Leaked emails raise big issues with funding of Liberal Party
Included in the recent leaked emails of Philip Higginson, honorary treasurer of the Liberal Party of Australia, were comments to the effect that he was about to visit America to raise tens of millions in donations for the Liberal Party, and that this had been discussed with the Prime Minister ("Trouble in Abbott's camp", February 24, p1). This matter seems to have escaped public attention. The questions need to be asked as to why election funds for the federal Liberal Party are being raised in America, from whom, and what is being offered to American donors, if anything, to persuade them to donate to election funding for the Liberal Party of Australia?
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What would motivate American donors to donate to the electoral coffers of the Liberals? The last return (2013-14) lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission shows no donations at all to the federal Liberal Party from any American sources. Hearings before ICAC in NSW in 2014 elicited the information that illegal developer (and other) donations were being funnelled through shadow federal Liberal Party-controlled organisations (such as the Free Enterprise Foundation) so as to circumvent NSW electoral funding laws.
So far, 10 NSW Liberal MPs have been obliged to resign over these and other matters. Emails were also produced in the NSW ICAC hearings that indicated the federal director of the Liberal Party, Brian Loughnane, was aware of these matters.
It is disturbing and informative that Higginson has now felt obliged to forthrightly raise his concerns as to the transparency, accountability and the withholding from himself of vital financial information relative to his role as honorary treasurer of the Liberal Party. This is an extraordinary step for Higginson to take.
The Liberal Party has a "history" of trying to hide political donations through third-party bodies. As well as the "Free Enterprise Foundation" mentioned above, the "Greenfield Foundation", the "Millennium Forum" and the "Federal Forum" also spring to mind.
Indeed, there is still a "loan" of $3.55million shown as outstanding by the federal Liberal Party to the Greenfield Foundation, dating back to 1999. A loan, or political donations the federal Liberal Party and individuals and companies wished to keep secret?
It has clearly reached the point that there needs to be an ICAC-type investigation into exactly what is happening with the operations, finances and donations to the federal Liberal Party. Donations to political parties are matters of significant public interest. What is the Liberal Party of Australia seeking to hide?
Rob King, Melba
Time to leave the tent
With due respect, Tony Abbott, now it is time for Cap'n Combat to show true leadership and real courage: either fall on the sword now or leave the tent and be away for some time. Your nation needs you to do this; soon, very soon.
Richard Lamb, Farrer
Disorder diagnosed
In response to the editorial "Abbott's end: how did it come to this?" (canberratimes.com.au February 28), Tony Abbott appears to have a classic case of narcissistic personality disorder (as did Kevin Rudd). Hence the problem of both their demises.
Jan Gulliver, Lyneham
No role for Credlin
For years we have been told only two things are certain: death and taxes. Now there is another. If Malcolm Turnbull becomes prime minister, Peta Credlin will not be his chief of staff.
Ken Brazel, Weston
A very sorry world
It's remarkable lately how many people are calling on other people to apologise. Visit the letter columns of your and other newspapers; read the blogs and commentaries; or watch journalists on TV tripping along the footpath with microphone thrust determinedly in someone's face; they are all demanding apologies. If all these demands were met, the air would be thick with apologies, a sort of universal apologia.
We would do better to take to heart the words of General Sir Harry Smith, writing, in part, his own epitaph in 1844: "I never fought a duel, and only once made a man an apology, although I am as hot a fellow as the world produces ..."
Mistakes will be made because that is part of human nature, but what's done is done, so forget the apologies and get on with it. Naturally, I apologise for writing this letter.
John Robbins, Farrer
Impartiality essential
In the true Westminster tradition practised in the British House of Commons, the newly elected Premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has appointed an independent MP, Peter Wellington, to be the Speaker of the House.
The present Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, is a member of the Liberal Party and attends all Liberal Party meetings. How can she be impartial as Speaker – and does she even try?
Brian Millett, Yass, NSW
RET impasse infuriating
Crispin Hull was up to his usual high standard with his article "Disaster as usual in the face of the eye of the storm" (Forum, February 28, p2). Yes, it's in everyone's interest to move away from a fossil-fuel economy to one based on renewable energy. That is why it is so infuriating that the federal government continues the uncertainty over the renewable energy target, refusing to budge from its bargaining position of no more than 33,000gigawatt-hours of renewable energy by 2020, instead of the formerly bipartisan target of 41,000 gigawatt-hours.
