Nostradamus
Speaking of the Greens, I have some sympathy for their end of year gripes. Holding a counterterrorist exercise predicated on the seizure of Devonport Airport was far-fetched and the blatantly unfair laws introduced to stop forest demonstrators need very careful examination. I have no objection to selective logging for timber to be used for craftwork and furniture and in the building industry but clear felling and woodchipping of old growth forests is anathema. I wondered rather idly whether the same laws against demonstrations or demonstrators could be used in the event that the public service union decided to picket government offices and prevent employees going about their lawful business. Might be worth thinking about next year…along with railways, increasing Parliamentary numbers and slicing through the plutocrats; forgetting about a hospital on the docks, etc, etc
THERE ARE several very good reasons why I have been missing from the pages of Tasmanian Times of late. It is sufficient to say that it was time well spent because I was learning something new and different. In the longer run, perhaps some will filter through to TT.
Between now and 31st of December, we will be regaled with the events of 2008 in all their glory or gory details in all forms of the media, and inevitably they will dwell on the tragedies and despair and occasionally, moments when everyday events appeared to hold promise. For my part, I’m pleased 2008 is practically behind us but we step into the new year facing an uncertain future as a state, especially when you consider international economic circumstances. I am constantly reminded that no matter how well Tasmania is being managed, global economic conditions expected to impact locally: I sense no consensus but like in every discipline, there are those predicting a tsunami or a melt-down at the very worst while a few optimistic types clinging to the liferaft of a less devastating effect. Inevitably unemployment will rise but as usual, employers will complain that they cannot find well-trained staff. And in some respects, it’s extremely easy to blame employers along with the education system because vocational training has never been particularly strong despite propaganda emanating from Canberra and Hobart.
It is a complete waste of my time and energy to go through the events of 2008 they are far better left to experts. In last Saturday’s Mercury, Sue Neales produced a pretty fair examination of the trials and tribulations that have beset the Premier since he assumed office with the departure of the Lemon ( Rollercoaster ride to continue ). This is now well trodden ground and there is still the prospect of surprises, once Giddy hands back the reins to David Bartlett in just over a month. In the meantime, our petite Deputy Premier has the job to herself and did my book she’s welcome to it. As the composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote a particular work, its title is apt for her and this time of year: “A calm sea and prosperous voyage.” Surely no one would wish ill on anyone at this time of year or would they? Personally I would hope not but we must face the facts that there is immense pressure on charitable organizations to assist the less fortunate and although some reports have been received of a greater amount of giving, there is not a snowball’s chance in hell that the Christmas season will pass with peace and joy, needs adequately met or a pause in the annual slaughter on the roads. One thing is certain: there will be a great number of bad tempered policeman on the road over the holiday period and I sympathize with them, along with emergency service workers at hospitals and ambulance drivers. The worst fate of all falls on those who have to knock on a door and tell the inhabitants of the member of their family has either been killed or so severely injured on the road that they are not expected to live. It is, by any measure of judgment, the most thankless task of all. So a quiet plea to those who bother to read these jottings – please drive carefully, stay alert and return in 2009.
Looking at the relative state of the political parties at year’s end is rather like looking at tea leaves but in the bottom of a bucket not a cup. Personally I think there is much to commend the ancient Roman tradition of examining the auguries as for example the ancient soothsayer in Julius Caesar by the blessed Bard or his ghostwriter. In those times they used chickens but in the 21st century, we should be seriously considering the entrails of turkeys, especially as they are usually the poultry of choice at this time of year. I usually eat the giblets after reading them, a win-win situation for those who still cling to managerial-speak.
There is little doubt that Pollie fatigue sets in in early December every year. Fortunately, it coincides with the silly season on TV and barring a major scandal involving the three critical elements, sex, money and colorful racing identities, the newspapers will remain particularly skinny. There is a trade-off here because my letterbox has been suffering from extreme fatigue prompted by advertising catalogs which proliferate and along with Nick McKim and Cassy, I wonder how many extra trees of being chopped down to fuel the campaign for excessive Christmas spending to offset the economic consequences of the downturn – keep on buying they say, we can’t let major retail chains go to the wall. Really, the best thing for the US economy would be to let the auto industry go to the wall. I’ve been waiting since the first major oil shock of 1973 for all those lavish promises of lean-burn technology and alternative fuels to come through the system but the Yanks continue to produce gas guzzlers and the rest of the world seems to fall in line, irrespective of the price they pay for gasoline. Talking quite recently with someone whose interest in transport is probably greater than mine, he was particularly caustic about the price of diesel. Rightly so, when you consider the best diesel is less refined than the lowest octane rating gasoline. Had Australia followed the European model, diesel-powered cars would be cheaper, more available and the price of fuel lower but we couldn’t possibly do that could we? After all as auto manufacturers have been telling us for many years Australia is a big country and a big country needs a big car.
