Mark White (QLD Senate Candidate) has responded with a detailed response. Mark seems quite articulate on many issues.
Quick Summary:
- [Hardening up Border Protection Laws] For
- [The Internet Filter] Against
- [A Price on Carbon / ETS] Against (conditionally against)
- [Gay marriage] Against 'marriage' / For 'same rights as any de-facto couple'
Full email below...
From: Mark White (QLD Senate - Independent)
Sent: 10/08/10 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: Hello would be Senators - I have 4 quick questions.
I apologise for the delay in responding to you. I have just realised that I have not included my age in my profile, though age should not preclude anyone from trying to achieve their aims.
I am 52 years old and small business owner.
I think I may have responded to all of your questions in items on my website http://markwhite.org.au/?page_id=21 where you will see as an Independent I have a decided view on party attitudes.
1) Hardening up Border Protection Laws - Yes, but see my site, a better strategy using Australian Embassies world wide could short list refugees and reduce illegal immigration.
2) The Internet Filter - I vehemently oppose the proposed Internet Filter and Internet Censorship - see my site.
3) A Price on Carbon / ETS - Unless there is a realistic and quantifiable targets, I would oppose a carbon tax. Just as the "Cash for Clunkers" is flawed if no effort to recycle the clunkers. Good idea, but without correct implementation a waste, with no solid result for the environment.
4) Gay marriage - This is a narrow topic question which I feel is designed to inflame people and divide the community rather that deal with real issues.
Same sex couples should be afforded the same rights as any other de-facto couple. End of story.
Below are a couple of recent responses I have not yet had time to post to my website.
I do have an interest in the issue of pensions as I have elderly relatives living on barely any income, or is that barely living. Recently I listened to the response by the Prime Minister, to a question on pensions, and the inequity between pensions (all pensions, aged, disability and veterans included) and the escalating cost of utilities, particularity electricity. Even after having been informed of pensioners living without electricity and other basic necessities, the response was to sprout rhetoric about how much how much the government has done, and yet, not about any real improvement.
Whilst the general consensus is that it is more cost effective for Senior Citizens and Pensioners to live in their own homes than in faculties, it would seem that would be because pensioners are out of site and out of mind to most Australians. If pensioners are freezing and starving in their own homes the majority of politicians ring their hands and fail to support any real change.
As an Independent Senator I feel that would have the ability to ask the unpopular questions on unpalatable Bills presented that party members fail to do so.
I have lived in isolated parts of Queensland over the years, I understand the need for a functional health system. The health system in Queensland has deteriorated over the years, which I may add is not a slight on the medical professionals who work in health services, rather the lack of political will to resolve issues in a bipartisan way.
Education could have better funding instead of mindless waste like the Proposed Internet filter, a breach of civil liberties (see more on my website http:\\www.markwhite.org.au), which proposes over $350,000,000 over 10 years, a figure much better spent on education.
Climate change is a real issue, but must be tempered with reality. Proposing a Carbon Tax without any meaningful research into Alternative Energy, support for current Australian Research and Development (which is sadly lacking), and more carbon friendly options would be just another tax grab which I would oppose.
Australia is driest inhabited continent on earth. We require a more holistic approach to water which must include the reduction of urban sprawl that is adding a burden to infrastructure, water delivery, and the degradation of agricultural land. This should then also encompass Immigration, if we can't look after our own nation how can we hope to help others.
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I am glad that you take the obligation of voting seriously. I hold the belief that electors have for too long, not adequately considered how they vote, and in particularly their primary vote Senate vote. I suspect that electors all to often feel it's easier to mark just one box, then head off to golf, fishing, or so on, rather that taking the time to number every box. So perhaps there is truth in the adage, "we get the Government we deserve".
Naturally I think I am the best choice for your primary Senate vote. My motivation to stand for Senate is my disbelief at some dubious Bills that are passed, and conversely sound Bills not passed or set aside. If I may point to one more recent proposed Bill, the Internet Filter, whilst outwardly sounding quite reasonable in blocking child-abuse and ultra-violent material, it was used politically to block dissent, namely wikileaks.org. This is a slippery slope, and has quite dangerous implications for our civil liberties, when a politician or bureaucrat, can at their whim , block access to valid information without the of consent of their citizens.
I am also concerned with the "watering down" of food labelling obligations, particularity during the Howard era, with no attempt by the current Government to resolve this. FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) has become virtually a toothless watchdog, and we are not properly informed of the actual contents (some additives cause adverse reactions with medications), or point of origin. A blanket cover of "from Australian and imported ingredients", is rather pathetic as it may indicate salt and water is the local Australian content.
I have a variety of interests and convictions and whilst I realise that not everyone will agree with me, I believe as and Independent Candidate for Senate I can use common sense for all Australians as I have always held firm views on equity for all members of society.
I feel unable to offer any broad support to any of the parties as too often they seem to close ranks and vote party lines, instead of with their conscience, with self interest policy at the expense of the electorate.
Having said that I don't mean that I would attempt to block every Bill, but will strive to bring balance in the interest of all Australians.
You may find out more about me at my website http://www.markwhite.org.au where I have responded to questions on many topics which shall be updated and expanded upon from time to time.
You may also find items of interest at http://bothkindsofpolitics.org where I have responded to a variety of issues. This site will also give you the opportunity to view opinions of other candidates standing for election and I urge you to familiarise yourself with all candidates.
If you are in South East Queensland, or anywhere in Queensland for that matter, you may find this link http://community.livejournal.com/brisneyland/1835746.html of interest.
I do not have the resources to run a full time blog, but will endeavour to fully answer all enquiries on my website.
If you feel that I am worthy of your support, please feel free to commend me to your friends, colleagues, and associates.
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I hope I have answered your questions well enough, however if you would like any further clarification please contact me.
Regards,
Mark white
Independent Senate Candidate
PO Box 808
Yeppoon QLD 4703
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