Transparency and accountability - back to basics

Nick Green concludes Australia21's series on young people's views on the election with a plea for truth in politics and a message for the incoming government. Nick  is a professional writer and magazine editor with an academic background in theoretical and practical ethics and a passion for all things mechanical and philosophical. He is currently editor of a B2B trade title and contributes to a host of automotive and youth culture oriented magazines and blogs. He was first attracted to volunteer with Australia21 through its work on illicit drugs policy. The modern political paradigm, or at least the way in which Australians relate to it, has irrevocably changed as traditional modes of media adapt to incorporate new platforms and reporting methods. The advent of social media has dramatically altered the nature of the fourth estate and the immediacy and availability of all (including erroneous) information has created significant tension between government and citizen. What matters in the 2013 election, as the prison doors swing shut behind Bradley Manning, the staff of the Sheremetyevo airport clean up after Edward Snowden’s uncomfortable internment and Ecuadorian diplomats based in the UK get used to stepping over Julian Assange’s fold out bed, is transparency and accountability. Without denigrating the importance of policy consideration on issues like refugee boats, LBGTI rights, emissions trading, consumer sentiment or cost of living  – Australian politics needs to be chiseled back to the bare essentials. In an information saturated nation, it needs to develop a uniform way of communicating directly and truthfully with a politically alienated populace. Australians, and in particular younger generations, can no longer be influenced with spin and lowest common denominator headlines. The dissection of inconsequential gaffes and mudslinging must end, and a culture of bilateral respect, which governments require to govern, must be reinstated.  When asked a question by a member of the media, a politician should be required to provide a plain speaking, honest and transparent answer.  The Australian people must be educated about the goals of good governance and the methods that a governing body needs to achieve them. Such understanding will help to reduce the blind contempt and mistrust that has taken over.    As political anhedonia settles over Australian youth and Baby Boomers steadily disengage from the news cycle, it is critical that clear, pragmatic and utilitarian communication become the priority of government. Open squabble over individual issues is the catalyst for apathy.

Is youth based policy enough to re-engage young voters?

Is youth based policy enough to re-engage  young voters?  Kathryn  Hedger is completing post graduate studies in the Criminology and Criminal Justice field. She says: "I decided to volunteer with Australia 21 in order to contribute to society by furthering the organisation's research surrounding social justice issues."      When we asked some of Australia21's  young volunteers to comment on the  2013 election agenda, Kathryn submitted this piece.   From listening to reports of the election campaign, it seems that our politicians think that the young voter has become disinterested in politics; so now we have Kevin Rudd attempting to re-engage the youth vote. But will an increased emphasis on youth-based policy be enough to re-engage the youth vote?  From listening to Triple J’s ‘Hack’ program and my peers as well, it seems quite clear to me that this re-engagement (if in fact we  actually have ever been engaged rather than bored) will not suffice. Why? Because, and I quote; “they’re both clowns, there’s nothing separating them from each other”. So with this thought in mind, what do I, as a young voter, think should matter and why? Firstly, I would like to hear one of the major parties (excluding The Greens) say very loudly, and very clearly, that seeking asylum, by boat or plane, is not illegal. The moral panic that has been created by the media has, as usual, sunk into general perceptions and made its way into the 2013 Election. I find it deeply concerning that neither of the major parties has made a significant attempt to clarify misperception around asylum seekers coming to Australia. Secondly, I would like to see policy discussion of de-criminalisation and regulation of illicit substances on the agenda. The ‘War on Drugs’ and ‘Tough on Drugs’ policy has been ongoing since its inception in the United States in the early 1970s. However, illicit substances remain widely available in the community until this day, costing our health care and criminal justice systems millions of dollars annually. Prohibition is very expensive. The new call for the de-criminalisation and regulation of illicit substances has gone global. It is about time that it entered the Australian political scene more broadly. These are just two items on my agenda. I just hope that we begin to see  proper discussion of issues like this on the 2013 Election Agenda.

Where is the vision for a sustainable Australia?

