We Have A Gang Problem - Why Can’t We Admit It?

We have a gang problem in Melbourne. Yet, we have a reluctance on behalf of the Police to define the problem as gang related. We have a community leader justifying criminal behaviour as kids just being kids. 

People are not stupid and whilst they may not also believe the written word it’s very hard to deny the videos that have been widely shared of street gangs and criminal activity. 

The latest episode a few days ago prompted Detective Inspector Pannell to say “I wouldn't call them a gang, no, they're a collective group of individuals who know each other.” That is PC garbage. Perhaps DI Pannell should familiarise himself with the dictionary.  

DEFINITION GANG: a group of persons working to unlawful or antisocial ends; especially: a band of antisocial adolescents. 

I don’t get hung up on words because far too often they’re used as attack weapons. But in this case I’m making an exception. A group of 100 people coming together to fight = gangs. Groups of people invading houses and places of business to assault and rob = gangs. Groups of people invading a house party = gangs. They are not collectives they are gangs. 

Even more alarming are comments made by the Federation of South Sudanese Associations chairman Kenyatta Dei Wal. He said the youths’ behaviour was “the kind of thing that most young people do”. '(It was) young people who are just behaving as young people and making stupid choices,' he said. 'There's nothing significant about it.' 

That’s an appalling thing for a community leader to say. These thugs were fighting, hurling rocks and abusing police. They also damaged a police car smashing windows. Police told locals to stay inside and lock their doors for their own safety. That’s not young people making stupid choices. 

So no Mr Dei Wal that is NOT the ‘kind of thing’ young people do in Australia. 

From all accounts most those taking part in the criminal gang behaviour are Australian born of Sudanese heritage. With views like Kenyatta Dei Wal I can understand why these thugs run riot. No control, no discipline and, community leaders failing to set acceptable standards.

Whilst police and community leaders trivialize gang behaviour in not calling it out for what it is or not charging offenders they’re basically saying the behaviour is OK. Whilst community leaders write it off as kids being kids they are also doing these young people a disservice. People in authority should be setting the example, making expectations clear and ensuring appropriate punishment for offenders. In other words helping these young people to become responsible adults. 

If you mention the word Sudanese, you risk being labelled a racist. Well, if questioning the behaviour of some groups within our society makes me a racist so be it. If we believe in the right to express an opinion about things that concern us then we must continue to fight for that right.  

I don’t believe all people of different races are bad or inferior. I am very deliberate in my communication not to condemn on mass which doesn’t always please true racists. But, that doesn’t alter the fact that some groups within specific races are bad and that includes groups within my country Australia. 

When I state Australian born youths of Sudanese background running riot is not acceptable, that’s a fact. The vast majority are of that background and it’s certainly NOT acceptable. We don’t see gangs of white Australian born or Chinese, Malay or Indian Australian born (as an example) youths running riot, bashing, robbing or terrorising people. 

In fact we don’t see gangs of youths of Sudanese background running riot in any other capital city either. This is a specific problem to Melbourne and the Sudanese community in Melbourne. We must be given the right and the freedom to ask why that is & what is going to be done to fix it. I don’t consider that racist. 

Energy Is A State Responsibility .... but ....

The National Energy Guarantee passed the first hurdle today with COAG agreeing to refer the proposal to the LNP party room next week. The knockers are out in force as we’ve come to expect. 

Whilst many choose to ignore it State Govt’s are responsible for the provision and distribution of energy. We wouldn’t be faced with the problems we have now  if they had acted more responsibly. This is not new it’s been in the making for many years but the chickens have now come home to roost. As a result, it has forced the Federal Govt to take a much larger leadership role. 

Past Federal governments have also been remiss in not stepping in earlier to (1) manage decisions made of suppliers & state governments in shutting down power stations without the required replacement services to bridge the gap  (2) to balance decisions driven by state governments who are pushing for unreliable green solutions (3) to control increasing costs because of supplier manipulation of the market (4) to bring suppliers, regulators and major users to the table in the national interest (5) to deliver consistency of approach and certainty to the market in locking the states into an agreement  (6) to make sure we can continue to attract the right investment for the right solutions to meet our current and our future needs. 

Whilst many will not give the current government credit it does not change the fact that the government is trying to do this. They have consulted with industry experts and interested parties and they have presented the NEG based on that consultation. Whether we agree or not they are also endeavouring to deliver on the commitment made on our behalf by both Tony Abbott in committing to a target and ratified by Malcolm Turnbull to reduce our carbon emissions. Whilst the NEG has detractors it has far more supporters. 

Josh Frydenberg has worked tirelessly in moving the NEG forward. He must feel like he’s herding cats whilst dodging his own parties sniper bullets most of the time. But he never lets his professional guard slip all credit to him. It would have been great to have the states sign-off today but he achieved the next best thing. Next hurdle the LNP party room. That’s when we will see those who are committed to the our future or wedded to their thirst for revenge. Roll on next week. 

Let Them Eat Cake OR Who Really Helps Provide The Cake

This cartoon was doing the rounds today. Many conservatives were among those posting on social media. I suppose we can all have a chuckle but in reality it’s dishonest when you think about it. The peasants, the forgotten people down below with the rich; the banks, big business and the Prime Minister looking down on them with scorn.

I don’t suppose it’s dawned on the peasants that the banks, big business and the Prime Minister are not their enemies. In fact, without them the peasants would be far worse off. How many people would have home loans and live in their own homes if it weren’t for banks? How many people wouldn’t have jobs if it weren’t for banks and big business employing them? How many people working in industries and businesses who supply to big business and banks also wouldn’t have jobs? How many people who work in industries who rely on banks for finance wouldn’t have jobs? Whilst interest rates are lower than many of us desire, people still rely on those interest rates to build wealth. How many people build wealth through direct share investment and via superannuation investment in banks and big business? The collective number is millions of Australians.

I’ve never heard anyone say I want the handouts but I’ll refuse them if banks and big business have helped to give them. I wonder how many people would miss out if it weren’t for banks and big business? I’m guessing the number runs into thousands of Australians.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the less than desirable aspects of the banking industry that have emerged from the RC. We should all be concerned about that and demand it be fixed. But that doesn’t change the fact that banks and big business are not the enemy. So knock for all it’s worth but think how different life would be without the jobs they offer, the investments they make, the tax revenue they contribute, the wealth they help create.

Last point immigration. It’s an emotive and vexing issue. But I think there is confusion with respect to immigration and refugees and that clouds judgement. The problems we all hear about coming out of Melbourne with African gangs hurts. That problem must be addressed and those attacking people who demand it is, must to get their blasted heads out of the sand, stop the racist accusations and deal with the reality. You can’t fix a problem if you won’t admit it exists.

I believe I’m safe in saying most people would prefer to see less immigration. Reasons are many and varied. What is cut is key? Having said that, we shouldn’t ignore the massive contribution immigrants have made and continue to make to this country. We are a nation built on immigration. India and China are the source of the bulk of immigration into Australia and those people are productive and contribute; tax and expenditure as do thousands of others.

So back to the cartoon. Banks, big business and the Government are not the enemy of the people. To quote a piece from Paul Kelly’s piece in the Australian today which sums it up, “But there is a further truth. The idea that Australia can endure an uncompetitive company tax system without damage to investment, growth and jobs is untenable.” Banks are one of those big businesses. The challenge is balancing the need to keep big business competitive. Then to manage that with responsible immigration and the ever increasing demands of people. Frankly, Conservatives should be standing up for business not joining the ranks of the opposition in trying to undermine them. But of course now politics is more about targeting personality and wealth association rather than applying good reasoning, fairness and what’s in the best interest of the country.