I promised myself I wouldn’t write about politics as the feedback from my weekly column readers (or reader, depending on who I count) is that they have no interest in the subject.
I find that surprising, but not so with what we seem to be prepared to put up with.
There have been three major elections this year: local government in March, the marathon US vote, and the state poll to round out the year and make us match fit for a federal ballot early in 2025.
Sadly, all three elections had one common denominator (as probably will the fourth next year): people saying whatever they deem necessary to get them elected.
We had council candidates tossing up all sorts of promises – actually some to solve the world problems, not just the Sunshine Coast.
We had illegal immigrants supposedly eating residents’ dogs in the US, while in Queensland politics we had promises on power stations, service stations, free kids’ lunches and 50-cent fares.
I am generalising.
There are some fantastic elected representatives at all levels but they are outnumbered by muppets just wanting to get a minimum wage of $180,000-plus.
That’s bloody sad.
We seem to put up with this nonsense and some of us believe the empty promises and continual self-praise and propaganda that goes with it.
It doesn’t seem to concern us greatly that a first-year qualified nurse gets paid about the same as a stop-and-go person.
It doesn’t seem to worry us that teachers in this state have to buy stationery for their classes.
We seem comfortable with the fact that ambulance officers get threatened daily, but most magistrates prefer not to record a conviction because “the perpetrator had a tough childhood”.
Right now the state LNP is making the right noises regarding our soaring crime figures.
So, let’s hope they stay committed to pre-election promises.
I am hopeful, but what I am not as bullish about is the upcoming federal election.
I am hoping there is substance to it but am preparing myself to be disappointed.
I am reminded of a recent cartoon I saw.
It was a wolf standing on its back legs at a lectern with about a thousand sheep standing in front of him.
The caption said: “I promise, if am elected, I am going to become a vegetarian.”
Those sheep looked so hopeful.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
