Dear Eric,
I am writing to ask you to clarify some points in the pamphlet that was delivered in my mailbox yesterday morning titled “Economic Action Strategy”. References are included below.
First and foremost I’d like to ask about this whole notion of “Labor’s Budget Mess”. As has been explained by economists (rather than media advisors), Labor did a fine job getting us through the global financial crisis, and our debt ratios are enviable the world over. Can you please explain to me why there is a mismatch between this description of our performance from professionals in the field and the information being put forward by your party? [1, 2]
Just kidding! I know why … Can you explain to me why you support this manufacturing crisis which is being used to hurt the most vulnerable in our communities? That is the more pertinent question.
Can you explain to me why our debt has increased so dramatically since your party was elected? 68 billion dollars of new spending! [3] And why so much of the expense has been for frivolous items, like new libraries for senators, refurbished accommodation, and fighter jets that don’t work, when we’re supposed to be in the midst of a crisis that is “forcing” your party to harm the most needy in our society?
Can you please explain why I’m reading in the pamphlet that you’re preserving important safety nets for families and pensioners when everything in the budget targets them most severely, all whilst letting the corporations and the wealthiest members of our society off the hook?
How can you indicate that you’re keeping the economy moving and creating jobs when consumer confidence has taken a massive dive since the budget was introduced? [4] When you’re cutting the services the commonwealth provides, and with it the many jobs that provide those services? [5]
I could ask about the humanitarian nightmare you’ve created up north [7, 8], the broken international relationships [9], the insidious influence the Institute of Public Affairs has on the policy of your party, to the detriment of the people you are supposed to be representing [10]. I could ask about the raft of lies and broken promises that your leader passes off as irrelevant [11]. On that last, how about some moral fortitude?
A lie is a lie. A tax is a tax.
In such a grubby party you now have a wonderful opportunity to stand up and be counted as an honest, caring politician who represents the families of your electorate. You can break ranks with your party, you can stand up for what is right, rather than toeing the party line. Call the rubbish propaganda what it is and stand out from the crowd. Did I say it before? You can stand up for what is right!
I know you will be tempted to reply that the Liberal Party is currently doing “what is right”. If that were truly the case why is it that everything that has been done has been couched in so many lies?
Regards,
Geoff Capper
Dunorlan
Tasmania
1. http://theconversation.com/australia-does-not-have-a-debt-crisis-so-just-say-no-joe-26148
2. http://theconversation.com/australias-economy-is-healthy-so-how-can-there-be-a-budget-crisis-26036
3. http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-03-27.70.2
4. http://theconversation.com/consumer-sentiment-dives-as-government-sells-budget-cuts-27015
5. http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/prime-minister-tony-abbott-breaks-act-public-service-promise-20140519-zrh5v.html
6. http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/554352/20140601/csiro-tony-abbott-australia.htm
7. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/towbacks-may-breach-international-law-un-refugee-agency-cautions-abbott
8. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-manus-island-killing-report-not-up-to-standard-and-lets-abbott-government-off-the-hook/story-fnihsr9v-1226934972532
9. http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/indonesia-crisis-entirely-of-tony-abbotts-making,5922
10. http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/09/06/institute-of-liberal-party-policy-what-the-ipa-will-get-from-abbott/
11. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/15/can-you-believe-tony-abbott-joe-hockey
