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John Hewson talking more good sense. (Read 1617 times)
Captain Nemo
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John Hewson talking more good sense.
Jan 16th, 2020 at 10:21am
 
From one of potentially the best Prime Ministers we never had* ...

Our greatest security threat is climate change, so mobilise the ADF


John Hewson
Columnist and former Liberal opposition leader

Life is about and defined by choices – how we make them, what we decide, and how we live with the consequences. Governments have a particular responsibility as we rely on them to make choices on our behalf, especially the bigger national choices that we feel somewhat powerless to make or influence, while they use our money to fund them.

It is reasonable for us to expect these choices will be in the national interest, rather than to favour a particular group or interest, or for short-term political benefit.

It is of considerable concern as to just how far we have drifted from this ideal. Sadly, the drift has occurred over several governments, so only tends to be recognised as it becomes a crisis. This is certainly the case with both current national disasters, the drought and the bushfires. Our governments were poorly prepared for both, and are struggling to respond.

Both major parties, over the past couple of decades, played short-term political games with climate change rather than address its magnitude and urgency. We are left in the unimaginable position of still having no climate action plan, no energy policy, no national disaster plan, no waste-management policy, no fuel security strategy, and no transition strategies to achieve a low-carbon society by mid-century.

Even in the depths of community despair, Morrison gave no real ground on any of these issues in his Insiders interview on Sunday. It is staggering how some in the media were at pains to find some marginal policy shift in his use of the word “evolve” in relation to his climate response.

As Humpty Dumpty said to Alice in “a rather scornful tone”: “When I use a word … it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.” To which Alice replied: “The question is whether you can make words mean so many different things.” In that interview, Morrison did.

Many still completely misread Scotty from Marketing. He simply doesn’t accept either the magnitude or the urgency of the climate challenge. He is almost totally beholden to the fossil fuel lobby. Several of his senior staff are ex-coal executives; a couple of his key ministers have coal industry links; fossil fuel companies are major donors.

Morrison might say his Science Minister Karen Andrews was just doing her job this week when she called on her colleagues to stop wasting time debating climate change – because the science is settled and they should just get on with addressing it. But Andrews is adding significantly to the mounting pressure on Morrison to separate himself from the likes of Coalition MPs Craig Kelly, Matt Canavan and George Christensen. Likewise, the statement from James Murdoch dumping on his family’s media campaign against climate science is indicative of the mounting business and media pressure.

The real question is just how long can Morrison sustain his defence of the indefensible. In the Howard tradition, Morrison is attempting to do as little as possible to buy time. He has attempted to shift the focus from his poor preparation and bungling to “recovery”, planning to make daily announcements about how he will spend the $2 billion bushfire fund. The bushfire season will end – it will rain, eventually – and he hopes voters’ memories of his incompetence and lack of empathy will fade.

A royal commission would simply delay action, perhaps even beyond the next crisis. Similarly, his talk of state responsibilities and federal/state tensions and constitutional hurdles is a diversion, an attempt to shift blame.

Morrison is not actually constrained by such considerations. He could refocus and expand the role of the Australian Defence Force, over which he has full constitutional control, not just reservists, in bushfire control and recovery. He could develop a national program of regenerative agriculture, to make our soils more resilient and drought resistant. And he could certainly develop transition pathways for key sectors to accelerate emissions reductions. The states would not resist.

The declared focus of the Morrison government is to “keep Australians safe and secure”. Surely climate change is our major national security issue, out-ranking the risk of invasion, terrorism and regional insecurity. The role of our defence forces should be broadened to include specific national disaster responsibilities, to be expeditiously mobilised amid fire crises, and then for recovery.

There is a lot of fat in defence spending. Accountability is much less than for other departments; tendering and procurement processes are most inefficient, a gravy train exploited by global defence contractors, and politically corruptible. We spend almost $40 billion a year on defence, and have made staggering forward commitments for subs, frigates and fighters with acquisition costs approaching $200 billion. I am reliably advised that, with total “through-life costs” (including acquisition), that could approach three quarters of a trillion dollars.

* Why did he mess up that GST interview with Mike Willesee?  ???
Why?!!!
  Embarrassed

Continued ...
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Captain Nemo
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #1 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 10:22am
 
...

Moreover, there are basic questions such as why we are building inferior French-designed subs instead of leasing from the US; or why have we made ourselves more of a target for terrorists and the likes of Iran by having joined wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now the US armada in the Straits of Hormuz; or why would we contemplate an additional “national guard” to handle disasters.

All this rather than assigning national disaster responsibilities to all three arms of the ADF – for transport and logistics, recovery programs, our own fleet of water-carrying aircraft.

