An Interesting Viewpoint But Then What Would He Know About Real Politick? (April 22, 2005)

     The following observation in The Age comes from Philip Huggins chairman of Anglicare Australia and bishop of the northern region in the Anglican diocese of Melbourne.

[I]t is rather deflating to note that the domestic policy debate is now riddled with old tribal rivalries: Federal Coalition Government versus state Labor governments, as one example. Likewise, as one reads of the post-July 1 policy agenda of the Coalition in industrial relations and welfare reform, it seems that the intention is to provoke divisive and conflictive disputes at a time when Australia needs more unifying leadership.

Underneath the proposed changes to industrial and welfare legislation, there also appears to be an attack on those intermediary organisations that stand between the individual and the state - intermediaries such as trade unions, universities, the media and the churches.

Happy Anzac Day.