Federal Government
MARN OF THE MOMENT: Ferguson shows Labor a way out of the abyss
If there’s any hope for a Labor government that most had written off as a politically inept basket-case, it’s in Martin Ferguson, the Energy and Resources minister.
He’s championed the change of government policy that stupidly banned the sale of uranium to India, on a technicality, while allowing it to be sold to the communist dictatorship running China.
Nuclear energy is controversial and it’s right that safety issues be carefully examined in light of the potential dangers.
But in a world concerned with carbon emissions, zero-carbon nuclear energy is an important option that many countries will pursue. Australia has the world’s largest supply of uranium and can play an important role in helping the responsible and safe development of this important zero-carbon energy alternative.
Ferguson was batting them out of the ground for six when ripping into the opponents of his plan, the dreaded Greens extremists, declaring:
“India needs electricity if it is to bring 400 million people out of poverty. If the Greens have a plan for how it can do this, I’m happy to put them in touch with the relevant ministers in Delhi.”
Calling out Labor’s Greens party opponents on their humbug is something that not enough Labor ministers do often enough. When Ferguson takes aim at them, he doesn’t miss.
The Fin Review today reports him saying also “The Indian people aspire to the same standard of living that the Greens enjoy in Australia.”
We’re not sure a public official has said a more pleasing thing since VEXNEWS was founded. Martin Ferguson is a patriot, indeed.
And it looks like the sensible folk should win on this too at ALP National Conference, although hopefully after a spectacularly colourful and rambunctious debate about India, nuclear energy’s threats and opportunities, China, and so on. Debates are good and Labor needs more of it. The era of Rudd stage-management is over.
Martin Ferguson: “The Indian people aspire to the same standard of living that the Greens enjoy in Australia.”
And while Ferguson was out and about on radio today, eloquently making the case for making our uranium available to our friend and ally in democracy, India, he touched on the issue of gay marriage in an interview with the ABC’s Marius Benson yesterday.
ABC: But you know your view (on gay marriage). You know your view, Mr Ferguson. Can I simply ask you what your conscience dictates?
FERGUSON: Well I’ll tell you what’s a difficult situation at the moment. For smart alec reasons earlier this year the Greens suggested that we consult the electorate, as if we never do.
Well, the feedback from my electorate is that I shouldn’t vote for this change in policy which might in actual fact be contrary to my personal view so I’m now in a very difficult position. Do I actually do what I think is appropriate or do I embrace the decision of the Parliament which was to consult and act in accordance with the view of my electorate? But the real issue is basically saying to each of us, there’s no Party decision, you’ll vote according to how you determine it.
Now I think a lot of people are going to vote, according to the consultation with their electorate and the very direct feedback they received.
In other words, Ferguson is saying his personal view is in favour of same-sex marriage but that he “consulted his electorate” pursuant to a Greens party sponsored motion that passed through the Parliament.
As a result of Ferguson doing so, it seems the electors of inner-city Melbourne seat of Batman have indicated to him that he ought not support a change to Marriage Act.
Ferguson’s seat of Batman has the suburb of Northcote within its boundaries, an area considered to be very popular with Melbourne’s lesbian community. So the result of Ferguson’s community consultation is surprising, perhaps even amusing.
Whatever it is, it’s proof of the ineptitude and stupidity of the Greens party. Campaigners for same-sex marriage don’t need friends like Dr Adam Bandt PhD (Marxism) MP. Their stunt seems to have cost them at least one vote in the House of Representatives, in the honourable member for Batman who may now have to vote against marriage equality, and against his conscience because of a cheap ‘smart alec’ Greens party stunt.
Many traditional Labor supporters are cheered up at the mere mention of Martin Ferguson’s name. He’s old school but clearly shows a new way forward. When Labor is ready to stick it to its Green foes with the intensity and passion that Martin Ferguson brings to the contest, it will be right back in the game.
Tags: Discussion
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If Martin Ferguson is the hope of the side, Lord help us. Is this really what the ALP has been reduced to?
Martin Ferguson is a unionist with a strong sense of Social and natural justice. A good Labor man who means what he says! Northcote may well be populated by a big gay community but let me tell you Preston, Reservoir ,Heidelberg, Mill Park also form a large percentage of Votes in Batman so it is a question of the vocal Batman minority screaming the loudest.
one of the few sane, vaguley mainstream types from your side of the fence andrew – pls run his views more often!
This man would sell his grandmother if they found gold dust in her nose!
Parliamentarians should ALWAYS represent the will of the electorate. The concept of a “conscience vote” is almost as repugnant as following the party line.
Hey Allison from Batman
Not much of Heidelberg in Batman! Try nil.
What’s the difference between Peter Roebuck & a Catholic Priest?
A Catholic Priest doesn’t throw himself out the window every time he touches up a Nipper.
The ALP has no identity, and this wont help. Good for “Mardin” he is privately very supportive of Nuke power for australia too…i love it when the ALP rips itself apart with petty debate, thats all this will do…as for the poofs wedding matter..the lesos in Northcote will never vote ALP again… one only needs to look to Red Ted B, the Victorians now know quality middle ground government is only ever delivered by the born to rule crew, and they have the self discipline to put factionalism aside and genuine identity…the ALP is going to get the face smashing it deserves at the next federal election
” Second, Baillieu’s cabinet doesn’t have enough strong performers to carry the weight of an inexperienced team.
Attorney-General Robert Clark is impressive, Energy Minister Michael O’Brien works well in the ”headkicker” role, while Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge and Water Minister Peter Walsh are also well-regarded for being across the detail of their portfolios.
But overall, Baillieu’s ministry doesn’t have many stars and his key lieutenants – Deputy Premier Peter Ryan (who lost credibility over the Tristan Weston/Simon Overland saga) and Treasurer Kim Wells (whose media appearances tend to be gaffe-prone) – have compounded cabinet’s underperformance in recent months.”
Bob Brown and his fellow from the Greens should put this marriage crap up as an election issue and run hard on it then we would see how popular it is. Democracy at work.
Who cares about Brown, he is already parking.!