Category
The Missing Question From Opinion Polls
It seems there is a question missing from opinion polls. Instead of asking whether the electorate prefers Gillard or Abbott I propose another option – “neither”.
There is no love lost between the public and their elected representatives. This is not so much on a personal level, but on a public one. Those people that have met their local representative regard them very highly. In person they come across as lovely people, intelligent, inspiring, warm and personable. But relatively few people have experienced their local member in person.
Toddler Pageants Raise Ire
Last week I wrote about the proposed ban on junk food advertising and consumer resentment at the nanny state. Today I write about the exact opposite, an area where Australian’s want more laws, regulations and bans to be put in place.
This issue is very topical with the rumoured staging in Australia of a children’s beauty pageant. Not so much a cute baby contest, which most people see as harmless enough, but an adult like beauty contest, only featuring little kids. It’s the stuff you might have seen on the program Toddler in Tiaras.
Beyond Nuclear Families
We are very conscious in Australia about minorities, their rights and their sense of inclusion. We have come a long way in recognising the special needs of those from non-English speaking backgrounds or people living with disabilities for example.
So it is lamentable that there are so many other groups who feel like a minority despite their numbers being so significant. Our latest research study, Beyond Nuclear Families, demonstrates that shared custody parents are a prime example.
The boat on climate change action has been missed (for now)
It wasn’t so long ago that Australians gave the government a mandate to act on climate change. The back flipping and debate that have followed have meant that for now at least traction has been lost.