Brexit - a decision that will define England

Too soon...

It's always sad to see a strong, democratic country royally screw up an important election. or in this case, a referendum. Even worse when such a decision will haunt generations to come as the moment Britain became so bold as to think it could go-it-alone. But the people of Britain have spoken and they've decided its time to leave. Though it will be these voters children who will end up leaving the UK (or what's left of it) to go to Europe and other countries where the markets will be more prosperous, and trade is free. This is the long lasting legacy Brexit will have.

Many naysayers of the Leave campaign would tell me to stop being so dramatic. Though the sad reality is I, along with many others, are not. Lets take stock.

• The pound is at its lowest it's ever been in 39 years. 
• Global markets have plummeted in response (this discourages future investment in places like the UK) 
• Markets are already withdrawing investments from the UK, as a recession is predicted. 
• It's predicted the UK will lose its AAA credit rating 
• Scotland is looking to claim independence again, or block Brexit entirely 

Though this is all something that can be laughed off right? 

Pound lowest for 39 years, markets crash, UK loses AAA rating for first time since 1978. Why is this man laughing? https://t.co/nNcNsd0sWr

— Barrie Cassidy (@barriecassidy) June 24, 2016

Though this is only this weeks loss. The long term damage is yet to come. The dampened export market as British manufacturers face increased costs sell their goods in the EU market of 500 million consumers. The likely shock of Scotland leaving Britain. The reduced tourism as Britain hides itself behind more borders and checkpoints. The lost ability for Britain's to seamlessly live and work in 27 other countries. And the impending resurgence of far right nationalist parties like UKIP. Then again, when you run away from key promises you made during the campaign, long term support may not hold out. The absence of Boris Johnson from media events is indicative that the Leave campaign had no real plan to lead Britain to exit.

Though the scariest part of it all, is the way in which a true Brexit will be irreversible for the UK (or what remains of it). In five, ten or twenty years later when the overwhelming majority of Britons realise what mistake their predecessors made, they won't be able to easily opt back in. That is, if someone has the guts (or stupidity) to trigger Article 50, and truly cause a Brexit.

And the Canberra Games go on and on

NT News keeping it real
Source: Guardian.com

I don't know about you, but the last few days in Australian politics has been kind of fun. I've been addicted to the nonstop rollercoaster ride that is the "Canberra Games". Who cares about shows like Survivor, The Greatest Race or The Bachelor - this is reality TV at its finest. It's a show where you kind of get a say in the process, but not really. People get eliminated. Hearts are broke. Tears are shed. New alliance made and bitter parting speeches are given. There's even the dramatic recaps, speculative commentary from experts and guests, and montages of how far we've come. While it may seem important at the time who gets kicked off an island or given a rose, here it (may be) a substantial change in how the country is governed. Who knows, we might actually have legislation passed by the senate now!

Due to the course of these events, I felt it was necessary to transcribe some of my thoughts on the Turnbull take over. (I hate calling it a coup. Where was the military!? Where are the pictures of people being dragged out of office?! Has the excitement of a change in PM reduced the ability of the media to reach for a dictionary?)

Coup: (noun) [also coup d'état] - a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government. Take Burkina Faso for example. 

As much hype as there is about the "shambles" that is the revolving door of our Prime Ministership (thanks Karl and Ray), very little actually matters. Because it's the exact same members of Parliament who return the next day and continue with business as usual. It's a reshuffling of the deckchairs, be it on a the Titanic, or the green Canberran' lawns. What is noticeable is how people reacted and pledge their allegiances. Abbott didn't give a press conference after he was ousted, a sign of very bitter resentment and self pity. Before the spill, many MPs didn't give press conferences, but those who did open their mouths to the microphones and camera lenses leaked out their emotional sentiments on the issue. It was like seeing the live crosses to politicians when they win or lose their seat during an election. There's a moment where they let down their guard with all of the emotional turmoil and show their true personality.

As for what the future holds, I can't envisage Australian democracy crumbling and falling apart from this latest bout of "treachery". There'll just be continued speculation about leadership on both sides, and the ABC will get a to run new episodes of The Killing Season.  Malcolm Turnbull has a lot more panache than previous political leaders, something the Australian community either loves or hates (do I even have to mention Kevin Rudd?) Style aside, there needs to be some substance to keep the viewers interested people voting. Or people will follow the Channel 7 model and not give a damn. That's something I'm much more concerned about! How did James Blunt become popular again?

The New Children Overboard

The Howard government was long mired after the truth came out about the “children overboard” scandal. No children were thrown overboard. But just the mere thought of it shocked and disgusted a nation. It was chilling to think responsible adults, who are meant to care and look after their children, were risking the life of their child for their own selfish purpose. It was outrage at deliberate, dangerous actions that were morally wrong. In light of the Human Rights Commission’s report into children in detention, no wonder the Abbott government is coming out so scathing against the head of the report, Gillian Triggs. The government has been called out for the inhumane actions it has created and funding. Taking deliberate, dangerous acts that are morally wrong, to serve its own selfish purpose of scoring political points.

Every Liberal and conservative politician and columnist, including Malcolm Turnbull on QandA, dodges and tries to muddy the issue with Labor’s legacy, the numbers of ‘thousands’ of children in detention, and the ‘political motivation’ of Triggs. Some quick facts for them.

1. Yes, more boats came under Labor than Liberal. Though the problem has just moved offshore. Australia is accepting less refugees than it previously did, and refugees are dying in poorly run camps overseas or being exploited via other means (trafficked elsewhere). No lives are being saved under this policy. 

2. Yes, at it’s peak Labor had 2000 children in detention. On average they were processed and released within 7 months. The current children incarcerated have been detained for more than a year, with no clear date of release. The current policy allows for infinite detention of children.

3. The report equally blames Labor for the abuses against children conduct while it was in office (it also released multiple reports during the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd years). This more serious investigative report was commissioned because of the worsening conditions, and changes of policy that on paper, are indicative of Human Rights violations.  The investigation started under Labor, and continued under the new Liberal Abbott government, amended previous Labor policy.

Discussing numbers and the important changes that the Liberal party are making is just a tactic to avoid the issue at hand. No one within the Liberal party has outlined what they’re doing to stop the abuses occurring to children within the camps, or to improve conditions. No one has even denied the issue, as Scott Morrison did for months and months. This government has had the report since October, and have chosen to release it at the last opportunity possible and discredit it as much as possible. The current policy of indefinitely detaining children that are within state care (they’re locked up, not free to go), reducing media and independent oversight to almost nothing and purposely creating a harsh and depressive prison environment as a ‘deterrent’, is the calculated doings on the current government.

Australia was shocked at the thought of people throwing children overboard to save themselves. Here the Abbott government are throwing children into inhumane jails and camps and not releasing or processing them. Why? To save themselves from the wrath of the electorate, and fulfil under ANY means necessary the promise to have stopped every single boat.