Doug Cameron eBulletin

From Senator Doug Cameron

Welcome to my April eBulletin. We’ve had a big month in parliament since my last eBulletin; the abolition of the ABCC (scroll down to see my speech on this issue), along with the passing of the health insurance rebate means test, and the road safety remuneration bill.  These bills add to the progressive policy agenda developed and implemented by the government.

While speaking at a recent Labor Party function I quoted from Charles Dickens' “A Tale of Two Cities”.  The famous opening line of this classic epitomises the situation that the government finds itself in at the moment.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us….”

We must continue to develop a progressive policy agenda that epitomises a Labor government.  Building a good society and the best of times for Australians demands courage and belief.  In my view hope must always triumph over despair and as Dickens notes “we have everything before us”.

The recent speech and Lateline interview by Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey (see the interview here) demonstrates the growing influence of the dark side of Conservative politics. It certainly would be the season of darkness and winter of despair for many Australians under a Conservative Coalition government. Hockey has foreshadowed a return to the law of the jungle where the rich and powerful gain even more wealth and power at the expense of ordinary Australians. Given Hockey has a reputation as being one of the moderates in the Liberal party, can you imagine the planning and extreme policy development that is going on amongst the more aggressive Conservatives?

My staff are currently putting together a new website and we have began uploading my speeches to YouTube as an alternative to Hansard PDF’s. Please watch and re-share through your social media networks.  I will also be pleased to receive comments, criticism, and ideas for my newsletter.

In solidarity,

Doug Cameron.