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The Right to Speak and Think Independently (Howard Emanuel)Why I am I standing as an Independent candidate for the federal electorate of McMillan? Because I believe absolutely and fundamentally that if we do not change the way federal politics is enacted in this country... Read More... By Howard Emanuel - 6th October 2004 - Back to News 
Why I am I standing as an Independent candidate for the federal electorate of McMillan? Because I believe absolutely and fundamentally that if we do not change the way federal politics is enacted in this country, a great many of the contemporary social issues we face will remain unchallenged, let alone addressed and reconciled.
The current political duopoly we have in this country has suffocated and narrowed debate and excluded many voices that choose to waiver from the demonstrated ideology of the major parties.
Tragically for rural Australia the National Party continues to subjugate and humiliate itself at the foot of the Liberal party, essentially quelling the voice from rural Australia where so much is achieved, where so much toil is undertaken and at the same time so much struggle exists, so much has gone unseen. Important social statistics such as those concerned with human health are regularly more poignant in the country than in metro areas, yet the ability to be heard on these matters is increasingly less.
A great many members of major political parties in Australia have much to offer and indeed enter the parliament full of concern and interest only to be muted and stymied by the ideology of the party machine. To see their deepest concerns essentially wiped from the party reform agenda.
There is I believe a great need for new voices in the federal parliament, voices that are connected to the people, voices that understand the everyday triumphs and the everyday struggles of the community. Only then are we able to set policy that will address and reconcile the issues among us. Debate in the parliament has become nothing more than a parody of two opposing but increasingly similar ideologies, where the issues of the day struggle for exposure above the increasingly bitter diatribe between Labor and Liberal.
The young people of this nation watch in utter disbelief as our federal leaders indulge in smear, in character assassination, in uncouth diatribes against those that sit opposite them. Our young must surely cringe when they watch this behaviour, recoil at the blatant waste of an opportunity to address the issues that concern them.
And what issues you might well ask.
Why it seems does virtually no one in politics speak of a long-term vision for Australia, a long-term view of where we desire to be as a people, as a nation. Why it seems increasingly that politics is all about the political cycle and being re-elected, instead of the uncertainty of leadership and new ideas.
Why is it that I as an independent candidate continue to receive countless communications from disenfranchised voters from the major parties venting their dismay and bemoaning their confusion. These people desire what I desire, a frank and honest discussion of where we are as nation of people, and importantly of where we are heading. Not hyperbole that delivers few answers and increasingly undermines the integrity of the public office.
Are not the young with their boundless energies and fruitful ideas one of our premium resources, one of our greatest assets? And yet we insult them and belittle their right to seek new answers, as the parliament strangles the debate and censures those who think outside of the party agenda.
As an independent I am tackling the important issues such as mental health, access to higher education, the agricultural sector, on important international matters such as the war in Iraq, the war against terror, Australia’s lack of foresight with regards to our Asian neighbours (Cruise missile announcement without any communication with Asia) and myriad others.
It is time for the community to accept the voice of an independent in the federal parliament is a bona-fide voice, is as capable and as coherent as the voice of the major parties. Is knowledgeable of the issues, is in touch with the community, and is beholden to no central ideology and most of all enamoured of a great need to return the parliament to the people, away from the major parties. If the cross benches in the House of Representatives are voluminous with independents and minor parties the debate is put under instant scrutiny and contributed to by those of differing views.
I stand as an independent because I believe in the right of individual thought and opinion and I am tired of seeing my parliament subjugated for the power needs of a self appointed yet sometimes inept political elite.
The parliament belongs to the people, its ideas and assets are the road to a better life for all of us.
Thank you.
Howard Emanuel.
Independent Candidate for the Federal Seat of McMillan.
Tele/Fax: (03)5684 1561
Mobile: 0400 158 896
E-mail: howard@howardemanuel.com
"Bringing the People back into Policy!" www.HowardEmanuel.com
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kris@howardemanuel.com
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