Citizens of Bennelong

A Federal election is called, or at least should be called every three years. There are approximately 70,000 electors in the seat that we live in called "Bennelong".

Consider this as you reflect upon the fact that the vast majority of donations to political parties are from "special interests" like the Green movement, Big Businesses, and others. Now, let's say that the amount donated to a particular party is $2,000,000 a year - that would add up to $6,000,000 every three years. Let's also say that of that amount, $5,000,000 comes from special interests. That means they outweigh us monetarily by 5 to 1!

But there's 19 million of us all up - and probably about 10 million with an income. If even half of us coughed up just one solitary dollar every three years, we'd match the "special interests" at a stroke. Think if we had $1 a week taken out of our pay and donated to the party or candidate of our choice.

You'd have ended up donating just $52 a year. But it would endow the political system of our country with an almost incorruptible $1.56 billion (yes, billion!) dollars with which to contest every election. And, don't forget, we get to choose which party or which individual candidates get the money!

Maybe this should have been in "The Soap Box" but it's not a bad idea nonetheless.

Don't ban guns - tax the ones you don't like to the tune of 300% to 1000%. If say in the case of a Self Loading Rifle (L1A1), make them cost at least $5000 to $10000 and ammo at $10 or $20 per round. Then, if for instance it is deemed that farmers have a right to use one legitimately, then give them tax breaks on their firearms receipts.

Second, insist on six monthly weapons inspections, by certified inspectors, to ensure that the weapon is in good working order and that all safety gear is in good working order.

Finally, ensure that the licence is a tough one to get with checks on:

• Character
• Health (both physical and mental)
• Weapons knowledge
• Weapons maintenance
• First Aid training
• Range ability and accuracy
• Legal responsibilities

Well I think most of that's self explanatory. Maybe the amounts should be even higher - say $50 a round but with discounts if purchased and used at official ranges. At least with an idea like this you're covering two out of three potential weapons users. These are:

1. Normal people -They should be able to fit within this plans parameters and if they can't - tough.

2. Criminals - They're going to get a weapon anyway!

3. The insane - Well, if the health checks don't get them, maybe the cost will or some other area of the licencing regime.

People often ask me why we have Compulsory Voting here in Australia. I found the following on the Australian Electoral Commission website and thought we should reproduce it here:

Arguments used in favour of compulsory voting:

• voting is a civic duty comparable to other duties citizens perform eg taxation, compulsory education, jury duty
  
  
• the educative benefits of political participation
  
  
• parliament reflects more accurately the "will of the electorate"
  
  
• governments must consider the total electorate in policy formulation and management
  
  
• candidates can concentrate their campaigning energies on issues rather than encouraging voters to attend the poll
  
  
• the voter isn’t actually compelled to vote for anyone because voting is by secret ballot.
  
  

Arguments used against compulsory voting:

• it is undemocratic to force people to vote - an infringement of liberty
  
  
• the "ignorant" and those with little interest in politics are forced to the polls
  
  
• it may increase the number of "donkey votes"
  
  
• it may increase the number of informal votes
  
  
• it increases the number of safe, single-member electorates - political parties then concentrate on the more marginal electorates
  
  
• resources must be allocated to determine whether those who failed to vote have "valid and sufficient" reasons.