The ‘noughties’ in this country are already assuming a look and feel completely different from the relatively staid and unexciting second half of the 20th century; but it must be said it’s also a mixed bag of high hopes and increasing uncertainties.
On the national stage we have an enthusiastic and recently elected federal government who are hell bent on examining virtually every important aspect of how we live (and want to live) in Australia and are seemingly prepared to let the citizens have their input.
I say seemingly since the ever present sceptics amongst us are already relegating the 2020 Summit to just another talkfest although at this early stage their dissenting voices are smothered in a sea of good intention and numerous vocal supporters who appreciate a well orchestrated effort to increase engagement and are willing to at least temporarily suspend their usual lack of interest and/or faith in the political process.
Despite the PM riding a wave of unprecedented popularity his new administration is facing some very trying economic circumstances, including most visibly, the cost of living in terms of staples (food and petrol prices) which are skyrocketing, and mortgage interest rates which appear to get hiked on a weekly basis.
Just about everyone concedes that the factors underlying our most pressing economic woes are outside the government’s direct control, however this is of no great comfort to a large number of families who live in our city’s mortgage belts or live on fixed pensions and will have to suffer the dire consequences for the foreseeable future.
Many thinking people are starting to question the notion that our country, which has a strong economy (if measured in any conventional way), is having to face further increased interest rates at a time when other so-called underperforming countries such as the US (which precipitated the sub-prime fiasco) and many other places are in fact lowering theirs.
At the state level we see an ailing NSW government weakened by continual allegations of developer related corruption in a last ditch effort to centralise decisions on all major infrastructure issues in an attempt to distance itself from the largely self-inflicted town planning problems at the local council level.
In Wollongong (and possibly Shellharbour) ratepayers face over four years under council administration with strictly limited access to decision-making processes although there are already a number of individuals and small groups calling for a voice – primarily through the re-introduction of Neighbourhood Committees.
WollongongOnline fully supports calls for the speedy re-introduction of Minister for the Illawarra, and former Lord Mayor, David Campbell’s most important contribution to local government administration.
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