Politics is a dirty word

The latest Federal election result demonstrates the low-standing of politicians and the apathy of voters. It's time for change. Talk of introducing a four year term for Government is a good idea, but if we are to have a referendum, make it really worthwhile. Australia could save more than 50% of the cost of Government by dumping Federal elections and allowing the States to run the country. It's time for a major shake-up with the political system here in Australia. We just seem to lurch along from one pathetic government after another.For years Australia 'rode on the sheep's back' then after the wool price collapsed we enjoyed a mineral boom. But rather than build up financial reserves our politicians squandered every dollar. If our Governments had been prudent, the Reserve Bank would be stuffed with money and there would no need for international borrowing. Australia's lunatic fiscal policies over the past few years has just about guaranteed that we will slid...

The cost of Australia's 2016 census has been at least $450 million and the Government is still running radio ads urging people to send in their details. Many people have been questioning the value of some of the information demanded. It seems more like collecting data for the sake of collecting it rather than gathering useful information.The online version of the census was a disaster because all the initial blurb sent out made people think that they had to fill it in on the evening of the census - so everyone went on line at 7pm and the system crashed. A little thought would have prevented that. Maybe the Government could learn from the latest elephant census which has recorded a 30% decline in numbers across 18 African countries.

It's not often that I agree with former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating, but Australia does need to form its own foreign policy rather than blindly follow America's agenda. Paul Keating said on Tuesday "Australia needs a foreign policy, and it needs it urgently. Australia does not have a foreign policy." The leaders of this country should develop an awareness of the issues which drive china's economic and political progress. In the past few years Chinese business interests have donated more than $5 million to Australia's coalition parties and the Labor Party -showing that they know how things work (and they won't be happy with the anti Chinese rhetoric spewing out from Canberra).

It's not often that I agree with former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating, but Australia does need to form its own foreign policy rather than blindly follow America's agenda. Paul Keating said on Tuesday "Australia needs a foreign policy, and it needs it urgently. Australia does not have a foreign policy." The leaders of this country needs to be aware of the issues which drive china's economic and political progress. In the past few years, Chinese business interests have donated more than $5 million to Australia's coalition parties and the Labor Party -showing that they know how things work (and they won't be happy with the anti Chinese rhetoric spewing out from Canberra.

We all know that there's money in politics - but how much? The UK's former Prime Minister, Tony Blair reportedly earned 60 million pounds sterling in the latest financial year from endorsements, speaking engagements and businesses he owns. His net worth is estimated at 180 million pounds. Former US President Bill Clinton is said to have a net worth of $80 million. Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has an estimated net worth of $200 million – but that was accumulated during his years in merchant banking.

Corruption is alive and well all over the world. Some Australians think that corruption is something that happens overseas – in Asia, the US or South America. But there are endless examples here. Not only in politics, but also in the corporate world and bureaucracies. Planning permits are much easier for developers to obtain if the application is accompanied by a bag full of money. The Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales, revealed some details about the extent of the problem. But it needs a national investigation to show the full extent of the issue. The recent revelation about a Chinese company paying travel expenses for Sam Dastyari, leader of the Labor opposition in the Senate is just the tip of an iceberg as far as donations to politicians are concerned. Often, special slush fund accounts are set up to which business donate then the money is used for election campaigning. It has been common practice for State Governments to provide special deals to entice...

Australia's lunatic fiscal policies over the past few years has just about guaranteed that we will slide into recession this year. It's likely that the Australian dollar will slip to 55c US in the third quarter. At least the Federal Treasurer is making noises about cutting the excessive level of spending – but we are yet to see any action. Sustainability and economics In many opinions, Western society has been in decline for decades (if not centuries) but we do seem to be heading towards the abyss at an ever increasing speed. Australia is probably a reasonable reflection of what is happening elsewhere (at least if the drivel in newspapers and on television is any guide. There has been little real political choice when it comes to elections as all party hacks scramble for the 'middle ground' In Australia there is virtually nothing to choose on economic policies between the Liberal/National coalition and the Labor opposition. Both also have almost identical polic...