Free Australia

In the lead up to the elections wild and wonderful promises are being made by both the Labor and Liberal parties in an attempt to bedazzle potential voters into handing power over to them to run the State.  What seems to be seriously lacking in all the hype and promises being made is the question of what does the WHOLE State actually need? 

Has the State of South Australia been asked what it is they want? What has been the most pressing need which has been loudly and clearly identified by South Australians?  Have South Australians been putting forth a loud hue and cry for a fancy sports stadium with all its bells and whistles that will clearly cost in excess of one billion dollars, which is little more than a monument to the Liberal party.  Do we want yet another multimillion dollar stretch of bitumen to the, dare it be said, white elephant that is Port Adelaide?  Do we want to spend 1.7 billion dollars on a super hospital with its own set of accompanying bells and whistles when it is obviously not the most pressing need?
The F.R.E.E AUSTRALIA PARTY promises to put human need before buildings, bitumen, or political monuments.  If the F.R.E.E AUSTRALIA PARTY is elected into government we will take the one billion plus dollars that is available and put it ALL into solving our States water crisis.  Fancy sports stadiums will not save the River Murray; expensive roads to wannabe tourist resorts will not save the Lower Lakes; and a super hospital will not help those in rural South Australia maintain their livelihoods.

The FREE AUSTRALIA PARTY has a “no more bandaids” approach to solving the water crisis.  This is in stark contrast to the Labor and Liberal parties who no longer seem to be seriously considering this issue now that we have had a little bit of rain and our local dams are at 97% capacity.  They are only supporting the illusion of there being an abundance of water by allowing us to water our gardens an extra hour a week.  This is typical of a short sighted approach to politics and an underestimation of the intelligence of the citizens of South Australia.

Australians are tired of empty election promises that are little more than trying to make Adelaide CBD look good to other States.  What is the point of a embarking on such meaningless projects when our life-blood (the River Murray) drains?

On a national level we as a party support the Bradfield Scheme, which is the idea of turning some of Queensland’s coastal rivers inland. It was first introduced in the 1800’s by the designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Dr J Bradfield. He envisaged diverting water from the coastal northern Queensland Rivers across the Great Dividing Range, into rivers which would supply water for stock and other purposes in inland areas. To supply Adelaide, water would be pumped approximately 800 km south from the Cooper Creek. It is an immense project, but then, so was the Snowy Mountains scheme, which provided employment to many tradesmen throughout Australia. We agree with the Hon. Bob Katter, Federal Minister for Kennedy, that it is a necessary and viable plan, and one that needs to be commenced sooner rather than later.  At a time when State Governments can easily spend up to one billion dollars upgrading traffic infrastructure, expense ought not to be a consideration when it comes to ensuring a stable supply of water to the dying River Murray.

On a State-wide level we are calling for a public brain storming session to occur where every idea is to be examined for feasibility and then implemented.  We have in excess of one billion dollars to utilise, although when it comes to the necessities of life cost really should not be an object; especially when the twins (Labor and Liberal) and busy competing with one another as to who can build the most impressive building to shock and awe their potential voters.

One suggestion the F.R.E.E AUSTRALIA PARTY has been looking into is that put forth by “Perry” of Strathalbyn that we invest in the harvesting of ice bergs and utilise the water from that source to fill the Lower Lakes.  The research that we have done so far certainly shows that this is something that can be done.  We do have the technology to do this.  We definitely have the money if we choose not to waste money on real estate.

The F.R.E.E AUSTRALIA PARTY promises to not forget the WHOLE States need for water, or to bedazzle you with fancy sports stadiums that can sit 50,000, or with super hospitals that can double as a park for tourists to stroll though.

The F.R.E.E AUSTRALIA PARTY is run by ordinary Australians who want to cut through all the political spin, waffle, double talk, and actually stay focussed to get the job done.  That is our promise in the lead up to the March 2010 elections.  Vote 1 F.R.E.E AUSTRALIA PARTY.

Written by Craig Hendry