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in service of the
​common good

August 16th, 2019

16/8/2019

8 Comments

 
​My Dear Prime Minister,
 
Your attendance at the recent pacific leaders’ conference in Tuvalu was very important to show Australia’s commitment to issues that affect our near neighbours, for whom we have always recognised some responsibility.
 
We expected and hoped that you might show some real leadership, but we have been sadly disappointed.
 
When it was suggested that you might need to answer to the pacific in terms of Australia’s upward trending emissions, you said you were answerable to the Australian people.  That is why I am writing.  Between 60 – 70% of us want much stronger action on climate change. You do not appear to be at all responsible to us.  Who are you being responsible to?
 
You have correctly said that changes in Australia’s policy alone will not stop the effects of climate change. Of course not. But if every country in the world has this attitude, we will remain on a path which will decimate much of our region – and beyond. 
 
As a wealthy nation with many options, that if implemented, at worse will only marginally affect our g.d.p.in the short term and hugely improve our financial position in the long term we must set an example that puts pressure on others to follow.  Why are we laggards rather than leaders?
 
I am grateful you have condemned Alan Jones for his appalling diatribe, but the truth is many of us see in Jacinta Ardern the qualities of leadership we long to see exhibited in Australia.
 
Please stand up and show genuine leadership rather than mouthing little slogans.
 
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
 
 
Bishop George Browning PhD DLitt
 
8 Comments
Michael OkHara
16/8/2019 03:21:17 pm

Wonderful letter George. I would like to know the reply you get.

Reply
Richard Edwards
16/8/2019 03:40:36 pm

Thank you for an excellent letter George, articulating strong views, held in Australia. I too would like to read the response.

Reply
David Hunter
16/8/2019 03:53:00 pm

Well said!

Reply
Charlie Northcroft
16/8/2019 05:22:42 pm

Thank you George for expressing the thoughts I would also have liked to have expressed, but in a far better way than I would have. Our PM makes me so angry at times in his lack of consideration for others.

Reply
Graham Davidson Lindsay link
16/8/2019 07:35:24 pm

What a wonderfully expressed letter to the PM. Thank you, George. I guess you wrote this before the comments made at the Pacific Islands Forum otherwise I am sure you would have had more to say. I also liked your blog of 25 July on conservatives in politics. Spot on.

Reply
Gil Case
16/8/2019 10:25:46 pm

One of the more insidious "slogans" our media have succumbed to using is the phrase "Morrison Government" (or "Berejiklian Government" or "Palaszczuk Government" etc.).

These should rather be referred to as "Australian (or whichever State) Government". Use of the individual names allows leaders to assume that what they personally want is what matters, and that their position is remote from the opinions of the electorate who selected all the various members of a parliament, and that there can be no credible opposition to their own words and actions.

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Annette
18/8/2019 03:47:13 am

I'd be willing to sign too! Concise, but I fear there will be no reply. He's made up his mind and unwilling to change.

Reply
Peter Moore
26/8/2019 05:10:45 am

I suspect changing policy in this area will only happen in two ways - moral leadership reflecting the overwhelming views of the citizens of the world or crisis - sadly, the latter appears to be where we are headed under our current regime.

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    ​Author

    ​Bishop George Browning. 
    ​Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn 1993 - 2008.

    ​Inaugural chair Anglican Communion Environment Network

    ​PhD Thesis: Sabbath and the Common Good: An Anglican response to the Environmental Crisis.

    D.Litt. Honoris Causa for contribution to Education

    Centenary Medal 2000 for Service to cmmunity

    ​Patron: Australia Palestine Advocacy Network

    Patron: Palestinian Christians in Australia

    Patron: Sabeel

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    ​Not Helpful: Tales from a truth teller, Echo Books 2021

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    ​Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture

    Australia Palestine Advocacy Network

    ​Christians for an Ethical Society


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