As a consequence of this uncertainty, investment in renewables has stalled. Greg Hunt should divest himself of his title of Environment Minister because he seems hell-bent on destroying the environment through climate change. New legislation will put the Climate Change Authority under his control and we may assume it will be emasculated.
Jenny Goldie, Michelago, NSW
Find root of the crisis
Recently outgoing chief minister Katy Gallagher publicly identified a system-wide crisis of bullying in the ACT public sector.
I note that the ACT premium for Comcare now approaches $100million a year ("Territory ditches troubled insurer", February 26, p1), largely stemming from ongoing cases of psychological injury.
The Labor government's attempt to address this crisis is to look for an economic solution by exiting Comcare and to demonise those genuine workplace victims who are unable to return to largely unredeemed and unsafe workplaces.
I, for one, have no confidence in the ACT government and their failure to recognise and appropriately deal with this crisis in a reasonable manner. I am not alone. The ACT needs a government that will address the cause of this crisis, not abet it by shunning responsibility and reacting to symptoms.
Mike Fitzgerald, Ballymore, Co Kerry, Ireland
Look at Sydney
Once upon a time, in an Australian city not too distant from Canberra, the state government started an infrastructure project that was considered unaffordable and ill-timed. It created huge debt, which was not paid off until 56 years after it was completed. Its construction spanned a major economic downturn, and it contributed to the sacking of a premier. That infrastructure was the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and modern Sydney would be inconceivable without it.
The Canberra light rail project faces the same problems and criticisms that all major infrastructure projects encounter, because the costs are short-term, financial and easily quantifiable, but the benefits are economic, long-term and easily disputed. The light rail network has the capacity to transform Canberra. It will enable a new approach to public transport.
Light rail would never be built if the analysis were to be confined to a narrow cost focus, but neither would almost any other significant piece of public infrastructure. But in the broader economic context, the question is can we afford not to build it?
Tony Judge, Belconnen
Piecemeal fixes
It's good to see the issue of Queanbeyan's Ellerton Drive extension being aired in the Canberra Times ("Wildlife advocates slam plan for bypass", February 25, p5) because it is obviously an issue that involves the ACT.
While meaningful traffic-flow data has been conspicuously absent in the public debate so far, a large proportion of Queanbeyan traffic originates or terminates in the ACT and can only be addressed with full and effective consultation between the jurisdictions.
A local council does not have the financial capacity or the clout to deal with major cross-border issues, particularly when some of the options for improving traffic flow in and through the Queanbeyan CBD involve roads (for example, the "northern bypass" through Oaks Estate), which are entirely within the ACT.
If the Queanbeyan council is trying to limit the debate, and the solution, to options over which it has total control, then the outcome is likely to be a white elephant – an expensive road that some people may use simply because it is there, but which does not address the real issues.
Kerry Kennedy, Queanbeyan, NSW
Barton Highway
When will the government bite the bullet and duplicate the Barton Highway, one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in our region? Burgeoning numbers of rural commuters fill the highway, mixing it up with B-double trucks inches from bumpers travelling at over 100km/h. The answer seems to be "Bandaid" measures like the Jeir Creek improvements, McIntosh Circuit intersection and Kaveneys Road passing lane.
The Jeir Bandaid is already being repaired due to subsidence and the Kaveneys Road passing lane is subsiding just months after its opening. How much waste of taxpayers' money and regular road fatalities (like the one outside our front gate) does it take before the "infrastructure government" takes notice? The only lasting solution to this dangerous road is duplication, as originally planned and promised more than a decade ago.
Bob Furbank, Murrumbateman, NSW
Christmas Island
As the author of a history of Christmas Island (Suffering through Strength, 2011), I wish to comment on Jon Stanhope's letter (February 25) about prostitution on Christmas Island during the Japanese occupation.
When they occupied the island on March 31, 1942, the Japanese military no doubt expected to have the services of the Chinese women of the White House, the island brothel. However, all the women had attached themselves to leading Chinese men in the community and pretended to be married.
With the assistance of a Chinese collaborator, the women were forced back into the brothel, but their reluctance led to a number of very attractive Javanese girls being tricked into coming to Christmas Island after answering a "Teachers wanted" advertisement in the newspaper. They were forced to become prostitutes.
The Javanese brothel operated for about 18 months. In December 1943, the Japanese sent almost two-thirds of the island population, including the Javanese girls, to Surabaya, in Java. In 1946 and 1947, some of the Javanese women returned to Christmas Island as the wives of Christmas Island coolies and became the respectable mothers of large families. I am not aware of any request for an apology by these women.
