Our readers tell John Howard what he should do in his third term - Part 1

From: Ted Harris
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 3:34 PM

The next Howard Govt needs to improve it's operations in the Dept of Vets Affairs. It is on record that Minister Scott allowed that which forms part of the heart and soul of Australia, the ANZAC name, to be commercialised in ways never before dreamed of. ANZAC has been protected by Commonwealth legislation for 80 odd years but the Minister can allow exemptions as he sees fit.

One such way the outgoing Minister chose was to approve a circus type Great ANZAC Military Tattoo to be run for profit. There were many other examples. For instance the Minister allowed the use in the context, ANZAC Muesli Bar. He claimed that as the ANZAC biscuit was a traditional recipe dating back to 1915 so too was a muesli bar OK. It's funny, all my research shows not one reference to a muesli bar in WW1, WW2, Korea or Vietnam. Some 'traditional recipe'.

Complaints or requests for information were answered, up to five (5) months later with a curt, "The Minister is not prepared to debate individual cases with anyone who is not a party to the application". Translation: If you are not the applicant you opinion does not count. I have offered the Minister written records showing that the New Zealand Government, the RSA (New Zealand's RSL equivalent) and the public in both countries disagree with Minister Scott but of course they are not 'party to the application'.

Will the new Minister take a firmer hold over her errant bureaucrats? We live in hope.

From: John Johnson
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 5:06 PM

In my opinion the first think that the newly elected government (not only the Prime Minister)should do, is to start working towards simplification of legislation.

People that I talk with are totally against all the complications that keep on increasing in our, already very busy life. The Tax legislation is far too complicated! The same goes with almost all pieces of legislation.

Unemployment is about to rise. What provisions is the government making to minimise the expected rise?

One must not forget the state affairs. The Liberal Party has only 3 members in the state parliament. What happened with the talk about the "Reforms" that were to take place so that the state Liberal Party could, one day have a legitimate claim to bigger parliamentary representation?

It appears that the people who caused all the problems over the last 6 years are still in control of the Qld Liberal Party. It appears that Canberra does not really care about Qld, for as long as they can deliver the Federal Members that are needed for Howard to remain in government.

This state should have a Liberal government, but the way the liberals are fighting and are looking after their egos, this will never happen.