The biggest problem is that the 'social conscience' approach doesn't equate to electoral success, particularly in relation to issues like Iraq and David Hicks. Moreover, as the US is central to each of those issues, protesters are more likely to gain support.
I don't recall the same amount of 'human rights' and 'due process' protest against the trial of Shappelle Corby,. Improperly handled evidence, a show trial and a system bordering on arbitrary punishment with a total disregard for 'acceptable' evidentiary procedures. Now the Indonesian justice system does not have to comply with the same standards as 'western' legal systems, however it raises the point that at the core of each of these issues is the US, and not human rights. If the latter were the central issue, as much controversry would have been made of it by the left, instead of those said criticising the Australian media.
Now whilst I don't fully understand the substance of the Geneva Convention, I would like to know why David Hicks, along with other suspected terrorists, cannot be imprisoned as a prisoner of war. It would remove the illegality of their imprisonment, and although the war is not defined by borders, it's surely something that should be considered, or at the very least, discussed.
As for investment in healthcare, now whilst the direct funding levels have not increased immensely, this fails to take into account the volume of Commonwealth revenue that is now utilised by State Governments in the public health sector. A person of social conscience such as yourself may deplore the promotion of private health as an alternative, however, it has emereged as inmportant aspect of our health system that not only provides greater cover, but one that provides choice. In similarity to education debate, by providing incentive to utilise the private system, it not only reduces the total financial burden on both the government and the taxpayer, but reduced the overall burden placed upon the public system itself. Further to this, Medicare has, despite what many would like you to believe, been strengthened immensely, with record bulk billing levels across a number of areas including Pensioners and Children...
Commonwealth to state revenue is at record levels, yet infrastructure is failing to meet expectations. Blame game aside, it's time that the state's more efficiently utilise the funds they are provided instead of promoting inflated bureaucracies (as in NSW; the Health Bureaucracy has grown at a rate far exceeding nurses and doctors)..
You demand trust yet want to make a person Prime Minister of this nation, who takes credit for the actions of the Goss Government? Actions that resulted in 66% of the QLD electors believing the health system was in disarray..
Although, until we see policy substance by Rudd, all of his spiel is just empty rhetoric..
