Politics is a dirty word

 The stupidity of our political system has been highlighted again by the latest Federal election. For years successive Governments have been enmeshed in internal party politics. Politicians owe more allegiance to their parties than to voters in their electorates. The people do not elect Prime Ministers – they elect local members to Parliament who appoint the PM. The best way forward is to dump preferential voting and go back to a ‘first past the post’ system for elections. That would eliminate the absurdity of candidates winning a seat (particularly in the Senate when they only receive a handful of votes. The only point of voting is to to provide an effective and stable form of Government – but that is not what happens in Australia. In recent years, our ridiculous preferential voting system has seen a host of dubious individuals elected even though they garnered just a sprinkling of votes. Not only that, political parties select leaders on a whim – which has seen the farce of...

 Rather than spending billions of dollars supporting US industries, Australia should consider cancelling the Aukus submarine deal. If it is felt that long range submarines are needed to defend Australia, better and less costly options are available Swedish C71 Expeditionary submarines are long-range, high-endurance vessels, with the accommodation and storage capacity to keep  crews comfortable, fully equipped and operational for long periods underwater. Crews will need little additional training to fully integrate the vessels with Australia's naval resources. Protecting underwater infrastructure and shipping routes is vital and Sweden’s Kockums submarines have capability in seabed operations, and can protect critical underwater infrastructure, as well as shipping routes. The submarines are powered by conventional diesel-electric propulsion machinery and equipped with the Kockums Stirling AIP (air-independent propulsion) system. The silent Stirling system contributes to the s...

 One of the great quotes from nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott is "Politics is not really politics anymore, it is run, for the most part, by advertising firms who sell politicians to the public the way they sell bars of soap or cans of beer."

 The tariffs introduced by President Trump are a clear indication that the United States cannot be relied on as a friendly power. Far from retaliating with our own tariffs on US products, Australia should take action which Americans will understand. Immediately cancelling the Aukus submarine deal will gain their attention as will refusing to order more US aircraft, such as the F35 and charging billions of dollars in ground rent for US bases such as Pine GAP and North West Cape.

 The Victorian Government seems determined to destroy the building industry with ithe introduction of a new layer of bureaucracy and cost. The Building & Plumbing Commission  has replaced the Victorian Building Authority. It encompases  Domestic Building Disputes Resolution Victoria and the Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) function of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority. The bureaucratic juggernaut will impose huge costs on an industry already reeling from a huge increase in the cost of compliance as well as materials and labour.

  Bass Coast Shire councillors should be held personally liable for any costs resulting from their decision to reject an application by Heidelberg Materials to widen Stanley Road, Grantville, It seem likely that ratepayers will face a huge bill to defend Councillors’ decision at VCAT. The road widening has long been a requirement of the planning permit previously issued by the Shire and was approved by Shire planning staff as well as DEECA. Rather than make ratepayers foot the bill, councillors who refused the planning application should be personally liable. All councillors other than Jan Thompson, who had the sense to vote for the application should pay every cent.