As comedian Laurel said to Hardy back in the 1930s: “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into”.
I mention this as I reflect on federal politics and local government, where that statement is no surprise and certainly not funny.
I am writing this after reading about the budget – being a baby boomer who tried to do his best with Old Mate for our family, working hard and going without things to make sure we are all good for retirement, and leaving something for our grandkids.
To say the feds have stuck it to baby boomers would be an understatement, but the thing that riles me the most is the blatant lying in regard to negative gearing and trust funds, leading up to the last election. It’s not so much the hip-pocket hurt but that we put up with the bullshit.
Now, before the other mob’s members say, “I told you so”, they are no better. Then, there is Pauline Hanson, who is gathering momentum because of the inadequacy of the big two. We may as well have Laurel and Hardy running the show.
Like One Nation, I don’t have a solution, either, but I do have one wish. Please, can we go back to a time when the government, when faced with troubling times, could agree with an idea from the opposition.
Then, the great unwashed would be represented properly by people who weren’t just worried about getting re-elected for another term. Call me naïve, but wouldn’t that be more effective?
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On effectiveness, our local council seems more focused on introducing new dog laws, without the staff to enforce them, than on keeping the beaches safe. If I’ve read it correctly, the council has very few local laws officers. So, its answer is to restrict dogs in even more places.
If there are that many unruly dogs and irresponsible owners, why not penalise the offenders rather than those doing the right thing? If the problem is as bad as claimed, wouldn’t local laws officers pay for themselves through fines?
Apparently, the council is waiting for new signage to go out. But I might add it still hasn’t fixed all the beach signage at Wurtulla about bathing reserves that are now mostly unmanned. Wow! An unruly dog owner versus people swimming unsupervised.
Laurel and Hardy were nearly right: what a nice mess we have got ‘ourselves’ into.
Ashley Robinson is Mets Caloundra CEO, chairman of Thunder Netball and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
