Hi there BELLY old friend...

As you well know, I'm a conservative, through and through. Look, I have to acknowledge Mr Abbott's performance has been disappointing since the election. I also realise the last six years of the Labour government, has brought about a substantial increase in our national debt. A debt the LNP wish to retire, ASAP.

I think we all accept, in order to reduce this debt, spending cuts must be made. Still in this isolated case, the relatively small injection of funds that SPC seek, an amount of circa $25 million, is not a lot of money in the scheme of things ?

What Messrs Abbott & Hockey are missing, by repudiating this small monetary request, purely on the basis the parent company Coca Cola, has made a considerable overall profit, doesn't mean Coke will standby SPC and put-up the money themselves.

They'll more than likely unceremoniously, cut SPC adrift and move on to their next positive acquisition ? Unfortunately, it's the entire industry, the growers, the cannery, the exporters, they'll all suffer, because of a very poor ill-informed decision by Messrs Abbott & Hockey, to save a few dollars. Have a look at some of ONTHEBEACH's threads, for the other recognised Canneries that have closed. We simply cannot afford to lose this industry !

This error, though not momentous in itself, nevertheless to the electorate at large, makes the government look complete fools and worse, perjurers ! By alleging the handful of workers at SPC are receiving 'Rolls Royce' benefits, nearly commensurate with that of politicians themselves. And that will never do !

Wake up LNP, before you're thrown out of office for good !

Hi again ONTHEBEACH...

I honestly believe whatever industrial ills that negatively impact upon this once great country, it will be the farmer alone, who will actually rescue us. Everybody, around the world needs food and clothing merely to survive. Sure, our mining industry is important but once we've exhausted our mineral resources, or more importantly, when other nations start to exploit their own mineral resources, it'll be the farmer who'll be our saviour !

Russia, South America, the African Continent and more, all are extremely rich in minerals. So in short time, they'll no longer need Aussie minerals, they'll mine their own. And if we're very smart, we'll be the one's to feed 'em all ! So yes, ONTHEBEACH we must assist, aid and protect, in everyway possible, our rural producers at all costs ! If not, we'll be dependent always, on others.

o sung wo mate I understand your politics and tell you most Liberal voters are just like you, good people.
I noted your commentson my return took on board that Iagreed with and dumped the rest, not much.
I bring concerns at the polling booth or pre polling, to my own side.
See my first act is to introduce myself to all other partys folk and commit to a happy peaceful day.
I like to remind them in the end we are all Australians and what ever the result we will be on Sunday.
Mate I do get crank, you just must see a few of the retorts are not fair.
But such is life and we if we take for granted the wrongs in our team must take ownership of the decent that surely follows.
Tony Abbott is not Satan not evil but gee he is not a leader in time it is my view his team, not mine will remove him.
The question is am I entitled to hold such views.
Sadly o sung wo NO in the eyes of a few.
And? the polls seem to be welcome when against Labor, and wrong when against Tony.

Hi there BELLY old chap...

I agree with you, absolutely ! I believe most politicians (on all sides of politics) endeavour to do their best, but sometimes fall short. I don't care particularly, what their individual policies are, as long as what they do, is both ethical and for the overall amelioration for our Country.

I have noticed a few contributors herein, occasionally do try to bait you BELLY, from time to time. The best thing is ignore them, if possible. Failing that, try to reply in a courteous manner.

Myself, if someone has a go at me, I tend to respond with derision. And in so doing I don't win too many friends ? Probably NOT the best approach for handling those herein, who seek to be sarcastic and contemptuous of anything you may say ? Anyway BELLY old chap, it's all just a big game really ! Simply enjoy it ?

Unfortunately, so many write it off as 'just a game'; the 'game' of politics, of media 'revelations' and headlining, of public media (internet/mobile) spoofing, trolling or conceited abuse, or the life game of one-up-man-ship (the bigger house, the faster car, the Rolex, diamonds, bling and Gucci), of business vs the environment, the 'pushing' of share-price in pursuit of indecent mega-salaries and bonuses, the dog-eat-dog quest to squeeze-out the little guy to maximise market share and attain the pinnacle of price-maker rather than price-taker, the 'Get-ups' and protests written-off as delusional, counterproductive and infantile (or just annoying), the 'them' vs 'us' ideological bias, the contest of growth vs sustainability and the chasing of 'profit' irrespective of collateral consequences, or the urge to propagate one's genes irrespective of the social or global consequences of population escalation, the 'game' of IR, or the question of what is 'too big to fail' or 'too small to save'.

A complex life, but definitely not a game.

What can we expect of our political governors when it comes to the public and national interest - in response to SPCA or to the impact of our escalating drought, to free-trade vs protection of local business and jobs, to national debt vs conditions, welfare safety-net, infrastructure demands and shrinking industrial capacity? We expect a balanced response to such myriad demands, an impartial, honest, humanitarian and 'responsible' response.
We should expect a similar response from ourselves - with bias and vested-interest left at the door - in our assessment, and in our expectations of our governors.

Ideals, not ideology.

How to assess priorities?

An example: It came to my notice that, due to the drought, a cattle farmer sent his stock to the local sale against advice - because he no longer had feed for them, had no reserves to buy-in feed, and escalating debts. The stock failed to sell - not even a bid. He took the stock home, shot them, and then, shot himself.
I understand this example is only one of five - so far.
This speaks of desperation - for the stock, and for the farmers and their families - a desperation far exceeding anything most of us will experience, and which should make all union hacks or business and political overseers pushing a vested barrow or using stand-over tactics feel ashamed, and cause all of us to review what is really important.

Bias is unhelpful and unwanted; let's try walking in each others shoes before casting judgement - and gear our efforts to ensuring we may expect no less from all those who can make a difference.

It would be valuable on any measure to save SPCA, but making it a political or IR 'football' can only cloud any meaningful assessment of viable options - public or private.
The national interest is not well served by focusing on 'personalities' or on 'agenda', when we should be focusing on means, priorities, and opportunity.