Dear Kevin & Maxine

As a voter in the electorate of Benelong I have intentionally voted informal for a number of years as there was no-one to actually vote FOR.  That changed in the 2007 Federal Election.  At the time there was a feeling of promise that a real change could occur.

After the opening of Parliament and the famous Apology to the Stolen Generations I wrote a piece as an astrological appraisal of the event.  It finished with “the indications are that the time is right to bring about a great healing in this nation.  Today has served as one of the times when Australia has been able to show the world how to “get it right”.  There is a long way to go and provided we don’t get caught up in politicking and self-serving we can look forward to growth, integration and harmony in this great land.”

A year later it appears the dream was exactly that – a beautiful dream from which we have now awoken.

While the Apology resounded around the world we still have the Intervention in place in the Northern Territory.  This is based on the same patronising mindset that created the Stolen Generations.

The signing of the Kyoto Protocol was applauded around the world.  The reality however, is an unbelievably poor response to carbon limitation, public money being poured into a collapsing car industry while the only manufacturer of photovoltaic cells in Australia closes down its operation.  Also, cars which could make a difference – particularly in our congested and polluted cities – like the air car available in India for less than $10,000 and fully electric cars can’t be used in Australia.

We hear great promises – going to solve the homeless issue – but these are no more real than Bob Hawke’s “non child in poverty”.

It would appear Mr Rudd et al that the old adage still applies: “It doesn’t matter who you vote for – you always get a politician”.

This is after one year in power.  There are a couple to go yet before the next election.  Are you going to really make a difference or is this going to continue to be more of the “me tooism” and a continuation of the Howard era that it currently appears to be?

Regards
Laurence V Harrould