We should start a conversation of the extent to which the Federal Governments attitude to refugees reflects their thinking about people in general.
The following quote makes a good beginning
"You can judge politicians by how they treat refugees: they do to them what they would like to do to everyone else if they could get away with it."
Labour MP Ken Livingstone, criticising the Government's new asylum policy
"A person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate those who are weaker"
Could this definition be applied to the leaders of the Australian Federal Government?
If you have any examples of how the budget cuts and or legislation reflect the negative attitude to groups who do not have the strength/influence to retaliate.
eg cuts to funding for dementia patients - click on dementia cuts
list from Sydney Morning Herald
LOSERS
1. The sick
$7 fee increase for GP visits and cuts to hospital funding
2. University students
3. Foreign aid
Reduction in foreign aid budget of $7.9 billion over five years
4. High income earners
Deficit tax rise of 2 percentage points for people earning more than $180,000 a year
5. Public servants
6. Video gamers
Abolishing the Australian Interactive Games Fund, saving $10 million
7. Pensioners
Pension age rises to 70 from 2035 and concessions cut
8. Families
Cuts to Family Tax Benefit Part B
9. Young unemployed
Under 30s face a six-month wait for a reduced dole
10. Motorists
More expensive petrol with a fuel levy
11. Indigenous people
A $500 million cut to indigenous programs over five years
12. Local councils
Cuts of nearly $1 billion over four years
13. ABC and SBS
Cuts of $43.5 million and Australia Network abandoned
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/federal-budget-2014-winners-and-losers-20140513-38802.html#ixzz37ZqkwZwr
Send your thoughts to bellingen.rar@gmail.com
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