Spot the difference between China and Stephen Conroy In the past few months we have seen the highs and lows of our relationship with China on display. Firstly we saw Australia avoid recession largely because of the strong demand by China for Australia’s resources.  Then we saw a series of diplomatic incidents including the arrest of Australian businessman Stern Hu on grounds which are yet to become clear.  In addition it appears the Chinese Government has taken proactive action to show their displeasure at Australia for granting a visa to Chinese dissident leader Rebiya Kadeer. A stark reminder of the differences existing between our countries is the fact that Australia is an open and free democracy whilst China is a one-party state run largely as a dictatorship. Last week we saw again the positive aspect of our relationship when a Chinese Government owned energy giant purchased billions of dollars worth of natural gas from the north west of Western Australia, a projec... more

 Your local country show is under threat One of the great benefits of representing a regional electorate is the opportunity to attend many local shows.  Whether it is Mount Barker, Mount Pleasant, Strathalbyn or Kangaroo Island – shows represent what is great about regional Australia – although you can take or leave the Dagwood Dogs. But there is a danger lurking for these regional celebrations in the form of yet another bungled Rudd Government “reform”, a danger that threatens the very survival of the small regional shows. Julia Gillard is proposing to re-regulate Australia’s workplaces under the so-called ‘award modernisation’ process.  This process is designed to reduce the thousands of over lapping awards removing complexity and varying conditions.  The goals are lofty and the concept sound however like with many policies being pursued by the Rudd Government, the implementation has not been well thought through. The problem with the process is that the Go... more

Defending the right of Mums to have a safe home birth The two greatest experiences of my life occurred in a birthing suite.   The birth of a new baby is an exhilarating experience that produces emotions from deep within your soul.   Yet somehow I think the emotions that child birth produces in woman are even more significant. Obviously pregnancy causes massive physical change but less obvious is the enormous emotional change having a baby ushers in.   My wife and I were very lucky with both our babies. High quality medical advice mixed with relatively easy births (that comment is sure to get me into hot water) meant that our experience was everything we could have hoped for.   It was a very intense and private experience.    That is why I was surprised when I saw the Federal Government’s reforms to maternity services, in particular I was very surprised by a small but concerning provision in the legislation that bans a range of medical ... more

Last year I had the honour of being elected to the Australian Parliament by the people of Mayo in South Australia. I was elected at a by-election following the retirement of Alexander Downer who had represented Mayo since its inception in 1984. The by-election was hard fought with ten other candidates representing all political parties and a range of independent (with the exception being the Labor Party who chose not to run a candidate presumably because it is so ashamed of how it has treated the Lower Lakes, but that is another story…) Something struck me during and following the campaign that I did not expect and that was the genuine lack of interest in participating in the election. On Election Day just over 80% of those who were entitled to vote did. That means 20,000 people didn’t vote for one reason or another. In the Lyne by-election, which was held on the same day, 87% of electors voted to send the popular Independent Rob Oakshott to Canberra. There are m... more

    It took me a while to realise it because usually, people who enter politics have some smarts and go in wanting to do what they believe is the right thing.       They pursue policies they believe will make our country an even better place.   That is why I have been at a loss to understand how a group of people who promised us in the lead up to the last election that they were "economic conservatives" who "believed in surpluses" could turn a low unemployment surplus economy into one with rising job losses, record spending and historic debt levels.   Then it hit me – it is not that Labor can't manage money – it is that they actually don't want us to get ahead and have our own money.     They are actually doing what they believe in.   You hear it everyday in Parliament with senior Labor members deriding Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull’s success. The truth is that the Turnbull’s are wealthy and successful because they wo... more

Time to change thinking on the Murray River Later this year the South Australian Government is likely to announce the introduction of a weir at Wellington. This is effectively a dam across Australia’s greatest river before it flows into the Lower Lakes in South Australia. It would allow the Government to pump sea water into the Lower Lakes, a system that has been a fresh water environment for thousands of years – this is a decision that will be irreversible. The cause of this crisis is undoubtedly poor management of the Murray Darling Basin and the length of the drought reducing inflows into the system to record lows.  The system is a naturally replenishing resource that must be managed to service Australia’s food production but also to keep the resource healthy. The CSIRO has estimated that inflows to the system will be reduced by up to 50% under their modelling.  Given the severity of the shortage, maybe it is time for us to think outside the square. So wh... more

Too giggly on alcopops to tackle hard drugs Australia has the highest rate of ecstasy use in the world. Frightening isn’t it? So what’s being done about it? Like many other policy issues, the PM declared war on drugs but it is more a phoney war than a real one. Hey guys, wanna buy some alcopops? Since being elected the Government has failed to take any significant action on this major health and criminal problem. Instead General Rudd and his loyal lieutenants have sent the troops into the goldmine by introducing a new tax on pre-mixed lolly water rather than sending them to the front line and fighting the real war on illicit drugs. With my best Kevin Rudd impersonation, I will ask myself a question, ‘is addressing the problem of binge drinking in our young people important?  Absolutely.  But is it the number one health challenge?  I think not’. The Rudd Government has taken its eyes of the most significant and dangerous health issue facing young Australians, illic... more

The Unemployment Battle The Rudd recession is starting to have a major impact on the prospects of the younger generation to find jobs. Recently a series of sectors including retail, hospitality and newsagents have broken their silence to outline just how damaging the award modernisation process has been for their industries and their ability to create and support jobs.   This government seems intent on making life difficult for young people, from compulsory university fees of $250 per annum to entrenched long term unemployment and massive debt someone will have to pay back.   We can’t keep running up as credit card bill of $2 billion per week. more

  Recently I spent the afternoon with the local CFS Commander and a Group Captain touring areas of the Adelaide Hills as they assessed the bush fire risk to houses. I must say it was a real eye opener. Some residents seem oblivious to the warning signs, even in the wake of the Victorian tragedy. Gutters filled with leaves, yards covered in grass and branches. For the CFS it was a frustrating drive.    The Scout motto of “be prepared” has never been more appropriate. I urge all Hills residents to have a second look around their yard and in their gutters, are you prepared.    The huge loss of life in the Victorian bushfires has come as an enormous shock to us all. It is hard to imagine in this day and age that so many people can die in such extraordinary circumstances.   Last weekends National Day of Mourning was an appropriate time for us to reflect on those who died and also those who survived and the hardships they now face.  ... more

The Coalition is not opposed to responsible stimulus packages. What we do oppose is reckless handouts, panicked decision making, record national debt and high unemployment.   The Coalition has stood up for the millions of Australian taxpayers who are deeply concerned by the Rudd Government’s actions.   Make no mistake, this poorly considered and rushed $42 billion package will saddle our children and future generations with unparalleled debt, and what’s worse Mr Rudd doesn’t want to stop, he is preparing to take the nation into $200 billion debt or $9,500 onto every Australians credit card.   Somebody has to stand up for the future generations.   The Rudd government admits Australia’s unemployment rate will reach 800,000 or 7% of the workforce and Mr Rudd says there is no guarantee his plan will work. Labor’s rhetoric now talks about “supporting jobs” not creating them.   There is no evidence the pre Christmas cash splash created one extra job. ... more