on TV etc. Sigh. Just a thought.

]]> By: nasking http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299356 nasking Tue, 12 Sep 2006 05:13:17 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299356 >>Do you think the Greens would perform better if they expected to win? And what do you think we should have done in response to God’s Army of Doorknockers? Well, considering how crucial that election turned out to be, the Government winning the Senate & all, I expected more urgency. Still, it might have just been the people I spoke to. I was worried about the Libs 'How to Vote Cards' placed in mailboxes that looked similar to the Greens & were quoting BS about their drug policy...& warned them about the 'horde of door knockers' espousing anti-Green, good ole Christian values. I think the Greens & Fed Labor need to do mail box drops, stand in malls & handout more info, put a few signs in home yards...in areas where Howard battlers are apt to live. My area is a classic case...a vast area that runs the gambit from extremely white aussie, upwardly mobile, tradespeople to culturally diverse neighbourhoods, primarily those from less than rich economic backgrounds but definitely rich in culture but also 'family first & religiously inclined, w/ many working class & first home buyers & single Moms dependant on the Government to help partially support the family (Peter Costello has certainly hooked into this group) & then extends to rural pockets & a large town that primarily look to the National Party for answers...but the tide is shifting due to access to Brisbane & different pursuits & their kids are receiving alternative views in schools. If the Greens & Labor can get the 'Global Warming' & IR reforms messages out to many of these people - combined w/ exposing the fibs that Howard tells on interest rates, the War on Terrorism, job security & tax reform, I reckon many can be won over. Also demonstrate how religions are being pitted against each other & show the consequences as seen in the War etc...could also help grab back a few of those who went Family First. >>Do you think the Greens would perform better if they expected to win? And what do you think we should have done in response to God’s Army of Doorknockers?

Well, considering how crucial that election turned out to be, the Government winning the Senate & all, I expected more urgency. Still, it might have just been the people I spoke to. I was worried about the Libs ‘How to Vote Cards’ placed in mailboxes that looked similar to the Greens & were quoting BS about their drug policy…& warned them about the ‘horde of door knockers’ espousing anti-Green, good ole Christian values.

I think the Greens & Fed Labor need to do mail box drops, stand in malls & handout more info, put a few signs in home yards…in areas where Howard battlers are apt to live. My area is a classic case…a vast area that runs the gambit from extremely white aussie, upwardly mobile, tradespeople to culturally diverse neighbourhoods, primarily those from less than rich economic backgrounds but definitely rich in culture but also ‘family first & religiously inclined, w/ many working class & first home buyers & single Moms dependant on the Government to help partially support the family (Peter Costello has certainly hooked into this group) & then extends to rural pockets & a large town that primarily look to the National Party for answers…but the tide is shifting due to access to Brisbane & different pursuits & their kids are receiving alternative views in schools. If the Greens & Labor can get the ‘Global Warming’ & IR reforms messages out to many of these people – combined w/ exposing the fibs that Howard tells on interest rates, the War on Terrorism, job security & tax reform, I reckon many can be won over. Also demonstrate how religions are being pitted against each other & show the consequences as seen in the War etc…could also help grab back a few of those who went Family First.

