..of things to do which, if labor accomplishes them, would allow me to hope for oz's future. in the first term:

1. put a rugged, light weight laptop in the hands of every schoolchild child, for free.

2. adjust immigration to 'no increase'.

3. create a universal carbon tax applicable to every device and commercial process.

4. train enough electricians to install solar cells on every rooftop in oz in a ten year period.

in the second term,

5. install an electricity buy-back scheme similar to germany's, with a full-cost low-interest loan, to get domestic energy off our footprint.

6. announce a "we're done with war" policy, withdrawing from any treaties for mutual defense except with enzed.

there, see- i'm not a monomaniac. no mention of democracy, which i confess, is too hard for you. maybe your children, if they survive pollie rule...

my editor function has been whinging about pay and conditions lately, maybe 'schoolchild child' is a hint i should squirt some oil in that direction.

"I've got a little list,
of people who would not be missed"-G&S
1. Ruddock.(Pillock!)

I would like to see my civil rights and privacy returned.
I would like to see 'freedom of information' "free" and available.

I would like to see the "War on Terror" not to be a war on our democratic/international rights and justice system.
I would like to see us talking to Terrorists about their fears and concerns rather than shooting them.

I would like to see a government that was accountable to the people and could not get away with abuses like spending a 1/4Bil$ on "advertising" in one year. Or using public assets like Kirrabilli house as their own personal property.

I would like to see us building some of our own military hardware ($10Bil Spanish Boats, $**USA Paper Planes?)

I would like to see us buy back Telstra and get back our first world communication system.

I would like to see us paying the dole to kids to go to Uni or Technical college full time. (Perhaps we could ask them to agree to spend x years working in Australia, before going to the US to make more money.)

I would like to see teachers- pre-school infants, secondary,uni- tutors- salaries doubled.

I would like to see every kid in Australia able to learn a musical instrument or sing.

I would like to see nurses salaries doubled.

I would like to see doctor's salaries halved perhaps by training thousands and flooding the market (remember supply and demand curves*)

I would like to see a free dental system for the poor and pensioners.
TOO MANY WORDS SEE PART TWO I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS
WHY CAN"T I USE QUESTION MARKS*(There are only three) WHAT HAVE YOU GOT AGAINST PUNCTUATION*

PART TWO
I've got a LITTLE? list

I would like to see a number of billion dollar "Future Funds", where the recipient could only spend the interest/investment income on the money. So eventually it would become self funding
I would give these Future Funds to:

1 The ABC for drama (employment for our wonderful actors and film makers), international& country broadcasting and current affairs.
This would take the ABC out of the political arena once and for all (As Sir Humphrey would say "a brave/courageous" move?)

2. Tasmanian University for a state of the art medical training facility.(Country students can't afford accommodation in cities)

3 UNSW for a state of the Art Alternative energy Technology Centre.
3 Sydney University for nanotechnology
4. NSW Hospitals.
5 Technical Education.
6 etc

There are so many. . .Perhaps we could have a yearly lottery as long as the 10Bil$ + Budget surplus continue. (We now pray for the health of the Chinese Economy)

Mostly, I would like to be proud of being an Australian, not cringe as many overseas now do.

All wishes granted!!
Fluff4 alias Father Xmas.

Ditto that Fluff4. 'Cause they've been good and deserve it!

oops forgot to add - alias "Mary Christmas." (Santa's mum).

m2, you can have all those things, and more. but they aren't free. first you have to establish democracy in australia. when you do that, you create the political mechanism, 'citizen initiative', to reach over the heads of pollies and do things the people want, or need.

the best part is, the pollies become responsive and humble.

i would like to see the end of the GST and some money in my purse for a change.I know i have a snowballs chance in hell but it's nice to daydream.

The GST is here for good.
although there is no reason why it could not be rolled back on more food products, rent, and some services.

It would be nice to get rid of double taxation like the 38c a litre Federal Excise on petrol (which is then taxed, again, at 10% GST)

Petrol taxes are very inflationary and add to the cost of everything. Especially in a country as vast as Australia.

The least we could do is reduce the excise on petrol/ethanol mixes (where the ethanol is made in Aust.)and natural Gas which we have oodles of.

This may be of relevance/interest ?

On Dec 11, we're holding Vision GetTogethers - short 90 minute gatherings of local GetUp members - to develop your vision for GetUp, and for the nation. It's the vital first step in our bold plan to hand every MP a list of your priorities before Parliament sits early next year. Our goal is to have at least one Vision GetTogether in every single electorate in the country.

That's why we're inviting you to sign up to host a GetTogether. It's fun and easy - we'll provide you with everything you need on the night (even the guests!). All we need from you is to pick a venue, whether it's a local cafe, pub or community hall, or your living room, and sign up now:

www.getup.org.au/community/gettogethers/series.php?id=16

I like your carbon tax policy. This is the cheapest way to reduce emission. Though I don't get why you combined with with solar cells - the most expensive method.

I'd like to see the end of Workchoices.

I'd like to see an end to hospital waiting lists.

I'd like to see free dental care for pensioners.

I'd like to see lower prices for child care.

I'd like to see our troops brought home.

Wait - we've got a new government - perhaps my wishes will be granted...

I am a disabled pensioner.
My wife had a serious, painful, wisdom tooth, impaction problem
She could not get into see her, or any local, dentist
Finally she rang the Dental Hospital and they told her she could have an "emergency" appointment in 12 months time (!)
("Normal" appointments have a 3 year waiting list.
How cruel can a society get?)
How many of you have suffered severe tooth pain for 12 months to three years?

I would love to see the Senate's ability to refuse supply abolished.
"Government by the people. In the people's house." -GW

But it looks like the Senate might be neither Labor or Liberal.