Politics is a dirty word

  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.

  After weeks of speculation, the decision by The Reserve Bank of Australia to cut the prime interest rate by 0.25% may create more problems than it solves. It will be a real tragedy if it is forced to put rates back up in 6 months if they realise the cut was too early and kicked off inflation again. That w i l l damage the economy, and create turmoil for consumers and the Government . Interest rates have been historically low for several years which has allowed unfettered spending.Although some people grandstand about financial hardship, and complain they have difficulty paying their mortgage, rent or food bills, they have no trouble finding money for an airline ticket to Bali or some other destination. They clearly have no regard for their carbon footprint.

 We will soon be in the midst of a Federal election which pretends to allow us to express our democratic rights. The reality is that because  our electoral system allows preferential voting, the Government outcome will be a result of deals and favours with individuals who have little support in the community but are good manipulators. Will it make any difference? Whoever wins, the politicians will continue to look after their own interests and maintain their extravagant 'entitlements' while we lesser mortals are just expected to shut up and pay the bills. At least we will be able to dump the current bunch of no-hopers but it doesn't matter who forms Government – bureaucrats run the show anyway and their financial interests are  tied to  politicians.