15th August 2007- Senate Question Time

Once again Liberals have drawn attention to the “strong economic position” of Australia as a whole in response to every issue raised. The US sub-prime mortgage let down is apparently insignificant because Australia’s sub-prime lending is small in comparison- only 1%. The government seems to be continually taking a majority approach! Yes I understand that that is the basis of democracy but a little responsibility is needed. With 2 financial institutions highly exposed as a result Liberal decided to attack Labour and its industrial relations policies rather than actually address the issue. Taking the stance that Australians should “not listen to what it says but look at what a government does”, I feel Liberal just contradicted itself- I’m pretty sure GST was initially promised to never exist and what about interest rates at record lows- that dream is flying out the window as we speak.

The Howard government draws endless attention to the $6.5 million used to assist a mining company in Tasmania, “run into the ground by Labour policies”. However, the current track record of Liberal really makes me question whether this is a publicity stunt or whether they are in fact creating a benefit. Recent ventures like the funding of Mercy West Hospital without prior costing leads me to question whether such ventures are actually being used to strengthen “our ever so important economy”, as a publicity stunts in Howard’s “desperate attempt to stay in power” or in the actual interests of Australians. Maybe I’m just developing an exceptionally bleak outlook on the world and its leaders!