our own axis of evil

I used to think that institutionalised religion and crime were the biggest threats to democracy and social justice in this country, but now I can see that the private school system belongs in the same league. A veritable Axis of Evil and injustice within our own borders - crime, religion and private schools. Come to think of it, both crime and religion have a lot to do with private schools!

I've read the news several times, but I still can't believe my eyes. The Labor party has agreed to maintain the Howard government atrocity that funnels huge sums of public money into the privileged private school system, at the expense of our public schools, for another 3 years! For what? So these children of the rich and nouveau-riche can continue to enjoy their birthright privileges (including practising the fine art of shoplifting), subsidised by all tax-payers? Children whose parents no doubt can already afford to avail themselves of the many tax-avoidance and minimisation schemes not available to the masses trapped in the PAYE system that supports private schools.

This is one of the worst, most unfair and unjust policies that this country has ever been subject to, and it disgusts me that the Labor party has allowed the private school lobby to influence and control it in this way.

My electoral options this month are shrinking by the day.

p.s... and here's a great article by Kenneth Davidson in the Age 9/8 on government funding of private schools.

a glimmer of humanity

It was delightful to read that not one, but two councils have volunteered to host a refugee processing centre in Australia.

It made me especially proud that they are both Victorian communities that have taken the lead in attempting to demonstrate some humanity toward people who risk their lives to escape oppression or death in their own countries, only to arrive here and be treated like criminals by politicians of both major parties, as they vie for the votes of the ignorant and bitter, but vocal, minority.

Both Abbott and Gillard should be ashamed of the hysteria that they have, respectively, whipped up and bowed to in regard to the tiny number of refugees that reach our shores. Sure, crack down on people who profit from the misfortune of the refugees, but stop further punishing people who are already victims of substantial injustice in their countries of origin.

Congratulations again to the people who have taken a lead in trying to demonstrate some humanity and decency to these people.