From its annexation on June 6, 1888, Christmas Island was administered by Britain. On October 1, 1958, it became an Australian external territory. It is difficult to see what direct stake Australia has in an apology by the Japanese government for events that occurred before Australia took control. To say that the Commonwealth has neglected the wartime events on Christmas Island is more than a little unfair.
When my book was launched, staff of the Territories Office in Canberra and the then administrator, Brian Lacy, along with present and former Christmas Island residents, were happy to have the truthful story told.
John Hunt, Kaleen
Bans don't work
Joe Murphy (Letters, February 28) suggests that we ban smoking because of the harm it does. Banning things doesn't work, which is why we have an ongoing drug problem. Making it unfashionable and "uncool" is having a very beneficial effect in driving down the rate at which people take up smoking and its working.
George Beaton, Greenway
Family lifestyle key to health of children
I think Helen Kinmonth's suggestion (Letters, February 21) about GPs and parents going "directly to other non-stigmatising risk factors such as family food and physical activity" to keep their children healthy are, in fact, at the heart of our Connect Up 4 Kids program. We know that parents care about the health of their children.
As a GP, I can't stress enough the importance of prevention: if children develop healthy habits early, it can reduce their risk of chronic disease later on in life. The majority of this program will be delivered through general practice and will focus on educating parents and children about a healthy lifestyle. This means that when families come to their "healthcare home" they can be confident to receive information and support that they trust from a multidisciplinary team. This population-wide approach to a healthy lifestyle will empower families to achieve a healthy weight. As part of the program, the general practice team will promote seven key positive lifestyle messages to all families with children aged three to seven, such as move your body, switch off screens and munch on veg.
Parents may choose to only focus on one at a time, but we know small positive changes can make a difference in the long run. General practice will receive continued education, upskilling opportunities and a toolkit of resources. The program will also create clear pathways for GPs to refer parents and their children on to appropriate follow-up services when required. As the ACT's chief primary healthcare organisation, ACT Medicare Local commends the ACT government's commitment to supporting a healthy, active and productive community, and has made it a priority to address the challenging levels of obesity, particularly amongst children.
Dr Martin Liedvogel, chairman, ACT Medicare
TO THE POINT
The Canberra Times wants to hear from you in short bursts. Email views in 50 words or fewer to letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au
WAR MEMORIAL PARTIES
Like most people I thought the Australian War Memorial was established to honour the gallant men and women who gave their lives serving their country not a place where the merchants of death (mostly foreign) meet to promote the latest in killing machines ("Defence firms party at war memorial", February 27, p3). It doesn't speak well of the keepers of the flame.
Herschel Hurst, Farrer
HAS HE READ IT?
If Greg O'Regan (Letters, February 27) has evidence from the Forgotten Children report that supports a view that it is partisan, he should quote it. Or has he, like Senator MacDonald, not bothered read the report before attacking it?
Michael Carmody, Weston
CENSUS VALUE QUERIED
Who should we believe regarding the "value of the Census"? Generations of highly respected Australian statisticians or an Abbott government-appointed social policy economist who has warmed the seat for three months?
Phil O'Brien, Flynn
RENDER THEM IN 3D
Every time an ugly concrete building is up for heritage listing there is a debate. Why not 3D render the buildings inside and out and then the debatable benefits of these structures can be seen for evermore on computers not only in Canberra but around the world and without the mould, decay, vandalism that will inevitably occur to the real thing. We can then make some progress and knock them down.
Jevon Kinder, Murrumbateman, NSW
LET ME KEEP IT
The Abbott government's goal of 2per cent inflation is a 2per cent tax on superannuation savings each and every year. Is not that enough?
No, the government now wants to increase the tax on money going into superannuation savings. Do away with the superannuation con, and let me keep what I earn.
Bruce A. Peterson, Kambah
NO EQUALITY EVIDENT
One only has to look at the the recent court cases of Peter Slipper and Craig Thomson to see how politicians, the most privileged and entitled amongst us, are able to use legal process to escape punishments which the rest of us would have to endure. No equality evident here.
Ric Hingee, Duffy
NO UNDERSTANDING
Which part of the word "innocent" doesn't Neil James (Letters, March 2) get?
Marilyn Shepherd, Angaston, SA
Keep your letter to 250 words or less. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published).
Correction: An earlier version of these letters to the editor incorrectly named Craig Emerson in relation to recent court cases. The writer was referring to court cases involving Peter Slipper and Craig Thomson.