YOUR front page article headed “Voters Revolt” (CL 24/2/01) was interesting in its assessment of the recent state elections in that it demonstrated the government was returned by the “greed factor” not on its performance or policies.
This factor seemingly was generated by the perceived damage to people’s hip pocket nerve of Federal Government actions relating to petrol prices, GST, BAS, and economic rationalisation, in other words the “what’s-in-it-for-me?” syndrome or the “greed factor”.
No concern was expressed about vital issues such as health, education, law and order, etc. Other than a passing reference attributed to a sitting member that all was well in these essential areas, nothing further was considered.
Nor was mention made of moral or ethical matters which have taken a fair beating of late nor any reference to Christian values which are continually threatened by government legislation or official attitudes regarding abortion, euthanasia, prostitution, gambling and other key issues. Likewise, the Editorial in the same edition talked of a “poll message” which was related to economic rationalism with no comment about other pressing matters requiring attention for the betterment and the welfare of the whole community. One would expect more from a Catholic newspaper.
In Queensland now, thanks to our unique unicameral system, we have virtual one-party government with no constraints or checks and balances to keep it honest. The results of the election have suggested that people are more worried about money matters than about principles – your article supported this view. The ruling party has ample opportunity to introduce measures that may not be acceptable at a conscience level to all members of the public but which most will tolerate if there is no financial disadvantage involved.
Religious considerations will not enter into it.
It is to be hoped that the “Catholic politicians and political observers” whom you quoted as believing that there was a voter revolt against economic rationalism which brought about the electoral victory will remain vigilant over the next few years.
They will need to closely monitor Government performance to ensure that there are no excesses in the vital areas of policy relating to moral values and Christian ethics in the future.
FRANK RYAN St Lucia, Qld
