Politics and Current Affairs this month covered many areas of the world’s ‘happenings’, from Ukraine, China, America, and Papua New Guinea to name a few.    We are very lucky to have Brian Vial in our group as he has had many years of contact with various people and has kept up with the history of Papua New Guinea.   Brian was able to clarify the situation about the elections being held currently in PNG.

The 6th January 2021 rebellion against voting results and subsequent invasion of the American Congress building by Trump supporters was also discussed. 
     
China’s interest in the future of Taiwan and America’s involvement and the ramifications of a proposed visit by Leader of the House, Nancy Pelosi, was another topic that was delved into.
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Both the upcoming State Election and the result of the recent Federal Parliamentary elections were included in our discussions, with the future of the Teals and Greens, as well as the Nationals, and their effects on Government of our country.

Politics is running as a masked group to ensure the safety of those who might otherwise fear to attend. Brian will be inviting the two PNG engineering students he supports to a future session. It will be good to see them again.


​Heather Wallace

Our group has explored many areas of politics during our sessions this month.   The Teals and how they would operate in Parliament – as a joint voice or as individuals as they presented to the electorate.    The loss of power by the Liberal Party and how they will attempt to recover from their defeat, will they attempt to move in a different political direction, when will they become an effective opposition party.

The current situation with the Aging population of Australia, the NDIS, the changes to the local Age providers following the withdrawal of Federal funding.

We also looked at American politics and way the country is being torn apart, with the recent Gun Legislation and the overturning the Abortion legislation Roe v Wade.

The British Parliament was also delved into, with Boris Johnson again surviving a vote of no confidence.

The terrible Ukrainian war that is currently taking place was also discussed in depth.

It was a very interesting month of politics.
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Heather Wallace

The group meeting prior to the Election discussed what could happen if there was a change of Government, how it may affect the general population of Australia and how each party was spreading their message, whether it be spending large amounts of money on advertising, door knocking, social media etc.
 
Our meeting following the election looked at how various seats had changed their political preferences, what effect the Independents and the Greens Party would have on the number of seats counted and if there isn’t a majority by the Labor Party, which was well in front of the Liberal/ National Party at this stage, what their actions could be in the future. 
  
We also re-looked at whether spending large amounts of money on advertising in preference to door knocking and personal contacting of constituents by various parties was effective.    This led to some interesting and stimulating discussion by members of the group.

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Heather Wallace

Due to Terry’s absence, Neville Gibb was the Convenor for the second session this month.   

Neville delved into the history of both China and Ukraine, explaining how this history was instrumental in the current conflict in Ukraine and also the current situation in the Solomon Islands and China.   

The current Federal election and how all parties were approaching their campaigns were also discussed.
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Heather Wallace

The pace is picking up towards polling day with some comment on the South Australian result. We also noted independent and female candidates and pondered what influence Clive Palmer may have.

We also considered medical inequities in rheumatic heart disease outcomes.

Of course, Ukraine took our attention with NATO's anxiety to avoid further escalation.
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Terry Case

We're into election mode, checking for reds under our beds and sharpening our wits to sift through the bulldust that might be coming our way. Perhaps tedious but a preferred way to decide a regime!

We wonder if there'll be more independents and hope that won't mean only those with millions to spare. 

Terry Case

Only one session was held in November, but it was filled with a variety of discussion topics as a lot has occurred in the world of politics during the lockdown period in Victoria.    Terry opened the discussion for members to participate to try and make sense of world, federal and state politics.    
 
Because of inherited distrust due to religious and voodoo practices in their region, our nearest neighbour, Papua New Guinea is currently in turmoil regarding the Covid-19 dilemma of vaccinations, etc and we are looking forward to hearing from Brian Vial regarding information he has on this matter at our last meeting for 2021 on the second Tuesday in December.
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Heather Wallace

The group met for the first time in many months in October to try and make sense of both the World and Australian politics and current affairs.    Many subjects were covered during the session in an effort to get a handle on Climate Change, the handling of Co-vid recovery, discussion on the demise of a Premier and its effects, the riots in Victoria, changes to legislation, and the handling of various issues by the Prime Minister.    We also discussed local government politics and its effects on the local community.

Please note that a meeting will not be held on Tuesday 23 November as the date falls on the day of the Christmas Lunch at Chrismont Winery.  There wil be two more meetings this year - Tuesday 9th November and Tuesday14th December.

Heather Wallace

Politics and Current Affairs will next meet on Tuesday 26th October 2021 at 10am in the U3A room at the Seniors Centre. Please note the change of venue.
 
Terry Case

Politics does not rest during the Co-vid lockdowns and our discussions covered the many changes taking place around the world.

Barnaby Joyce back in Cabinet as Leader of the National party is sure to cause some headaches for the Government with his forceful attitude to climate change, coal and water.    Should be interesting in the coming months!!!

