Labor? Liberal? Who can really tell?

The Age

Tuesday September 15, 2009

Labor? Liberal? Who can really tell?PAUL Strangio (Comment, 14/9) is surely missing the point about the newfound status of the state Labor Government. It no longer matters that Victoria has been displaced as the "jewel in the Liberal crown". To assert this cliche simply recycles an older analytic model now definitely beyond its use-by date.Of much greater moment is the assessment of what Labor has become as the "natural" party of government in Victoria. In all but name it is now identical to the Liberal Party. Whatever old Labor policies are still present in its platform, it ignores in the face of pragmatic actions that benefit the big end of town. It is a front for the profits of consultants, public relations advisers, privatisation experts, ministerial advisers, developers and the like.Such is its absence of vision and its capture by spin doctors, that it is no longer capable of the visionary leadership the state and country so desperately need. Whether this represents a "momentous shift in electoral behaviour" is an utter irrelevancy.Greg Bailey, St AndrewsRoom in the middlePAUL Strangio (Comment, 14/9) makes a good point about the Liberal Party's loss of vision in Victoria.I can give a good local example of how one-dimensional it has become: Henry Bolte rid Albert Park of motor racing in the '60s and Jeff Kennett brought it back in the '90s to give us a grand prix/casino culture. This was anathema to hard-working, well-educated, middle-class Liberal voters, whose vision was more akin to that espoused by Rupert Hamer.This middle ground of politics is now untapped, as John Brumby has allowed a further expansion of the casino and signed on to give a further $500 million of subsidies to the grand prix, while also presiding over a state that is one of the highest per capita polluters in the world. Regrettably, both sides of politics in Victoria lack the vision and policies that the majority of Victorians really want and need.Peter Logan, South MelbourneGrabbing the landWE FARMERS along the desalination pipeline corridor were horrified by tactics used under the Water Act to acquire the north-south pipeline easement.In June, to our relief, the Department of Sustainability and Environment wrote advising us that our land would be acquired under the more civilised Land Acquisition and Compensation Act, which prescribes steps with timelines, (five months from notification of ��intent to acquire�� to actual occupation). This would provide an opportunity for landowners to discuss and propose alternative alignments.Then, late last month, farmers received another DSE letter including a (previously unsighted) plan of the proposed pipeline easement. The ��intent to acquire�� letter? The first step in the Land Acquisition Act? It seems DSE has an exemption from that act.Forget the five months, forget consultation �� DSE is fast-tracking to acquire the easement within days. We were waiting for due process, expecting consultation as per the act.But John Brumby, behind our backs, snatches our land. DSE will own the easement before construction starts, establishing a right to enter the land unchallenged.Lyn Whitlam, Glen ForbesParish spending is not the problemTHE Catholic archdiocese has talked to the faithful via press release. It was a symbolic mirroring of the remoteness of the cathedral from the life of parishes. The news was that Bob Maguire had to go because of money matters. His failing appears to have been a too close reading of Matthew 19:21 �� that perfection lies in giving money away.Those of us who try to raise money for the church can often encounter resistance from parishioners about its use. Sometimes it's specific expenditures people complain about and sometimes it is inadequate scrutiny of expenditure. People notice the extensive renovation of living quarters for senior clergy with archdiocesan jobs. Or they notice the appearance of a fence around the cathedral after children annoy a priest. They certainly notice the hiring of barristers to prosecute artists.I have not heard anyone complain about parish-level expenditure. It's at an archdiocese and higher stratum that their anger is directed. If Bob Maguire is to be crucified for secular, bottom-line issues and the battle fought in the secular press, natural justice should expect the same treatment of his accusers. Let's see the books, Your Grace.Peter Dillane, NorthcoteDiscussion overARCHBISHOP Denis Hart is a commonsense man and leader of Catholics in the archdiocese. He will respect and honour our wishes to let Father Bob stay at St Peter and Paul for as long as he is able. When the majority of his flock has requested such, he is bound by the church dictum of ��consensus fidelium��, which means the consensus of the faithful. It is one of the church's highest decision-making principles. Father Bob has served his flock as the good shepherd and there is no need for any more discussion.Barbara Donovan, Waurn PondsRespect traditionUNTIL Australian policy and law matures sufficiently to accommodate Aboriginal tradition and law, it is hard to see how reconciliation can truly flourish ("When whitefella law intervenes in an Aboriginal love affair", The Age, 14/9).Aboriginal traditions are continually eroded by the lack of respect they are given in wider Australian society. It is time to afford significant weight to these traditions in Australian law and allow Aboriginal people to live as they wish, not as Australian law defines.Fiona Knight, KingsvilleIt's hardly cultureA YOUNG girl being knocked up by an older boy is hardly an example of Aboriginal culture. Unless, of course, it is also an example of culture in the US, Central and South America, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and most African nations, just to name a few. Among other things, under-age pregnancy is a result of poverty, lack of education, and underdeveloped brains making poor choices. The parents of these kids and the community that "turned a blind eye" should be the ones up on charges.Kathleen Lord, Hawthorn EastRSPCA has wrong end of the stickTHE RSPCA is a fantastic organisation when it comes to caring for animals that have suffered inhumane treatment. But for it to target the horse-racing industry, and the use of the padded riding crop, only serves to tarnish its well-earned reputation.Horses that are fortunate enough to be chosen to race can have millions of dollars invested in their care and well-being.Does the RSPCA truly believe that someone is going to abuse a multimillion-dollar investment, and all shown live on television?To expose the absurdity of the situation, jockeys need to keep riding during the spring carnival and see if the television audience of millions on cup day can detect any cruelty. Let's also hope the winning jockey does so in a whip-flourishing breach of the regulations to highlight how pathetic and pointless the new rules are.Geoff McLean, Launceston, TasBet on thisISN'T the real solution to the racing "crisis" a matter of horse sense? I reckon it's odds-on that nothing will ultimately stop the running of the Melbourne Cup.That's something that, if it comes to the crunch, both political parties will ensure won't happen. There are some things you don't mess with in good old Oz.Stan Marks, CaulfieldTwo, three . . . six?HAVING worked as a geologist in disaster research, I am aware of the need to think carefully about how public warnings are worded. Avoiding confusion is high on the list. That includes the level of severity expected. The Bureau of Meteorology warns about flooding (three levels), tropical cyclones (two levels), associated winds (three levels); other examples are the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (three levels), and the United States Geological Survey Volcano Alert (three levels). The new fire warning system for Victoria �� six levels.Associate Professor Bernie Joyce, University of Melbourne, ParkvilleUsual suspectsYET again news reports speak of incidents involving boats carrying "suspected" asylum seekers. Why "suspected"? We do not get reports of incidents involving trains carrying "suspected" commuters, aeroplanes carrying "suspected" holiday-makers or trams conveying "suspected" theatre-goers to the Arts Centre. "Presumed" will do just fine.Max Costello, North Melbourne

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