Friday 10 March 2011

by Mat Churchill

We as Australians seem to act like spoilt children when we are told that we aren't going to get it all our own way in future.

I may be labouring this point, which kinda follows on from last week's Viewpoint, but only because it's a point I think is worth labouring.

Anyone who has travelled to a poorer country, even right on our doorstep in PNG, or South East Asia, would have seen the horrible living conditions that many families ("working families" to coin a phrase) endure every single day. It often leaves the tourist with a sense of helplessness, and a (sometimes) lasting appreciation of the lifestyle enjoyed at home.

Now, confronted with the stark reality that the true cost of living like a Westerner is well above what we actually pay currently, we block our ears, close our eyes, and blame the Government.

Take the current carbon tax debate.

I didn't vote for this Government, but at a time when they are finally trying to initiate change in terms of a price on carbon, we see Tony Abbott leaping around with excitement like a ten year old watching a fight at school, instilling fear into those who bother listening. After all, he's an opportunist like most politicians.

We hear him join in the chorus with a bunch of ultra-conservative 'shock jocks' on the radio speaking on behalf of you and me saying we don't want to, and shouldn't have to, change the way we live.

I'm glad to have the opportunity to speak for myself. I want change!

If water is not to be wasted because it is a precious commodity then charge me its true worth (FNQ gets a lot of rain for a reason other than our personal use). If a banana costs me $3 because climate change has sent more severe storms through the plantations, then so be it. And if the fact I run my air conditioner more than I should means I have to pay for the pollution I'm creating then put a price on it.

Will it hurt the budget? Damn right it will. But it's only through these measures that I, and others, will change our behaviour to such a degree that we can create positive change.

Don't complain that electricity costs are too high. Build smaller, more energy efficient homes (Australians have the biggest homes in the world).

Don't sook that petrol prices are going up (by the way we've got it pretty good there too). Demand our politicians and our big businesses invest in non-petroleum fuel technology.

The US has spent over $1 trillion on the war in Iraq, and I assume our country has also spent billions. Is there a problem on the planet that can't be resolved with that kind of cash?

But as we're seeing in many countries of the Middle East, it's the people who need to generate change. Governments generally avoid it like the plague as change requires leadership, and leadership may mean tough decisions which in turn may cost them their jobs.

I'm following The Newsport Poll on the carbon tax with great interest. At the time of writing around 70% of people are rejecting the idea.

So to those of you who make up the 70%, what do you suggest?

If you've got a Viewpoint you'd like to share, why not send it in to us at info@thenewsport.com.au.