Right, notwithstanding the fact that over 95% live in a suburban environment and small to medium vehicles are perfectly adequate. That would leave the hoons as the main buyers of V-8 utes and the like. Meanwhile, the ubiquitous white vans driven by “tradesmen going somewhere” who are seemingly subject to a different set of road rules to the rest of us would have to look carefully at their needs and no doubt the extra powered radios and speakers that blast rock music to slam the eardrums would be standard, rather than an optional extra or purchase from a hardware store. Then, of course, we should be actively pursuing the use of compressed LNG, LPG and so on but I vehemently oppose paying world parity prices for resources that we have in abundance. On the other hand, even if consumers, auto manufacturers were to be convinced, along with the government, the latter would still be in for a hefty chop. T-A-X – Thy name is greed and it ain’t good.
Speaking of the Greens, I have some sympathy for their end of year gripes. Holding a counterterrorist exercise predicated on the seizure of Devonport Airport was far-fetched and the blatantly unfair laws introduced to stop forest demonstrators need very careful examination. I have no objection to selective logging for timber to be used for craftwork and furniture and in the building industry but clear felling and woodchipping of old growth forests is anathema. I wondered rather idly whether the same laws against demonstrations or demonstrators could be used in the event that the public service union decided to picket government offices and prevent employees going about their lawful business. Might be worth thinking about next year…along with railways, increasing Parliamentary numbers and slicing through the plutocrats; forgetting about a hospital on the docks, etc, etc
But the Greens blotted their copybook with hysterical overreaction to some of these activities. From looking like a party leader with the ambition to lead this state, McKim slipped back easily into the role of carping critic and spokesman for minorities. Not a particularly edifying end to what had been a reasonably good year. And Cassy O’Connor took to Parliament, like the proverbial duck to water. No problems for her with reelection in 2010.
By contrast, the Liberals fell in something of a heap in December. Open speculation about the reendorsement of Her Majesty’s Shadow Attorney-General Michael Hodgman QC was a very bad circus moment. These days, there is a pull not to be ageist thereby discriminating against those seeking employment but employers still regard anyone over 35 as ancient or crusties. I recently expressed the hope that the young fellow and neophyte/count-back member for Franklin, Barney Rubble, err sorry, Ross Butler would be re-endorsed by the party. I notice that the ABC and The Mercury still persist in referring to him as an ex-cabbie. So bloody what; from my experience, English-speaking cabbies learn a great deal from their passengers and have their fingers on the pulse more than those who ride across the DMZ in chauffeur driven limousines. But why not mention that just as Michael Hodgman is a QC, Ross Butler has a Masters degree in education and has been a high school principal in previous incarnations? Such snobbery! To get back to Michael, in my opinion he should be reimbursed. I don’t particularly agree with much about his politics but he has served this state well, is popular in the electorate, quietly works behind the scenes for the less fortunate and is fine fettle. What more should we ask? The electorate should be the arbiter and the fact that he is no friend of Eric Abetz is a point in his favor.
That leaves us with the government for my final spray of the year. I’m led to believe that David Bartlett gave a virtuoso performance at the ALP Christmas bash for true believers. All well and good speaking to the converted but I was also told that there were a few sharp knives concealed on certain persons. There has been some carping about the in-depth interview he gave to Sue Neales in the Mercury who has followed up on 23 December with a piece on the mini Deputy Premier. I was disgusted to see a bicycling half wit from Sandy Bay had the temerity to suggest that Ms. Neales was a paid up member of Team Bartlett. That is accusing a journalist of professional malfeasance among other things but somehow, I for one, feel that these pen-pictures of our politicians help to flesh them out and make them more human. Of course, that would probably preclude the hapless Sturgo from being given similar treatment. I think there’s a saying about making silk purses out of something or other and it won’t work in his case. He is the weak link and this was never more clearly demonstrated than by the lack of Commonwealth infrastructure spending on Tasmanian railways. This has been widely deplored and Sturgo has to realize that he cannot perform the Pontius Pilate routine anymore than can the government. They are collectively responsible for not pressing on the issue. Then there is the energetic Ms. Lisa Singh, a replacement for Allison Ritchie. If getting her picture in the Mercury is anything to go by, she is technically in front but already the vultures are circling.
I conclude by being politically incorrect and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I will miss you. With my last breath for this issue, I send my best wishes for a swift recovery to three politicians who have fallen by the wayside. I can’t see that there is anyway that Paula Wriedt can return to Parliament but I hope she recovers fully and can make a life for herself outside politics. To Allison Ritchie and Sue Napier, I was very sorry to hear of your respective illnesses and wish you a full recovery.
Finally He wouldn’t and I mustn’t…..