]]> By: nasking http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299355 nasking Tue, 12 Sep 2006 04:41:54 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299355 >>Bear in mind also that the main international exemplars of Green Politics are the German Greens, whose formation was in large measure in response to dissatisfaction with the policies of West German Social Democratic governments in the 1970s. It's amazing what the Green movement in Germany achieved. Communities now w/ energy independence. Speaking of German environmentalists...another reason I turned away from uranium mining were Hermann Scheer's comments: "Australia, more than any other nation, stands to reap huge profits from a global nuclear power boom, says a visiting German expert, Dr Hermann Scheer. He says Australia is under intense pressure to expand uranium mining, including within sensitive environments such as Kakadu National Park."...continues on: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/its-a-waste/2006/03/10/1141701698694.html Like Ian Lowe, this guy is no slouch: http://www.hermann-scheer.de/cv.php Ya know, I'm sure that the Fed Govt's interest & desire to help over the tragic, despicable acts of pedophilia & domestic abuse & petrol sniffing epidemic that are reportedly occurring in the Northern Territory, is primarily out of goodwill. But i've also wondered if this could be part of a ploy to divest Indigenous owners of land ownership/control in order to grab land for mining purposes & to shift them into areas such as Casinos. It's been done before overseas. Just a thought. Maybe I'm getting too cynical these days. >>Bear in mind also that the main international exemplars of Green Politics are the German Greens, whose formation was in large measure in response to dissatisfaction with the policies of West German Social Democratic governments in the 1970s.

It’s amazing what the Green movement in Germany achieved. Communities now w/ energy independence.

Speaking of German environmentalists…another reason I turned away from uranium mining were Hermann Scheer’s comments:

“Australia, more than any other nation, stands to reap huge profits from a global nuclear power boom, says a visiting German expert, Dr Hermann Scheer. He says Australia is under intense pressure to expand uranium mining, including within sensitive environments such as Kakadu National Park.”…continues on:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/its-a-waste/2006/03/10/1141701698694.html

Like Ian Lowe, this guy is no slouch:

http://www.hermann-scheer.de/cv.php

Ya know, I’m sure that the Fed Govt’s interest & desire to help over the tragic, despicable acts of pedophilia & domestic abuse & petrol sniffing epidemic that are reportedly occurring in the Northern Territory, is primarily out of goodwill. But i’ve also wondered if this could be part of a ploy to divest Indigenous owners of land ownership/control in order to grab land for mining purposes & to shift them into areas such as Casinos. It’s been done before overseas. Just a thought. Maybe I’m getting too cynical these days.

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299354 Mark Tue, 12 Sep 2006 03:35:37 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299354 Paul, maybe there's a similar issue here in the sense that the Greens are closely associated with a social movement (in this case the environmental movement) just as Labor are closely associated with the labour movement (remembering that only a minority of unions are affiliated and some union leaders are not party members) - so statements by prominent people in the social movement are taken as representative of the party's views. Paul, maybe there’s a similar issue here in the sense that the Greens are closely associated with a social movement (in this case the environmental movement) just as Labor are closely associated with the labour movement (remembering that only a minority of unions are affiliated and some union leaders are not party members) – so statements by prominent people in the social movement are taken as representative of the party’s views.

]]> By: Paul Norton http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299353 Paul Norton Tue, 12 Sep 2006 03:25:43 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299353 Aila Keto is not and has not been a member of the Greens. She has a reputation for being far and away the most Labor-aligned figure in the Queensland environment movement. Aila Keto is not and has not been a member of the Greens. She has a reputation for being far and away the most Labor-aligned figure in the Queensland environment movement.

]]> By: Brian http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299352 Brian Tue, 12 Sep 2006 03:10:39 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/09/10/queensland-election-wrap-up/#comment-299352 On the Greens I have a philosophical leaning towards them but I have little patience with the way they often talk outside their expertise, like Ailsa Keto, a rainforest expert, telling the graduates at Gatton that farming in generally should cease and we should return the land to 'nature'. My Green vote was a protest against both major parties and specifics like the Mary R dam. nasking, if you want another issue, Beattie has said that restrictions on GM crops are "just silly". Luckily we don't grow canola in Qld. On the Greens I have a philosophical leaning towards them but I have little patience with the way they often talk outside their expertise, like Ailsa Keto, a rainforest expert, telling the graduates at Gatton that farming in generally should cease and we should return the land to ‘nature’. My Green vote was a protest against both major parties and specifics like the Mary R dam.

nasking, if you want another issue, Beattie has said that restrictions on GM crops are “just silly”. Luckily we don’t grow canola in Qld.

]]>