First, congratulations to new NSW premier Chris Minns on announcing that all 320,000 pupils in NSW government high schools will now have to hand in their mobile phones before lessons commence, and then get them back after lessons have concluded for the day. This simple, practical, and common-sense measure – already standard operating procedure in many Asian countries: Singapore, Taiwan, China, South Korea, and, I believe, Japan – will have a big positive effect on increased learning opportunities and class discipline, thus helping to increase the standard of education in our schools.
Good move, Chris, and I would hope the ACT government will adopt this common-sense measure immediately.
Local Canberra lawyer Ian Morison was a former local Liberal candidate for federal parliament, and these days writes letters to The Australian on a regular basis. I thoroughly enjoy reading his letters, which make a lot of sense.
His recent letter of 28 March hits the nail on the head in my view as to what the Liberal Party needs to do to get back on track.
Ian writes: “After losing government everywhere in Australia except Tasmania, surely it is code red for the Liberal Party – time to have a good look at why it is losing so often and so badly. The answer lies in a lack of conviction policies.
“Climate change has been the gift that keeps giving for Labor. Why not neutralise this by taking a clear stand in favour of the only known power, nuclear, that will give us clean, reliable, and affordable energy? Why not say that no power station will close before nuclear is operating, to guarantee reliable energy?
“The Voice is racist. Why not take a clear stand for the No vote, and insist the copious amounts being spent on Indigenous welfare be spent directly in remote communities? Why not say the cashless welfare card will come back, as will grog bans?
“Wokeism is everywhere. Why not take a stand that we will not adopt gender-neutral pronouns or rewrite history and literature to suit modern feelings?
“Our productivity is creaking under the weight of direct taxes. Why not say we will reduce direct taxes and increase indirect taxes on an equal basis, and compliance to raise tax from the cash economy?
“To counter institutional bias, why not say the ABC and educational institutions will have to show true balance or face funding cuts?
“Unless and until the Liberal Party shows the conviction policies it stands for, it will continue to wither on the vine.”
Well said, Ian! We need a battle of ideas in politics. It is better to go down fighting for something you believe in than meekly agreeing with your opponent. Recent history also shows that leaders and parties that have pushed the practical, common-sense policies that are needed to address problems usually win, and win well. People may not always agree with them, but they respect them. Just look at Reagan, Thatcher, Hawke, and Howard.
