"Governments should not be funding people or groups to make political statements, regardless of whether those statements are for or against any political party." - Bernie Masters

Interesting point Bernie, but the Government isn't funding these groups to make political statements. Its funding them for community services - say these groups come across a situation that is making their cause difficult, a situation that is being exacerbated by bad government policy.

Should they not speak out on a political matter? Even if it makes the government of the day look bad?

Or should they just shut their yap-hole and be grateful for funding, even if it means their situation is getting worse?

I'm not trying to be facile (ok, maybe the yap-hole comment is) but I would appreciate your honest reply.

SHONGA,

I know that you and I have not seen eye to eye very often in the past, but I can only say that if you think that the Labor Party has moved to the right of politics, considering that around 90% of the voters support the Labor, Liberal and other parties to the right of Liberal, that puts you as I have always expected on the extreme left.

Why you and others of similar mind cannot see that left-wing politics has had its day, and that politics is going to move more and more to the right for the rest of our lives, as the standard of living falls and the world becomes more dangerous and unstable, is something that I have never been able to understand. The best description of the world today, with its exploding population, pollution, and dimishing resources, is that of one where the four horsemen of the apocalypse (War, Famine, Pestilence and Death) are saddled up, ready to ride forth. Please persuade me that I am wrong.

I disagree with you Tanya. Charitable groups and political groups are totally different beasts. The charity is supposed to be providing benefits to the needy in our community and for this they receive special tax treatment and sometimes funding. The political group is there to promote the ideas and interests of its members which isn't necessarily in the community interest.

I don't see this as a left or right issue. The same rules should apply to right wing church groups as apply to left wing green groups. I think the government started this course of action in response to the charitable status of the Wilderness Society and Greenpeace, but they are not the only culprits.

Personally. I believe political groups should not accept funding and should maintain complete independence.

The best description of the Western world today: exploding pollution from unbridled use of resources (selfishness), and a dimishing population.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse (War on truth, Famine of values, Pestilence of excess and culture of Death) are saddled up, but who or what is going prevent the gate from being opened?

It won't be a distracted & apathetic public who see the ALP and Lib/Nat's giving themselves extra electoral payments and who are still dumb enough to vote for them.

it's very easy to get public input to the direction of australia: just institute democracy.

actual democracy, that is-

law and general policy set by citizen initiated referendum.
direct election of ministers of state.
public affairs conducted in public.

no political party will bring us democracy, any more than hyenas will recommend a vegetarian diet.

tanya is just promising 'more fish from labor', her gang isn't issuing fishing poles.

Yes Tanya
Its termed feeding the chooks.
Speaking of Labour an funding they were afraid to turn up at the AWB enquiry and to honestly disclose to the public the ownership of Live Animal Exports by AWB
Who said Wheat, or is it weak!
What a pity there were ARAID OF LOOSING THEIR Funding from disclosing the connection to the public.

Oh Diddims! Fancy Being so desperate to score a few points with the public and then find out you have to keep your mouth shut.

When you know that 90 percent of the public want live exports banned and its a political hot spot bUT you have to head for the hills when asked to inform the poblic.
Shame on you Kevin and Beazley.
But dont lose your funding now will you?
Thats what control of public money does Bernie.
Keeps the truth from the people who own the money.
Then again you already knew that didnt you.
Family first have the answer. Just use the name church and suck up to any political agenda that suites them
Plenty of funding that way Bernie.!