There Must be an Election Coming

Written the Sydney Morning Herald, our illustrious leader, John Howard, is going to talk about the situation of the two Australian detainees at Guantanamo Bay with President George Bush. After steadfastly refusing to acknowledge their situation since they were incarcerated, why the sudden change of heart? Could it be bad internal party polling results, showing the population is becoming increasingly uneasy about the predicament of two Australian citizens?

As an Australian who has travelled a lot internationally, the thought that the government wouldn't do all it could to ensure the fair treatment of Australians detained abroard, no matter what they are accused of, leaves me dismayed. Australian missions abroad are limited in what they can do, but I believe they should, and usually do, try to ensure that detained Australian citizens are protected as much as possible under the local law. These detainees are being tried outside normal US law, and the government does nothing. It's a disgrace.

The second, also in the SMH, reports that overpayment of family allowances will be deferred till September. What, until after the likely election date?

The deferment of family allowance debt really hits a nerve. Astute readers may remember that the government forgave familly allowance debt the year of the last election. Muggins here copped a debt the next year, no forgiveness then. Just the plundering of our tax return and a hefty balance to repay. (Note that I do not object to paying back the money, it's just the selective way the debt was forgiven to some for purely political purposes.)

I doubt if our risk averse PM will go to the people before the last minute unless the polls are favourable. Can't come soon enough. I'm itching for the opportunity to get rid of them.