Firstly, I just want to congratulate a number of you on not allowing yourselves to get too emotionally involved in what, really, should be a somewhat friendly discussion.
I'll say right now that I am an INDEPENDANT voter with LIBERAL leanings. I also own a small business that deals in commercial flooring for the building & trade sectors up here in Brisbane. So if I come across as biased- at least you know in advance.
Most of the major topics have been covered, but there are a few concerns I still have that seem to get glossed over- the cost to the general public of the National Broadband Network, just HOW both the Liberal & Labor governments propose to bring the defecit back to surplus in under 3 years without significantly increasing taxes, just how much influence Labor party boss & Qld premier Anna Bligh will have on the party- remembering that Mrs Bligh has effectively sold off Qld's major assests to investors in order to fund her state governments bungles- are we to see a similar plan if Labor wins federally?
Can anyone tell me WHY we NEED the NBN? I'm not saying it won't be helpful, BUT- when quizzed on Wednesday night Ms Gillard EVENTUALLY let slip that in Tasmania "where it is successfully trialled.." it costs the average home owner $40-$60 a month- and this is for the watered down, basic entry level NBN. Just how much will the fabled 1 Gigabit per second NBN connection cost? $150 a month? $200? More? Is it so attractive an option, enough to grab YOUR vote, that you are willing to spend hundreds for the priveledge? Given that Australia is reportedly 'the most amazing economy in the known world'..or some such, just how much more 'up to date' with the rest of the world do we need this $43 billion expense to be? When quizzed on the cost per household, instead of answering outright, she put the onus on 'your service provider'. To me, and I admit, I'm a bit biased, it looked like a passing of the buck in advance.
Here's a question- can you opt OUT of the NBN once it's rolled in? Do you have to have it?
Speaking to a number of manufacturers, builders, tradesmen & architects up here, I can tell you that nearly all are hoping for a change in government. A lack of confidence in the current government has slowed Brisbane's building industry to the point where a number of business are being forced to shut the doors. As it historically does, a change in government brings with it a surge in business confidence, getting the building trades back in work.
I heard John Hewson say the other day that this election is essentially about 17 marginal seats- most situated in south-east Queensland & western Sydney. If this is the case, and what I hear is true, there is a very real chance we see a change in government come Saturday night.
Lastly- in regards to the GFC & Labor's bells & whistles proclimation of wonderful financial management- it took Australia, and in particular Queensland, about 5-6 months after the GFC hit America to have any sort of impact. I wonder if the Labor government factor that in when they produce their figures? Because really, we should be, in effect, about 5-6 months behind in the full effects for the whole wave of the GFC. And how many of the countries we compare ourselves to went from such a large surplus to such a large defecit that quickly? We may not be in as bad a financial spot RIGHT NOW as say, New Zealand, but if we started 30 steps ahead- is it a fair comparison?
Anyway, I've had my say. I know how I'm voting tomorrow.