The most serious problem with Mr Hockey’s speech, however, is his focus on energy costs and the carbon tax: “The most direct step the Federal government can take to lower electricity and gas prices is to abolish the carbon tax.”
Yes, energy costs have risen. But why? Mr Hockey seems unaware of the global consensus regarding emissions reduction, the reality that emissions are now reducing in Australia and emerging green energy alternatives.
None of those three concepts gets a mention.
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Questions arising from Mr Hockey’s presentation include: Does the Shadow Treasurer really understand the factors that propelled Australia to the top of the world’s economies during the GFC? If not, is Australia at risk of slipping back down the rankings again?
Why no mention of values such as fairness, sharing the proceeds of Australia’s natural wealth, and protecting the environment?
And why so little analysis in Australia’s media of the philosophy and policies – or lack thereof – of the people who hope soon to control the levers?
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About the Author
Alan Austin is an Australian freelance journalist currently based in Nîmes in the South of France. His special interests are overseas development, Indigenous affairs and the interface between the religious communities and secular government. As a freelance writer, Alan has worked for many media outlets over the years and been published in most Australian newspapers. He worked for eight years with ABC Radio and Television’s religious broadcasts unit and seven years with World Vision. His most recent part-time appointment was with the Uniting Church magazine Crosslight.
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