The implications of the meeting at the recent G7 where Scott Morrison’s one on one meeting with US President Joe Biden became a three-way meeting which included Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnston was discussed.

The Government’s response (or lack of) to various crises that have occurred in the last few months, ie the Brittany Higgins sexual case, the former Attorney General’s case, the withdrawal of Job Seeker, etc. was also the subject of discussion.

The recent Victorian lockdown highlighted the effect on businesses and the mental health of the public.   Discussion regarding the lack of housing or accommodation was centred on its effects in the Benalla area.   It is reaching a crisis situation in Benalla with many people sleeping in cars, along the riverbanks and in parks, etc.   It was pointed out that many of these people were women.

The matter of Employer Paid Superannuation contributions was highlighted. Workers who are on salary packages which includes their Superannuation may find that they may have to contribute the incremental increase in employer contributions out of their salary.      Employers will cover the additional contributions as they currently do for employees whose superannuation is in addition to their weekly wages.

The current status of Covid in various countries around the world was also highlighted and the various ways individual governments were handling these outbreaks and the effects on the populations concerned discussed.

Heather Wallace

Can anyone help Scomo? He lost the immunisation targets. Where did he leave them? It's to the back of the queue... look over there! It's adman with a new campaign on consent. Oops! The fun bit about milkshakes upset the punters. What's next?  Biden's meeting - quick action needed. Steal or borrow a climate policy. Whew! Is it getting hot around here?  

​Terry Case

Recent events in Canberra dominated discussion at our last Politics and Current Affairs session.  Lots of discussion occurred relating to male / female relationships within the Political establishment.

We fleetingly discussed the visit to Benalla by the Deputy Prime Minister.
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Terry Case

Politics like many other groups is re-starting after the lengthy break in 2020. We'd missed a year of high political drama, but I think many were jut relieved to get back and have a chance to talk with others.

The last week was not without disgraceful behaviour in Federal parliament. Young women working as staff in ministerial offices have been raped. The PM announced a number of internal inquiries into “the culture” of the work-place. Why do we need an inquiry when laws have been broken? The young women were not protected by their employers, who are both Federal Ministers. They did not ensure their staff worked in a safe workplace, which is mandated by law.
Whilst it is good to see the inquiry will be a multi-party affair, the P.M. did not it not offer to make the report public.  It will require on going pressure to ensure the staffers get the same protection of the law as they would expect in any other work place. There is no place for blaming the victims.

The week ended with Liberal MP Craig Kelly resigning from the liberal Party for his anti Vax messages and failing to support Governments policies, despite requests from the PM for him to follow the party line.

Not a great week in politics!
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Terry Case

We plan to resume the dissect local, state, federal and world affairs this year at Cooinda's Hub as this will enable us to comply with Covid-19 social distancing regulations.  . 

Classes, held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 midday, wil begin on Tuesday  9th February.  The Cooinda Hub is in Jean Lee Drive of the Cooinda Village - there is a sign to it at about the midpoint as you drive through the main thoroughfare of the village.  

Terry Case  0417 621 700

Where to begin after another eventful month in politics?   Of course, by the time we eventually re-start classes politics will have become mundane and I will be scratching around for topics.

During the recent S.A. shut-down the Premier took a swipe at hotel quarantine as being a major problem. Federal colleagues did not criticize him as they had Dan Andrews, was the difference that S.A. is a Liberal Government?

S.A. wants Quarantine stations to be opened, will the Feds support such a move to deal with the large numbers that Morrison wants to return home for home for Christmas?  Of course not, but we cannot risk another outbreak from hotel quarantine, so what is being done to improve the system?  Dan’s practical suggestion for security guards to have adequate pay and sick leave might make quarantine safer.

The people of S.A. were relieved to be out of their brief lock-down, but refugees remain in indefinite detention, yet have not been charged with any crime, what hope have they been offered?

Robo-debt was solved on the morning of the scheduled biggest class action trial in Australian history. This came after months of blocking, the government agreed to pay $112 million in compensation and legal costs, too late for those who suicided as they became overwhelmed with the harassment to repay debts they had not incurred.  The $112 million was money well spent to save the P.M. having to give evidence about a program he was responsible for as a Minister, and as  PM.  Was it coincidence he flew out that day to Japan and avoided questions from the press?

Continuing legal topics, Palmer lost his border challenge against Western Australia. If he had won, it would have created a constitutional crisis and possibly dented the W.A. budget.

The American Presidential election saw Kamala Harris become the first woman to become a Vice President, a huge step for American democracy. Despite fears of a mass rebellion there was little violence and this morning I heard Trump had cleared the charges against Mike Flynn, another sign he has capitulated.
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We will re-start classes in 2021.  There will probably timetable changes, so do check the newsletter.

Terry Case