Sensational-Adelaide.com

Tony Abbott's obsession with building more roads is dangerously misguided
It has only taken three months in government, but already Tony Abbott is re-animating the tired old intergovernmental blame game – this time over public transport.

Politicians who lack the vision to lead the community on big issues like public transport often hide their inaction by blaming other levels of government when anyone complains. Former prime minister John Howard was a grand master of the blame game: he withdrew health and education funding, and pointed his finger at state governments when anyone dared to ask about the inadequacy of those services.

Now, so soon after being elected, Abbott and his team are feverishly laying the groundwork for a new round in order to conceal their absurd refusal to invest in urban public transport. As one of the most urbanised nations on earth, Australia has an economic interest in ensuring our cities have 21st century urban rail transport to reduce traffic congestion. Less cars on the road means productivity and jobs growth, as it allows for the more efficient movement of goods and services and encourages greater urban population density.

But Abbott, in an extraordinary abdication of responsibility, says public transport is the concern of state governments while the Commonwealth should “stick to its knitting’’ and build more roads.

Putting all of this together, it is clear states either cannot or will not invest in public transport without partnership contributions from the Commonwealth. And since we know that Abbott won’t invest in anything except roads, the prospects for advancement of a public transport agenda are dim at best.

What a tragedy.

claybro wrote:Sorry Dog, you miss public sentiment....One wonders what government debt would be had the former goevernment continued on its merry way.... Also with regards to boat people....ditto. No credibility on either.

further...the educated debate should not be on keeping a list of the current governments broken promises..rather if ever increasing debt and illegal immigrants are good. or bad for Australia as a whole. Most beleive on those points, the former government has NO credibility, and the current government is still "jury to decide"

Dog wrote:"liberal Senator Cory Bernardi hits out at step families" well Mr perfect if you are going to get all moral on us, you probably need to have a good look at your own lifestyle, Is a father living a single life in Canberra for a good part of the year any more conducive to good family life?


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Waewick wrote:Perhaps parliament needs to be more accessible and let Cory work from home

Nathan wrote:

Waewick wrote:Perhaps parliament needs to be more accessible and let Cory work from home

But that would mean he'd be in Adelaide more.

Waewick wrote:

Dog wrote:"liberal Senator Cory Bernardi hits out at step families" well Mr perfect if you are going to get all moral on us, you probably need to have a good look at your own lifestyle, Is a father living a single life in Canberra for a good part of the year any more conducive to good family life?


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are you suggesting he shouldn't be a politician because he is also a father?

Perhaps parliament needs to be more accessible and let Cory work from home

Dog wrote:

Waewick wrote:

Dog wrote:"liberal Senator Cory Bernardi hits out at step families" well Mr perfect if you are going to get all moral on us, you probably need to have a good look at your own lifestyle, Is a father living a single life in Canberra for a good part of the year any more conducive to good family life?


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are you suggesting he shouldn't be a politician because he is also a father?

Perhaps parliament needs to be more accessible and let Cory work from home

Cory Bernardi can do what he wants as far as I am concerned and I have no problem with him taking a moral stand on abortion as a personal issue, but I find him a bit hypocritical moralising about the lives of others including step parents when, as a federal politician he would hardly ever be at home. Also he is happy to argue away the penalty rates of low paid workers when he is on over $195,000 and eligible for more taxpayer funded perks than you can poke a stick at!


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Waewick wrote:Politicans seems to be very good at increasing their own income

monotonehell wrote:Even the Liberal Party are ashamed of him. He's already been back-benched, next he'll be running as an independent.

metro wrote:

monotonehell wrote:Even the Liberal Party are ashamed of him. He's already been back-benched, next he'll be running as an independent.

Years ago, you could have said the same thing about Tony Abbott, and he's the Prime Minister now. I believe the brain-dead masses of Australian voters will elect someone like Cory Bernardi to be PM one day.

metro wrote:

monotonehell wrote:Even the Liberal Party are ashamed of him. He's already been back-benched, next he'll be running as an independent.

Years ago, you could have said the same thing about Tony Abbott, and he's the Prime Minister now. I believe the brain-dead masses of Australian voters will elect someone like Cory Bernardi to be PM one day.

Waewick wrote:...Abbott isn't Bernardi...