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in service of the
​common good

Letter to Prime Minister

10/12/2016

9 Comments

 
​Dear Prime Minister,
 
 
I don’t suppose ordinary citizens are supposed to understand how politicians make their decisions especially when they fly in the face of logic. But sometimes a lack of logic and common sense, together with the seeming absence of any care for the interest of ordinary Australians, let alone the rest of the world, is beyond bewildering - it fills one with a mixture of anger and despair.
 
Your decision this week to rule out even the possibility of an “emissions intensity scheme” is in this category.
 
Have you received advice from your chief scientist that a scheme like this is essential if Australia is going to play its part with the rest of the world in avoiding catastrophic global warming? Yes you have.
 
Have you received advice that implementing a scheme like this will ultimately be a net positive for the national economy?  Yes you have.
 
Have you received advice from industry that bipartisan political support for a scheme like this would be welcome and provide the necessary certainty required for planning and investment?   Yes you have.
 
Have you received advice that a scheme like this will save each household unnecessary escalation in electricity prices in coming years?   Yes you have.
 
In the light of all this advice and what we understand to be your own reasonable knowledge of the facts you still chose to appease the rightwing ideologues in your party rather than act for the good of the country.  Presumably your own position of power is more important than anything else.   In these circumstances how do you expect to warrant respect let alone trust as our Prime Minister?
 
Your characterisation of the states as irresponsible because of the goals they have set reminds me of a kindergarten child making silly comments about other children when it is they who have sulkily refused to participate in the activity of the group.
 
I am choosing to send this letter to you via my blog, because I have come to the conclusion it is a waste of time to write to you directly.
 
In the adult world to which I belong, when there is a problem, wide discussion takes place as to the best way of providing a solution.  In an adult world one does not normally rule out best solutions because someone spits the dummy in advance.
 
I am hoping that all who read this letter will pass it on, and that what you and your government have decided not to do this week will never be forgotten.  While we often bemoan lack of leadership, seldom if ever has genuine leadership been so absent as it has been this week
 
 
Yours sincerely
 
George
 
Bishop George Browning
 
 
 
 
9 Comments
Everald Compton
10/12/2016 09:09:46 pm

Powerful message George. I have sent it on to my three thousand followers on Twitter. The Prime Minister is not in charge of his own destiny or Australia's. His power totally depends on the will of a few right wing ideologues who have tremendous influence over him. I can say with great sadness that he is now no long the powerfully intelligent man I once knew. Everald

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Beth Heyde link
11/12/2016 03:16:42 am

I thoroughly agree. This is so sad - it finally proves that the PM will not act against the will of the right wing ideologues in the government, no matter what the importance is to all the rest of us and to the world.

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Rod Mackenzie OAM
12/12/2016 02:36:18 am

This letter is just spot on. There are so many decsisions made these days that defy logic. It is obvious that there so little basic common sense involved and remaining in power is today's priority for Governments of both persuasions

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Darryl Fallow
14/12/2016 07:17:14 am

An excellent letter - it really hits the mark! It is extremely sad that the PM will not act in the national interest. It defies all logic that the government would not be prepared to at least LISTEN to sound advice regarding an EIS especially when the same message comes from the Climate Change Authority, the Chief Scientist, business and the electricity sector. This does not bode well for an effective review of policy in 2017.

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Oliver
14/12/2016 04:48:00 pm

The liberal government has consistently worked towards suppressing evidence, advice and scientific research in the area of Climate Change and misinformed the public in this respect.
Political debate around this is completely driven by emotions and used as a means to manipulate ordinary citizens (via irrational fear).
It feels like the Liberals are happy to sell off the planet simply in order to keep pursuing the self-interest of a very few rich and powerful individuals.
How can we take politicians serious in this light? - It, indeed, is difficult.
The other question we have to ask is this:
If corporate interests and those of politicians are aligned to do business-as-usual even when our planet and the future of the next generations is at stake, What tools/options do we have to make this change happen without the support of those who are in the best position (and have the duty) to drive those necessary changes?

"We need to live in a sustainable manner on this very fine and finite planet.
Any delay of this transition is most irresponsible and, in fact, a crime towards future generations."

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Anne Ranse
1/1/2017 06:32:10 pm

So well said! Business seems to go on regardless of the impact the lack of appropriate action and discussion might have. Confidence in our Government in these matters is rapidly heading for zero.

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LoR Writing link
11/2/2017 10:05:26 pm

This article is very important to write a letter to prime minister. The details I have read to improve knowledge on letter writing. Many tips I have find from this blog to get best education.

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Mariah link
8/5/2019 07:54:35 pm

This is great, thank you Bishop George

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Sump Pump Installation Carol Stream link
7/5/2024 03:12:05 am

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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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