Politics, the art or science of government, has shaped civilisation since time immemorial. From Pericles to Machiavelli, from Washington to our generation, it has filled the pages of history with triumphs and tragedies, allured us with scintillating tales of power and glory and seen the best, and worst, of mankind. The inheritors of the Westminster legacy, we are truly fortunate to live in a country where the people hold their rulers to account and not vice versa. This power, as Gandhi teaches, is also a responsibility: “In true democracy every man is taught to think for himself” for “Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate” in the words of former American Vice-President Hubert Humphrey.
So let us think for ourselves, hammer out freedom on the anvil of debate and have a say in our country’s future.
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Many are calling for an Australian bill of rights to ensure human rights are duly protected. Is there really a need for such an instrument? Should it be statutory or constitutional? Is it undemocratic in that it transfers power from the elected representatives of the people (Parliament) to an unelected, unaccountable judiciary? What kind of rigths should be included in a bill of rights?
An age-old institution is being attacked: what side should we be on? To answer this question, I begin with a negative argument, i.e. why we cannot accept gay marriage; I then attempt to show that the discrimination charge is circular; lastly, I propose a positive argument, namely why the current definition of marriage is the best.
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Many now view the monarchy as an antiquated, irrelevant institution that will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history. Iconoclasm may be tempting to some, but I believe we should think twice before we amputate a limb of our national heritage and rewrite the Constitution. (continue reading »)
Since October last year, most citizenship applicants must pass the citizenship test. The test sparked some controversy at the time of its introduction and has recently come under the following attack (Herald Sun, 15/6/08):
AUSTRALIA’S citizenship test has been given a fail by the former diplomat charged with reviewing it. (continue reading »)
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Some believe that the free operation of market forces results in the most efficient distribution of scarce resources whereas others hold that the government is in the best position to oversee and control the economy. Where do you stand and why?
The Rudd Government is committed to adopting an Emissions Trading Scheme by 2010, which is an election year. It is projected to cause considerable economic pain with potentially ruinous consequences for certain industries, if not household budgets. Given that Australia cannot effectively address climate change alone (as its emissions are negligible compared with the rest of the world), has the Govenment acted prudently in committing the country to an ETS regardless of what the rest of the world does? (continue reading »)
The NSW Labor Government intends to privatise the state’s electricity industry and has the in-principle support of the Liberal Opposition, subject to a number of conditions. The Government, already sinking in the polls, faces a backlash from unions and its own rank-and-file members who, in the last Labor conference, voted down the proposal 702-107. (continue reading »)
Click here to read Andrew Bolt’s fascinating analysis of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, in the Herald Sun (30/7/08). Bolt argues (not facetiously in my view) that the character of Batman is actually a metaphor for President Bush. Whatever the actual intentions of director Chrisopher Nolan, this column offers very interesting insights not only into the film but into the character and presidency of George Bush.
The Sydney Morning Herald (12/7/08):
“China and Russia today blocked a US draft resolution in the UN Security Council that would have slapped sanctions on Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe over his disputed re-election.
The Chinese and Russian envoys joined their colleagues from South Africa, Libya and Vietnam in opposing the draft which would have imposed an assets freeze and a travel ban on Mugabe and 13 of his cronies, as well as an arms embargo. Indonesia abstained.”
Given the recent failure by the UN to condemn Rubert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, can the institution still profess moral authority?
In September 2005, a Danish newspaper called Jyllands-Posten printed a series of cartoons mocking the prophet Mohammad and linking Islam with violence. The cartoons were reprinted in newspapers in more than fifty other countries. (continue reading »)
I will admit that initially I was torn on this question, ultimately I believe it is about expression of identity. The argument for not allowing girls to wear veils in schools is a simple one. It creates difference and demonstrates the extent to which Muslims or any other group are not integrating into society. Those who champion this view believe in a neutral public space, a place that can nurture a common life from which religion is excluded. (continue reading »)
