14 January 2009 in Jamie’s View
Welcome to my blog.
I intend to use this blog to regularly comment on local and national issues and I welcome feedback -positive or negative!
The year ahead will be very challenging for Australia with many facing the prospect of unemployment and difficult times. This is why I agree with Malcolm Turnbull’s call for the Government to focus on jobs jobs jobs. The Rudd Government inherited a strong and growing economy with a massive budget surplus which means it is fighting this international slow down from a position of strength. The key performance indicator for the Rudd Government this year is whether it is able to manage the economy well keeping Australians in jobs and the budget in surplus. Mistakes like the bank deposit guarantee mess will only exacerbate tough international conditions in Australia.
The biggest environmental challenge for Australia is the management of the River Murray and in particular the Lower Lakes in my electorate. It would be a massive mistake for the Federal Government to allow the State Labor Government to artificially pump salt water in the Lower Lakes. More work can and should be done before this decision is made. For instance the billions of dollars allocated to irrigation improvements should be spent more quickly delivering real water back into the system.
In the next week the world will welcome the new President of the United States. He will deliver arguably the most anticipated inauguration address in modern times on 20 January. Upon entering the Oval Office he will face some familiar challenges with a recession and a continued threat of Islamic extremism threatening world security. We all hope that President Obama is able to live up to the high hopes and expectations that have been raised and that the United States of America can continue to be a force for good in our world.
And finally next week will see the Tour Down Under fly around the streets of Mayo. I wish all the competitors well as we all look forward to enjoying the action in the beautiful Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.