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Howard's agenda behind the agendas? : Comments
By Judy Cannon, published 7/12/2005Judy Cannon argues that current legislation will lead to extending centralised government.
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At the same time as it endorses, in principle, the notion of smaller government it has in its actions - on immigration, welfare, IR, terorrist legislation , proposed changs to the electoral act, will all give rise to greater government control.
You can still be over governed by a small government - it is not numbers that count rather the level of control they weild. And this is a government run on the principles of mannagement by getting its own way - even in the face of majority dissent or facts contradiciting their assumptions.
It keeps its own counsel and consults widely with itself - the procession of partisan appointments to various boards and senior public serice roles is testimony to that _ and yes the ALP did it too - but no where near with the finesse or to the extnet that these guys do.
THe internal dissent with in the party over Voluntary Student Unionism, Welfare reform, immigration laws, sedition and anti terrorism will grow over time because in may ways the direction of strict control and over regulation is anathema to the principles once espoused by the "broad church" of the liberal party - the nationals are slowly becoming dissafected as well - we will revisit the old Wet/Dry split of some time ago again
Many of them are seeing their party driven by a desire to stay in power rather than govern for the good of the nation - this type of hubris - a characterstic JH assured us would not be displayed by his government ( and when will the pollies learn, it is our government - not John's, or Bobs or Pauls but ours )with control of both houses.
The hubris of Howard will eventually trip our government up; its a pity so many will suffer while we have to wait.