Where is the vision for a sustainable Australia

by Marni Cranna

          

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            Marni is a young volunteer with Australia21. She is  employed in the environmental services industry and has a tertiary
            education in Environmental Science and Land Management. She says: " I was introduced to Australia21 through their
            published work on 'Australians in the Landscape'. I started following the organization because it facilitates the combination of
             public discourse, scientific research and policy so well."

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I would like to hear a vision and a comprehensive, long-term, plan addressing the challenge of environmental sustainability. Environmental limitations and population growth are the most prominent issues of this century and I think it matters greatly how each party will choose to navigate them. The stance our leader takes on this global issue will come to define our national identity. Are we carrying on the tradition of being ‘the lucky country’, as Donald  Horne put it, trailing the lead of England and America? Are we going to break away and reform along the lines of models set by Norway and Sweden? Or are we going to pioneer our own technology, investing in education and innovation?
What is the vision for a sustainable Australia in the 21^st century? I would like issues such as food security, water security, natural resource conservation, economic prosperity and population growth put on the agenda this 2013 Federal Election. These are all need to be addressed  if we are to meet our basic needs and maintain a safe and secure population in future. If I had to choose just two of these issues they would be food security and economic prosperity. I think these areas are under the most immediate threat considering climate change, international relations, the state of the world market, and environmental limitations. 
For food security the key themes I believe should be touched on are community engagement, innovation in the agricultural sector, managing risks such as desertification, and the possibility of relative national independence (from the world trade system). For economic prosperity, I would like leaders to talk about how involved future government will be in interacting with the capitalist model. Will basic resources be protected and conserved, will public goods such as water be economically acknowledged as such, will pricing for natural resources reflects it's actual supply? Are we open to changing the system entirely in future? Could we phase in a change to another economic model which takes greater account of sustainability? 

The question remains: How does the next Australian Government plan to navigate the challenge of environmental sustainability? 

Facts not fear: can we re-imagine discourse on asylum seekers?

Recently we asked some of Australia21's young volunteers to respond to this topic: ‘The 2013 Election Agenda: What I think should matter and why’. In the coming weeks we will share their views with you. Here is David Lang's contribution.

The ingrained culture of demonising asylum seekers must come to an end. If this process is to begin in this election campaign, our leaders must speak now about facts nor fear.

The policy proposals of the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party in response to asylum seekers who come to Australia by boat have rightly received a significant level of attention in the federal election campaign.

That both major parties are pushing so far to the right on this issue - in spite of political ideology, supposed Australian egalitarianism and our nation's history - is deeply concerning for many voters who want to see a humane approach that is founded in respect, compassion and proudly meeting our international obligations. Neither the Government’s PNG Solution nor the Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders come close to this.

The longstanding dearth of positive political leadership on this issue has served only to misinform the Australian public. In wanting to be seen as tough on boats, both parties have privileged irrational political rhetoric that has served to amp up the idea that the Australian way of life is under threat by the 0.99% of the world’s asylum seekers who envisage a better, safer life in this country. This is not a crisis.

The war cry repeated by some elected leaders that the actions of asylum seekers are ‘illegal’ appeals to the idea that the control of our borders is under threat from criminal people smuggling syndicates. This language is emotion-filled and misleading - a xenophobic dog whistle to manipulate the public into opposition of those seeking asylum.

This issue - perhaps unlike any other that the polity and public have had to grapple with - has been characterised by an unseemly and embarrassing race to the bottom, whereby our international responsibilities are abrogated, reputation tarnished and commitment to human rights ideals thrown out the window.

The public discourse on seaborne asylum seekers must be reimagined and policy settings realigned. The ingrained culture of demonising asylum seekers for political gain must come to an end. If this process is to begin in this election campaign, our leaders must speak now with facts not fear. Although there have been many low points, the high road can still be taken before 7 September.

David Lang holds a Master of International Relations and a Bachelor of Business Management. He has recently volunteered with Australia21 in order to 'contribute to the organisation's essential work on issues of strategic importance to Australians.'