Bernardi: Rudd’s honesty and integrity are under question
Cory Bernardi Kevin Rudd’s honesty and integrity are under question. Not just by the Federal Opposition but by an increasing number of Australians who are waking up to the fact that what Mr Rudd says is not always consistent with actual events.
One could attribute this variability to Mr Rudd’s confusion about his true beliefs and philosophical position. Remember, this was the man who began as a Christian Socialist, through political convenience became an economic conservative and then morphed into an anti-capitalist social democrat.
One can only imagine how tortured these conversions must have been for him as he relentlessly plotted to become Prime Minister without any core philosophical beliefs.
But in giving Mr Rudd the benefit of the doubt rather than simply accusing him of grubby political opportunism, there are other glaring inconsistencies in Mr Rudd’s words.
It is alarming when the Australian public can no longer rely on the statements of our Prime Minister. There are a few examples that immediately spring to mind.
Mr Rudd promised that no Australian worker would be worse off as a result of his industrial relations changes when he introduced them to Parliament last year. Last week he refused to give that same guarantee as the litany of employees and employers disadvantaged by the IR changes came to light.
Mr Rudd also promised that families would receive compensation for the increases in the cost of living as a result of his massive tax on everything – the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). As the light of parliamentary scrutiny has shone more brightly on this deeply flawed policy, Mr Rudd and his senior ministers haven’t been able to explain why some people will be substantially worse off as a result of the ETS.
He has also failed to answer a raft of questions regarding the consequences of the ETS which makes one wonder just what the Government has been doing while working on this massive new tax and restructure of the Australian economy for the past two years?
If they can’t answer simple questions, what hope have the rest of us got in trying to understand the complex and inefficient ETS?
Most recently, Labor MP Belinda Neal has refuted Mr Rudd’s claim that he insisted she have anger management counselling in 2008. One of them is clearly not telling the truth. Either Mr Rudd did direct Ms Neal to undergo anger management counselling or he did not.
Given the track record of assurances and promises that Mr Rudd has made in the past for political expediency, we would be wise to question the substance behind the Prime Minister’s claims.
These are just some of the matters that are causing the Australian public to question the character of the man who, it appears, will say anything and do anything to further his personal ambition.
Little wonder an increasing number of Australians no longer trust what they are told by our Prime Minister.
Cory Bernardi is a South Australian Liberal senator. His columns and essays are available at his website.
And to Bush bunny, I wish I could see you comments more often – you seem to be able to see the right from wrong. Thats very unusual for this website!
You know Ben there is such people that are Christian socialists – I am one!
I don’t think the coalition have done enough either! Certainly over this
ETS debacle. Certain politicians have tried like Barnaby Joyce etc.,
but Malcolm Turnbull? He is a disgrace in my opinion
Check out http:// http://www.cecaust.com.au and go to “Goldman Sachs’ Turnbull
dances to British carbon trading tune…’ 29th October 2009.
He’s only interested re this climate change debacle, in making sure ETS taxes are implemented to protect his or his like’s investments in Carbon Credit Trading Investments. They are plumetting right now? And might
become a South Sea bubble in the not too near future if no ETS taxes are
implemented by global governments. It won’t do anything but put up prices for consumers and won’t do anything to reduce CO2 emissions. Not that they are effecting climate change anyway!
That’s not acting on behalf of the Australian citizen, just those investors
around the world who look like losing billions in CCT investments.
Nothing to do with Saving the Planet!
I think the ALP government have gone along with the global investments
drop, and have done their best to abate its impact on or for Australians. He has been conned with as some suggest with the thoughts to inflate global identity for Australia on the lines – I don’t approve of. Climate change belief and Republicanism. We are a crowned republic…don’t try to change it because it has worked well, and to change it would suggest we could become a politician’s republic, when a PM could dismiss a President, that our present constitution can not do.
We have an executive ‘Head of State’ in the Governor General, Head of the Commonwealth of Australia, we have Head of State[s] referring to
the individual State Governors whose constitutional extra powers could
but are not or cannot, dismiss a parliament. Unless there is a serious
constitutional crisis like Kerr had facing him, like the senate refused to
authorise supply… stop the cheques being paid for essential services. OK!
Such as the NSW governor was faced with when the media ran a poll
kick out the NSW ALP government. Well Christine Keneally saved the NSW
ALP face for now. She has a delightful persona, even though she has
a dual nationality being American born. I just don’t think she will save the
ALP in the next election, but the coalition has to bring more out to convince
voters, they are better to govern the state, as Mr Rudd will have to do to
continue to govern the Federal government. Only time will tell, who brings
out the bigger rabbit out of the HAT?
I think Mr Rudd means well, now don’t shout me down, I honestly believe this. But he took on too many promises that have be flawed. And supporting in theory this Save the Planet by implementing an ETS tax is
useless. The Climate Change saga is built on false data, and purely
to inflate the value of Carbon Credit Trading investments.
Just an example he increased the pensioner’s pension. Not by much, he
took away $500 utility allowance usually paid at $125 per 3 months. And the telephone allowance I think mine was $30 every three months. (I’m on internet) I got $1400 in late 2008, then $950 in Feb 2009 because I am
an re-enrolled TAFE student. And on a disability support pension. I get paid a further $208 each year for enrolling in education plus $62.40 a fortnight for being an ongoing student. Only payable during the terms the course runs. This has been ongoing for years anyway.
I was amazed this year when they told me I would receive a further $950
just for re-enrolling before July 1st. I’m not going to knock it back mind you.
But anyone who enrolls in a TAFE or Uni study gets it, (who is on benefits) whether they pass the course or not?
I thank Mr Rudd for doing this. But if an ETS tax should be implemented,
we pensioners might get an increase to subsidize any water, or electricity
charges, but no one will pay us for increases in other general expenses.
Like council rates? Petrol increases, insurance rates. You know I own
a home valued at approximately $300,000. My insurances, collectively
are $142 per month, my rates with rebates, are $160 per month, I have
taken out a funeral plan/s another 33 dollars per month. My petrol is
approximately 180 per month, my electricity about $120 per month.
Do your sums? That’s excluding feeding my dogs and the wild birds,
my passion of course, about $200 per month. Luckily I have an employed
son living with me that contributes to household expenses, but without
him I wouldn’t be able to run a car at least.
Kevin Rudd is a shallow, egomaniacal, duplicitous chameleon who will do and say anything to stay in power. He is devoid of values or integrity.
The fact that the Australian public elected such a blatant shyster makes a compelling case against compulsory voting.
Australia deserves a clown like Kev as most of us do care about the assemblance of vulture opportunistic parliamentarian on both sides and no real alternatives. We should be thankful that Kev the clown has no real vision because the day will come soon where all of this will change for the worse.
But surely he can explain 1) The productivity benefits of sending a delegation of 114 to Copenhagen; 2) Why flatulent domestic camels contribute to Climate Change, but feral cames don’t: 3) How the inherited largesse of Howard/Costello didn’t help combat the Global Financial Crisis; 4) Why the youngsters handed him a serious serve last night (Monday) on the ABC.
A Social Democrat is a socialist who is dismissive of democratic government. This is the only difference between a Social Democrat and a Democratic Socialist.
All the ex-Communist parties of Europe have relabelled themselves Social Democrats.
A Social Democrat is a Neo-Communist; and Social Democrats deserve the same contempt given to Neo-Nazis.
Ha, ha. Rudd, the Christian Socialist (a contradiction in terms) turned economic conservative (before the election). Who is this joker? Now he is a “Christian Socialist” again?