The Laziness of a Minor Party in Australian Politics

Taken Tuesday 13th August in Brisbane CBD

The Australian Independents promote themselves as a party with a high moral standing in everything that they do.

They have a web page that promotes themselves as taking the high moral ground in issues where they have an interest.

They have taken positive stances on many issues, puppy farms, agriculture and support for dairy farmers in Australia and support for Australian Veterans. All highly commendable positions.

They then promote themselves as a party that does not take an extreme position, yet their position on Coal Seam Gas is extreme. "Ban it now", no question, no review and no consideration for any other point of view.  That's somewhat extreme.

Also, take a look at the picture above. This board promotes an anti CSG rally for 3 August 2013. Pity they didn't take the high moral ground about cleaning up after themselves. 

This was taken 10 days after the rally.

They need to walk the walk not just talk the talk.

What's Wrong With Christmas???

Image via Wikipedia

The Thought Police in Queensland have struck again with Secret Santa replaced with a "Secret Friend".  According to a report on Channel 7 this evening, teachers at Pacific Pines State School in Queensland have taken political correctness to the extreme.

Over the last 15 years my wife and I have had 9 Christmases while were living in Muslim countries.  Guess what?  Most of the Muslims that you meet in these countries wish you a Merry Xmas and many will give a gift.


Remember, although Muslims don't celebrate Xmas they recognise that Christians do and understand that we will celebrate it.

Image via Wikipedia

Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Xmas is celebrated and Christians hold all of the usual festivities.

While living in the Middle East, we found that the average Kuwait and Saudi will tolerate the Xmas celebrations as long as they are subdued and respectful of the majority Muslim population.

While living in Tripoli a few years ago, almost all of the Libyans that we knew phoned to wish us a Merry Xmas and while we were out shopping the shop keepers were wishing us a Merry Xmas as we shopped.

So, when these politically correct idiots suggest that we water down the Christmas celebrations in Australia or ANY Christian country tell them to SOD OFF and get a life.  If my wife and I can celebrate Xmas openly in many Muslim countries where we have lived, why can't we celebrate it in Australia??

SA Farmers and Politicians Up In Arms Over Heavy Handed NRM Tactics

Liberal, Independent Family First MPs joined farmers who travelled to a FlagSa rally at Victor Harbor on Sunday to voice concern over the range of powers given to National Resource Management (NRM) Boards around the state. 

NRM employees enjoy greater powers than the South Australian Police Force (SAPOL).  They require no warrant issued by a judge to enter a property or to inspect any financial records relevant to farm operations. 

The NRM legislation also overturns the common law principal of innocent until proven guilty; if the NRM decide that a breach has been committed or a farmer is in any way non-compliant, the onus is on the accused to prove themselves innocent. 

Independent Legislative Council member John Darley said farmers from the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu, the Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and the West Coast have contacted his office concerned about the NRM powers.

Government and NRM representatives declined an invitation to attend the rally on the weekend.

Other concerns include unrealistic and proscriptive conditions imposed on farmers in managing their land.  Independent MLC Anne Bressington said that the current legislation had “little to do with the environment and was more about revenue raising” while Family First MP Rob Brokenshire commented that the SA Labor Government had a “city centric” approach and understood little of the problems faced by farmers in SA.

Mr Brokenshire is concerned that the State is losing the ability to produce food and suggested that the 2004 NRM act should be renamed The Sustainable Farming and Natural Resources Management Act to balance the needs of farmers with the need to protect the environment.

Mr Caica, Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, said in an interview aired on the ABC on Sunday night said he had extended invitations to FagSA representatives on numerous occasions to meet and discuss issues.

FlagSa representative and Fluerieu Peninsula cattle breeder Mr Peter Manuel responded: “Mr Caica knows my phone number and the phone number of every member of the FlagSa committee.  We have not received any invitation from him”

Mr John Darley confirmed this in his closing remarks when he stated that his office was in constant communication with Mr Caica’s and that Mr Caica was well aware of the weekend’s meeting and had not extended any invitation to meet with FlagSa representatives.

Farmers and FlagSa will continue to lobby politicians to overturn many of the more onerous provisions of the current legislation.