In this story I would like to present my interpretation of how I see things going with a Government that speaks with forked tongues.
In a discussion with another party the subject rose of what possible directions the social welfare sector might take over the next twenty-five years. Despite the fact that my bodily person will not be around I can assure you that my spiritual one will, most likely be taking vengeance on all those that pissed me off from the day I was born.
One of the problems I see with our society is our elected officials who make ridiculous claims about representing us in Parliament, and then toe the party line despite what their constituents have asked them to do.
Often they use the catch-cry of ‘in the public interest’, which is an antithetical statement. How can things being kept secret be in our best interest? Or as Sir Humphrey would put it ‘better not to know’.
What is it better not to know when it comes to the welfare sector? That there is a wall of protection against high-level paedophiles going all the way to the top levels of Government? That even our Church and Judiciary include the occasional little kiddy-fiddler? That welfare is going to be completely privatised? That adolescence is something we must not let take its own course? Those who do well rise to the top, those that survive become customer service officers at fast food outlets, those that fail end in jail?
Countless millions of taxpayers dollars are spent covering things up or avoiding them being available under the Freedom of Information Act. The amount of black ink expended whilst expunging must be absolutely critical to the survival of the felt pen industry.
Often wondered why folio numbering is done in pencil? One of the first rules of government is to make sure that your butt is covered, if its not then ensure that steps are taken to have some iron underpants fitted or, like memories, evidence is conveniently forgotten or accidentally shredded.
How much of our taxpayers money must be wasted propping up the company fortunes of friends and relatives so they can make profits? I believe they are called Tax Incentives, Foreign Investment Regulations, Industry Policy or Research and Development Grants.
The idea behind this is to entice or to keep business in Australia for the purpose of employment. This provides foreign owned companies with the great excuse of using unemployment as a good reason to gain benefits from the taxpayer’s wallet. I do not believe that they are so altruistic as to do it for Australia.
Large corporations have one aim and that is to make profits for their shareholders many of whom are members of the government and its servants. Remember Nick Greiner? One of the private expressway companies took Nick onto the Board after his stint as Premier and with him went the newly retired Head of the Main Roads Department. Is this jobs for the boys? Recently of course Nick used his political experience to stab Coles in the back and set up his own Internet Retailing Company more than likely using the expertise, contacts and knowledge he gained from Coles-Myer. And look at what eventually happened to Coles.
Bobby Hawke got a short stint with Kerry Packer until it was realised that he was a hopeless International Reporter, but not until after several lovely trips overseas. What arrangements are being made by Politicians and Heads of Departments at both State and Federal level for their retirement benefits at the cost of the public purse .
The 2001 Re-enactment of Federal Parliament in Melbourne cost us $4 million for 40 minutes of parliament in which nothing was discussed, 60 minutes of lunch and 120 minutes of Aussie Rules. I hope they enjoyed themselves. Federation, the celebration of a nation, seemed to revolve around activities to which only politicians, government officials and their staff, families and friends were eligible for an invitation.
They can afford to indulge themselves but cannot afford to truly represent their Constituents. They can tell President Shrub all about Australia and its political direction but cannot tell Mable Sopworthy of Mount Pleasant even the time of day.
They paint us as fools, ignoring at their peril the end result of such arrogance. The welfare sector is comprised of well meaning, honest, hard working citizens and if they don’t take them into their confidence we may as well follow all the other businesses and move offshore too.
We have one consolation. That in 30 years time some government files will be opened and we may all learn the truth. By then will they use the present popular excuse about it not happening on their watch?
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