Polly Watch
Congratulations to the Tasmanian Times writer of this article, 100 days and The Emperor, for giving a full history of the dismantling of democracy in this state that has been brought about by the Tasmanian Labor Party, which would be more aptly named the Tasmanian Establishment Corporation (TEC).
“Two years ago the powers that run Tasmania crucified Flanagan for what he wrote. But now it appears that history on an almost daily basis is proving him to have been right, as Tasmanians begin to add up the staggering, ever growing cost — now estimated to be in excess of a billion dollars — of all the strange deals with mates, from Richard Butler to Basslink to the Bass Strait ferries, to which his article first drew national attention.”
Congratulations to the Tasmanian Times’ writer of this article, for giving a full history of the dismantling of democracy in this state that has been brought about by the Tasmanian Labor Party, which would be more aptly named the Tasmanian Establishment Corporation (TEC).
I don’t think we should blame Bacon in isolation — every Labor politician who has remained silent is equally to blame — and by association, union leaders in Tasmania should also hang their heads in shame. And where are the Labor women? Shame on you for allowing bullies to push you into minor roles and shut you up.
Every matter that Bryan Green has managed in politics over the years should now be fully reviewed by an independent body — e.g. policy re aerial spraying of chemicals, 1080 use, all forestry practice, granting of private rights to public assets, fees paid for forestry and other assets, and the level of funding for research into the cause of and a cure for the devils’ facial disease.
The amount of courage shown by Harry Quick in speaking out about the secret manoeuvres taken by “TEC” men to overthrow ALP principles is admirable, and I hope his health improves and that he stands as an independent at the next election.
We can only hope that dirty deeds of Lab and Lib politicians will be publicised in a steady stream between now and the next election e.g. the NSW Liberal branch stacking story involving the religious right that surfaced on 4 Corners this week and a story in The Australian at the weekend by a former young Liberal about a similar topic.
Greens should be perfect
I am concerned about the expectations of some contributors to this site, that the Greens should be able to counter shonkiness of the magnitude being reported and some contributors seemingly have an expectation that the Greens should be perfect.
Why should the Greens be perfect? They are human beings and are bound to make their fair share of blunders — but why should their small blunders be judged in the same light as the seemingly deliberate and systematic major blunders of the Lib/Labs — when some acts may even turn out to be illegal?
This type of finger-pointing is akin to blaming the victim and is often used as a ploy to take public attention away from real issues. An example of this is the letters to many newspapers over recent weeks blaming Costello for calling in a promise from Howard. Letter writers have jumped on Costello, boots and all, but never mention the lies told by Howard.
I’ve overheard conversations recently when the speakers claimed that Costello should never be leader because of his looks — “he smirks”. How can a person be judged for their looks alone in these supposedly enlightened times? Such assessment belongs in a beauty pageant. The speakers did not refer to his ability as treasurer — which I think has been quite good in comparison to other treasurers. And I agree with Costello that health, education, and major infrastructure should be planned and funded at a federal level.
I think Costello is probably a decent person with excellent ability and doesn’t deserve the bad press he receives. Whether he is in the right party at the right time? That’s another matter entirely. It is such a pity that we can’t effectively vote for individuals rather than parties.
As for the finger-pointing towards the Greens in Tasmania, designed to take the heat from “TEC”, I know that a good percentage of thinking Tasmanians won’t fall for it — and I believe that the percentage of Green votes will increase at the next election.
Polly Watch is a Tasmanian professional who has to remain anonymous in view of his/her sensitive position, mindfull of a senior Labor polly’s injunction: Toe the line or you don’t work in Tasmania.
