oneplanetmikey

Leaked Liberal Party research has indicated that Australian voters perecive the prime manure John Howard as “old and dishonest.”  This is because he is. 

In addition, he now appears desperate, with the research proposing a stretegy to wedge the states.  The idea behind this is to make the Commonwealth would appear decisive by bailing out ineffective and inefficient states.

Takes Tuesday’s foray into Queensland politics, with John Howard pledging for free, the services of the Australian Electoral Commission to help local councils fight Premier Pete’s council amalgamation policy.  The policy is not very popular in Queensland, just as it was when Jeff Kennett rammed it through the Victorian parliament in 1994.  It was good public policy then, so I wonder why it is not good public policy now? 

Oh yes, that is right.  Mister Howard is being mean and tricky and old and dishonest. 

Let’s take a look at a few other recent events.  The dishonesty surrounding Dr Haneef and the Commonwealth Government’s role in that tawdry affair does Howard and his Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews no credit.  None.

The intervention in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory seemed like a reasonable proposition at the time.  Sure, there were questions like whether or not this would produce another stolen generation, but on face value it seemed like the governement was finally willing to assist aboriginal communities.  But no, read the fine print.  The bill has suddenly risen to half a billin dollars, and the fundamental right to appeal Commonwealth decisions through the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, or the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has ben revoked. 

But then appeals to higher authorities seem pointless now, as evidenced by Kevin Andrew’s statement that Dr Haneef would be deported even if he was found not guilty.  After all, the minister can overturn any immigration decision made by the Department, the Migration Review Tibunal, the Federal Magistrates Court, the Federal Court.  I see the day when the innocents are dragged off the streets and into the Star Chamber to appear before the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada, err Kevin Andrews.  And with a bit of luck, I may be deported to a nice Dutch seaside resort to spend my days and dotage with Lego man.  After all, it beats what happened to Vivian Alvarez Solon.