Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The year that never was

By Everald Compton - posted Friday, 21 December 2018


When I was growing up, our local bank manager was a trusted and revered pillar of society. Now, its almost impossible to find a bank manager, let alone an honest one. You have to phone someone in a far away head office and the sad fact is that whoever you finally speak to is not there to help you but to find some way to charge you unjustifiable fees.

The sheer depravity of our financial institutions, as discovered by the Royal Commission, is hard to believe, as is their ability to pay their executives such huge bonuses that a sheer robbery of the funds of shareholders and customers.

I do know some bankers who are trustworthy people, but it is sad to live in a society where it is actually naive to trust a bank.

Advertisement

Then, to cap it off, Australia once more proved how expertly amateurish we are at knocking off our Prime Ministers.

The demise of Malcolm Turnbull was hugely disturbing because it was done in such a ham-fisted way that bordered on insanity.

Firstly, we must acknowledge that Turnbull had no political nous whatsoever and caused his own downfall by opening up his leadership to a challenge when there was absolutely no need to do so. If he had not done that, he would still be Prime Minister today.

However, when he let the vultures loose, the callous and bloodthirsty manner in which he was cut down was horribly disgraceful and cruelly nasty.

And the fact that 45 Liberals, some of whom are grossly incompetent politicians, were able to decide alone who should be our Prime Minister is fundamentally wrong. Their decision to do so was a desecration of democracy as were the plots that removed Rudd, Gillard and Abbott.

There are other depressing issues we could talk about such as Australia's appallingly inept Energy policies and our childish denial of climate change as well as international matters like the Brexit farce. Then there is the gross embarrassment of having Trump as the leader of the Western World, as well as our regret of the sad demise of Angela Merkel who has been a great leader of Europe.

Advertisement

But, before I get too downhearted, let me say that my faith in the huge potential of Australia has not diminished. All that we need is a Parliament of quality to give us inspired leadership.

The current one will see huge changes at the next election. No matter which Party wins, there will be a lot of new faces in the new Parliament replacing many who should never have been elected in the first place.

My hope is that, over the next decade, we will see the demise of the Liberals, Labor Nationals and Greens and their replacement by two new Parties.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. All

This article was first published on Everald Compton.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

27 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Everald Compton is Chairman of The Longevity Forum, a not for profit entity which is implementing The Blueprint for an Ageing Australia. He was a Founding Director of National Seniors Australia and served as its Chairman for 25 years. Subsequently , he was Chairman for three years of the Federal Government's Advisory Panel on Positive Ageing.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Everald Compton

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Everald Compton
Article Tools
Comment 27 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy