A sad day -- November, 10th

It never fails to amaze me when a democracy can get it so wrong, & scare tactics from a prime minister regarding "boat people" & the "war against terrorism" can take precedence over what really matters … equitable education, health & welfare policies.

Unfortunately, yesterday, the 10th of November we were extremely successful in electing a government which stands only for those among us who many be better off.

In terms of education alone, the Government has:

• Slashed one billion dollars from tertiary education since 1996.

• Raised the age for student financial assistance from 22 to 25.

• Supported student government assistance payments which are 37% below official poverty measures.

• Introduced a GST of 10% on textbooks, practical equipment & photocopying which students must purchase in order to participate in their education.

• Introduced upfront fees for post-graduate courses such that only students from rich families are privileged with post-graduate qualifications, desperately needed to obtain a secure job in today's society.

• Lowered the HECS threshold to below average weekly earnings, which means that thousands of students working part-time hobs are paying HECS whilst still trying to pass their degree.

• In 2004 the Howard government plans to allocate $22 billion to Australian schools; private schools will get $14.3 billion & state schools will receive $7.7 billion. That means that private schools that enrol only 30% of students will receive 65% of the funding. The 62 wealthiest private schools receive annual funding increases of over $800 000 each, whilst local sate schools receive ONLY increased of less than $4000.

• The above was cited in a Labour pamphlet, authorised by D. Henderson, Victoria.

I ask voters, where were your brains yesterday? Or did the Howard Government take them too, along with your right to live in an equitable country? There were low-income areas who voted Liberal majority throughout SA... WHY? You deserve better than to live in a nation which prizes only its upper income percentile stock.
 

The Liberal Party are an abomination. John Howard still can't even say sorry to the ASTI people. I feel wronged for how I've been treated by my own blood... I can't even begin to imagine a fraction of their suffering & pain, which has undoubtedly continued through the generations.
 

Support The Labour Party & The Democrats; thanks Tim Stanley (candidate for Adelaide) for trying to give the people what's justly theirs… please keep trying.
 

 
From the little person, who's proud of their public school education, struggles to live on a low income, and who stands for & believes in equity for all.
 
 

It's about time that the Fat Cat's shared their wealth; I do volunteer work… why can't you share some of your time & resources too? Our degree of compassion for those with less than us is shameful when compared to countries like the U.S.A. Get with the program folks.