I would be interested to know who is behind GetUp.

I have seen their website and the proclamation that they just want to reclaim the debate (or whatever).

Does any one know, and have proof, of their financial support base? Are they a front for the Labor Party? The Democrats? The Greens?

I reckon someone must know....

I get regular emails from GetUp and am happy to do so. It has been claimed by at least one OLO poster [for what that may be worth] that GetUp is connected with the Australian Labor Party. I really don't know, neither do I care.

I respond, or sometimes ignore, depending upon my assessment of the relevance or validity of the particular issue.

Regardless of who is involved, surely every govt which claims to be democratic would accept the importance of an effective, challenging, review type opposition. Well, currently in Australia we don't seem to have an adequate opposition, for various reasons.

It is often unfortunately true that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Since Howard has had control of the Senate, we've seen more than a bit of this, haven't we? This may be good enough for some of the world's totalitarian regimes, religious or political [but hardly good for their oppressed people]. But surely we deserve better than this in Australia. I see GetUp as trying to redress this imbalance and congratulate whoever is behind it.

Even if, on consideration, we tend to disagree with GetUp's stance on various issues, well that in itself is part of trying to keep ourselves well informed, isn't it?

This would have to be a greens party spinoff
or one off there sideline groups

Stu
Australian peoples Party
email:swulrich@bigpond.net.au

GETUP needs to....GET REAL :)

I read their opening thingy..and it seems to be a Labor/Green kind of thing. Perhaps the Green Labor mob? Who knows...I care even less, I just noticed it was the same old same old recycled political lefist clap trap re-packaged, offering nothing really new except another talkfest ... perhaps I'm being too harsh.

It all boils down to selfish politics from what I observe. Bailleu is using 'populist' tactics, "Vote for me..and I promise promise promise"
Though is claim to 'bring back technical schools' (from the Member for Kilsyth/Montrose) is ironic given that Jeff baby blew them out of the educational water.

Bracks is NOW talking dollars and cents for improving educational facilities.. WHERE WAS THIS for the past decade if its so bad ?

I had a conversation with a passionate Green supporter at gym the other day and he is amazed that people would vote Famillies First
when we share so many issues in common. But as I explained to him, Christians have little interest in a party led by a practicising open homosexual who is on record as OPPOSING the restriction on availability of XXX rated porn by mail order from ACT when every state has outlawed it.

I can SUGGEST a very valid place for GETUP...and its THIS:

Campaign against Chinese slave labor ! Goto the Consulate (I'll JOIN them) and yell like crazy... dance around, blow whistles, hold up banners and signs... condemn by name Chinese leaders... yep..I'll be in that.

Given that many of our Agricultural and Resource connected people have a vested interest in this, (and the Coalition in particular) it might bring down the wrath of the powers to be, but that is a cause I'd promote no matter what.

ISSUES for GETUP to GET UP.

-Outsourcing to India of IT and Back Office jobs including customer support.
-Outsourcing of EVerything else to China.
-Short sighted 'dig it up and sell it quick' resource policies.
-Chinese SLAVE labor.

When all fails I can still grow my own vegies and raise a goat or 3.

Here is the end-game for John Howard's social reforms (and all his ilk on the right-wing end of politics). This is REALLY what they want:
Skip all the intermediate steps (saves all the inconvenient "debating in Parliament" and argy bargy with Unions and lawyers) and go straight to this!

1. Abolish all benefits to all workers immediately. (John Howard has nearly done this to date)
2. Those who object to this, should be sacked immediately (and they already have been). They can try to find the money to fight a court case for "unlawful dismissal".
3. Immediately coerce (did I say that!) remaining employees into signing Australian Workplace Agreements that are internationally competitive (this is in the papers every week now); where pay rates will be matched with, and pegged to, those equivalent workers in India (and paid in Rupees) or China (and paid in Yuan). Better still outsource it !
4. Anyone who doesn't sign an AWA - refer to point 2 above.
5. Offer jobs to any/all of the following:
(a) sacked workers who have since applied to Centrelink (who will be refused unemployment benefits unless they take the job at the internationally competitive (lowest) pay rates on offer);
(b) migrants who aren't used to prior working conditions (John Howard is bringing them in by the boatload)
(c) any other worker in the world who will work for the internationally competitive (lowest) pay rates on offer.
6. Use the highest and lowest wages differential of USA as a benchmark. Aim to quadruple the spread by 2008 (unless the Rupee/AUD or Yuan/AUD is larger).
7. Anyone who complains about the government will be imprisoned for sedition or as a suspected terrorist under current draconian laws.

Think I'm joking? Read the newspapers again !

Results of above social re-engineering plan -

Those who are left will:

1. Be referred to Centrelink who will refer them to 5(a) above.
2. If unsuccessful, apply to nearest Charity (Smith Family/ St Vincent de Paul/ Salvation Army) who will be overwhelmed and under funded (since those in a job cannot afford to give to charity and those who can afford to give to a charity will say "let the bludgers starve").
3. Sell children to business owner who wants to provide employment for "youth unemployed". Promised to provide food & board in exchange for 20 hours, 7 days work a week.
4. Take up residence in nearest cardboard box (Eddy Avenue is full now).
5. Wonder whether it is worth continuing to live.

Exclusions to this plan are:

1. Sick, injured, infirm, old or mentally ill. They are not economically viable "production units" (see Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged; speech by John Galt) and should be eliminated immediately. Suggest they be "released into the community" and/or incarcerated in a prison. At least cut their disability entitlements and means test (exclude) anyone who can breathe unassisted. Possible alternative is the Auschwitz solution (Arbeit Macht Frei rule) for all.
2. Business Owners. They supply the capital and need to concentrate it at much as possible in the hands of the fewest. Hence the need to lower wages and conditions. (get those diabled bludgers working for their meals).
3. Politicians. These guys help re-engineer the society which will keep all the "production units" in production.