A letter to Bill Shorten, Richard Di Natale, Independents, Senate Cross-benchers (and recalcitrant Backbenchers)

You did NOT win the election. The Liberal National Coalition did. Granted, it was by the slimmest of margins but, it doesn’t  change the fact, you lost, they won. 

As for the recalcitrant Backbenchers, whilst you were on the winning side take a hint, this applies to you as well. Stop acting like the opposition. 

Now to put it into simple words. That means the majority of  Australian voters, voted for key initiatives to be actioned. 

We voted for the Sex Marriage plebiscite. If the decision is yes, then the Government is duty bound to   action. 

We voted for Superannuation reform as per the policy presented. That isn’t to say all of us are thrilled by some Of the proposed changes. But, those of us with an ounce of intelligence understand we have a problem and we all need to contribute to fixing it. 

We voted for Budget repairs as per the policies presented. 

We voted for the reintroduction of the ABCC. 

If the electorate truly believes they got it wrong then it's up to the electorate to change it at the next election. It is not up to you. It's our decision. You are OUR servants we elect you we pay you we fire you. Now it's your responsibility to make sure  the will of the majority of people is acted upon. Just DO IT. 

Stop the politics, stop the argy bargy and get on with supporting the decisions and getting this country moving again. I am sick and tired of the posturing, the grandstanding, the ego trips the power plays and, the “this is what I want utterances.” Being a politician does not grant you cart-blanch to force your will upon the majority. I would “bet London to a brick” I’m not the only who thinks as I do. 

As for the voters who ad nauseam bleat on about the Government is this, the Government that. The Government is composed of people other people elected. If you aren’t happy with the collective mix blame the people who put them there. Stop the whinging. 

The bottomline is this. Politicians work for us, start doing your job. That means implementing the decisions of the majority. If that requires minor adjustments fine, but blocking this, blocking that to flex your muscles is most certainly NOT. Senators, you sit in  a house of review. You are not the Government. It's your role to ensure the Government delivers what they promised.  By all means argue for your pet initiatives but holding an elected Government to ransom to get your way is not on.  

Voters if we as a collective have delivered the wrong result; Government and policy mix  that's our fault. We better lift our game, educate ourselves and do a better job next time. But when I see an Essential Poll which highlights even now on key issue after key issue 40% don’t have an opinion, that tells me a lot of people need remedial instruction and urgently. 

Rant over. 

Give Nick Xenophon the BIG X

According to a poll conducted by the CFMEU, Nick Xenophon may pick up another seat in South Australia. In the interest of good government this concerns me greatly. Because if we end up with a hung parliament Nick Xenophon along with the Greens will hold the balance of power. 

Xenophon is campaigning on a platform to force governments to buy Australian-made products. I suspect most people are OK with this in principle however, cost and supply are often issues. Theory sounds great, practice is often more difficult. 

He is also campaigning for a crackdown on predatory gambling and more government transparency. Once again nothing to be too concerned about with this. But dig into his policies and the alarm bells ring loudly and clearly. 

This is Xenophon's position on dual citizen Australian terrorists. Why in heavens name should tax payers have to carry the cost of bringing terrorists back here to convert others to their cause?

Xenophon will substantially increase childcare payments. Cost? Who would know.

Xenophon will add billions to our budget cost by increasing foreign aid and he will significantly increase our annual refugee intake. 

Xenophon's position on renewable energy targets and an ETS.

If Xenophon secures the balance of power he will be working with Labor and the Greens to implement these policies because most of them are in sync with Labor's and the Greens playbook. A vote for Xenophon is a vote for Labor and Greens.  Remember he also wants to rip up our Trade Agreements hence restrict our export opportunities and damage our relationship with our major trading partners in Asia Pacific.