John Hewson is a professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, and a former Liberal opposition leader.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/our-greatest-security-threat-is-climate-chang...




* Why did he mess up that GST interview with Mike Willesee?  ???
Why?!!!
  Embarrassed
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The 2025 election could be a shocker.
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minarchist
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #2 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 11:12am
 
He's 73. He could give it another crack if he wanted to.

It's unfortunate that both sides of the Federal Parliament are devoid of potential leaders that we have to look back to the 90's for potential candiates (Hewson and Kennett for the Coalition; Beazley, Carr and even Keating for Labour).

Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but are there any politicians in the House of Representatives born after 1975 that are potential leadership material?
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People accuse Capitalism of being a "dog eat dog" system, yet it was the Communists who ate each other when they were starving!
 
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Captain Nemo
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #3 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 11:17am
 
Very good point Minarchist.

There was a time when political giants roamed the Earth ...

These days ...  Sad
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cods
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #4 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 12:53pm
 
god save us from little johnny hewson.....so blindfolded   he couldnt work out the gst on a birthday cake..


yeah right guys   hes all yours... its amazing how much we know and realise in HINDSIGHT   its an amazing gift people like johnny only discovered  late in life... Grin Grin Grin
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Brian Ross
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #5 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 12:59pm
 
You are quick to disown Hewson, Cods.  Perhaps too quick.  Perhaps the Tory Party is not what it'd founder Ming the Mercillous intended - a "broad church."  First Fraser.  now Hewson, how many ex-leaders do you need to jettison? Really.  Roll Eyes
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Someone said we could not judge a person's Aboriginality on their skin colour.  Why isn't that applied in the matter of Pascoe?  Tsk, tsk, tsk...   Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
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Ayn Marx
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #6 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 1:46pm
 
Brian Ross wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 12:59pm:
You are quick to disown Hewson, Cods.  Perhaps too quick.  Perhaps the Tory Party is not what it'd founder Ming the Mercillous intended - a "broad church."  First Fraser.  now Hewson, how many ex-leaders do you need to jettison? Really.  Roll Eyes

Ex-leaders of the Liberal Party are an interesting species. Possibly their intimate familiarity with the amoral machiavellian games they’ve had to adjust to whilst in office triggers some form of internal reflection in retirement?
Maybe unkind, but I’m disinclined to apply the term ‘conscience’.
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The Human Race is Insane
 
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Ayn Marx
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #7 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 1:48pm
 
minarchist wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 11:12am:
He's 73. He could give it another crack if he wanted to.

It's unfortunate that both sides of the Federal Parliament are devoid of potential leaders that we have to look back to the 90's for potential candiates (Hewson and Kennett for the Coalition; Beazley, Carr and even Keating for Labour).

Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but are there any politicians in the House of Representatives born after 1975 that are potential leadership material?

Maybe you should look to the Senate? But then again she doesn’t want to be Prime Minister. Shame.
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minarchist
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #8 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 1:57pm
 
Ayn Marx wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 1:48pm:
minarchist wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 11:12am:
He's 73. He could give it another crack if he wanted to.

It's unfortunate that both sides of the Federal Parliament are devoid of potential leaders that we have to look back to the 90's for potential candiates (Hewson and Kennett for the Coalition; Beazley, Carr and even Keating for Labour).

Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but are there any politicians in the House of Representatives born after 1975 that are potential leadership material?

Maybe you should look to the Senate? But then again she doesn’t want to be Prime Minister. Shame.


If you're referring to Sarah Hanson Young, I say good riddance. Her antithesis, David Leyonhjelm, had common sense and called out bulls#!t where he smelt it. Unfortunately, it went over the head of most Australians.
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People accuse Capitalism of being a "dog eat dog" system, yet it was the Communists who ate each other when they were starving!
 
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Ayn Marx
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #9 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 2:00pm
 
Captain Nemo wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 10:22am:
...

Moreover, there are basic questions such as why we are building inferior French-designed subs instead of leasing from the US;

Other questions arise, if we can forget submarines are about to become an obsolete technology. Can we admit holidays and free banquets in Paris for federal politicians and navy brass were simply far too tempting ?
If however we did cleave to the delusion submarines of the old kind are the way to go Mitsubishi would have been a far better choice.
American subs however are a risk. Given the sloppy quality control endemic in US sub construction, evident to even welding apprentices who got a close look at the US ’Thresher’ when docked at Williamstown Navel Dockyard some decades ago,  we might want to ask some serious questions about today's US construction standards before even renting Yankee sardine tins.
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #10 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 2:12pm
 
What would you say that the position of Prime Minister is to serve the USA (Australians are expendable) first and foremost.
As the Governor-General serves Britain.

Maybe John Hewson is that good because he did NOT become a PM?
If he did, would he have turned out like he is?
No - I think if he sat upon the PM throne, he would have turned out like the rest of them or just get replaced asap.

Power to the Politician who actually 'serves' the Australian People.
This is why the likes of Hewson, Lamby, Constance and others actually appeal to the Australian Public.
They're actually making Australian Politics work for them and not the PM's whims for USA.
We are about to experience a great change in Australian Politics!!!
Cool
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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
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Brian Ross
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #11 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 3:06pm
 
Ayn Marx wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 1:46pm:
Brian Ross wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 12:59pm:
You are quick to disown Hewson, Cods.  Perhaps too quick.  Perhaps the Tory Party is not what it'd founder Ming the Mercillous intended - a "broad church."  First Fraser.  now Hewson, how many ex-leaders do you need to jettison? Really.  Roll Eyes

Ex-leaders of the Liberal Party are an interesting species. Possibly their intimate familiarity with the amoral machiavellian games they’ve had to adjust to whilst in office triggers some form of internal reflection in retirement?
Maybe unkind, but I’m disinclined to apply the term ‘conscience’.


In part I agree.  All too often, former leaders are identified with policies that they have to fight through the Party Room and so have little real interest in supporting personally after they have retired.  Then, there is the possibility that society itself has move farther to the right than a retired leader, such as Fraser has,  with the result that they are left leaning to the liberal side of the party in their personal views.  Finally, there is the possibility they were part of the left fraction and the party as abandoned them.

What ever the explanation you have Fraser, Hewson both sounding more at home with the ALP than with the Liberal Party.    Roll Eyes
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Someone said we could not judge a person's Aboriginality on their skin colour.  Why isn't that applied in the matter of Pascoe?  Tsk, tsk, tsk...   Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
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cods
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #12 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 3:14pm
 
Brian Ross wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 12:59pm:
You are quick to disown Hewson, Cods.  Perhaps too quick.  Perhaps the Tory Party is not what it'd founder Ming the Mercillous intended - a "broad church."  First Fraser.  now Hewson, how many ex-leaders do you need to jettison? Really.  Roll Eyes





oh I am happy to get rid of those who do nothing but criticise... its not helpful is it??... we know it doesnt happen much on labor side mainly because they are threatened with extinction.... as it is Hewson lost the unlosable......and hes had to wear that crown ever since... Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes  Fraser anointed Magube  he was one of the main reasons  he became the monster of Zimbabwe  nothing sir to be proud of.... they think we all forget..... yeah right!
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Brian Ross
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #13 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 3:18pm
 
Ayn Marx wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 2:00pm:
Captain Nemo wrote on Jan 16th, 2020 at 10:22am:
...

Moreover, there are basic questions such as why we are building inferior French-designed subs instead of leasing from the US;

Other questions arise, if we can forget submarines are about to become an obsolete technology. Can we admit holidays and free banquets in Paris for federal politicians and navy brass were simply far too tempting ?
If however we did cleave to the delusion submarines of the old kind are the way to go Mitsubishi would have been a far better choice.
American subs however are a risk. Given the sloppy quality control endemic in US sub construction, evident to even welding apprentices who got a close look at the US ’Thresher’ when docked at Williamstown Navel Dockyard some decades ago,  we might want to ask some serious questions about today's US construction standards before even renting Yankee sardine tins.


USS THRESHER?  Really?  You mean the US Submarine which never left the Atlantic ocean in her short three or so years career?  My, how interested.

And who is to say that submarines are old hat?  They have substantially in the COLLINS class, increased the deterrence value of the Royal Australian Navy.  They have made life extraordinarily difficult for any nation which might consider the RAN a threat.
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Someone said we could not judge a person's Aboriginality on their skin colour.  Why isn't that applied in the matter of Pascoe?  Tsk, tsk, tsk...   Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
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Jasin
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Re: John Hewson talking more good sense.
Reply #14 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 3:50pm
 
Actually - Submarines are Australia's way to go. Let Oceania next door play with Ships and Cruise Liners, just like the Americans are the best in the Air and Aviation.

We need to follow a strength, not chase a weakness.
We need to unleash our Great White Sharks as the world's Greatest Submarine Fleet!!
We are the Down Under people and if you think idling by on an Aboriginal Man's rock is the way to go. Then you've still got a long way to go before you find your freedom Convict Man.
Use the Force.
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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
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