Anna commented on Emma's question: “Clytie Siddall is correct; news and current affairs programs have become products which are packaged to attract the magpie mind. However this has always been true, the media has simply become better and more efficient at giving people what they want. Like any other industry consumers vote with their feet (or remote control) therefore this problem will never be solved as long consumers are willing to put up with, and even encourage, shallow and biased reporting.”
Anna commented on Wayne's question: “Marcus, how on earth did you get the idea that asylum seekers are criminals? I would honestly like to know how you arrived at such an obviously erroneous assumption.”
Anna commented on Zac 's question: “Farmers are only sensitive to nature when it effects their crops, floods and drought hurt them hard , they think much more about water availability and weather that urban dwellers, this is true. However farmers generally are not know for sustainability. Farmers clear cut forests, they cultivate rice (of all things) next to a dying river and expect to be exempt from water restrictions. Using soil analysis and weather patterns most of Australia has been mapped according to which crops would be most suitable for each region, but very few farmers...”
Anna commented on Christopher's question: “The "bush" has, and should have, NO role in alleviating population growth. The economy in Australia has changed and people have left rural areas for good reasons. To say that population growth is a problem is an absolute lie. We are a young country with plenty of resources and space to support a larger population and we have the technology to make our cities sustainable. The only thing that is lacking is the willingness to invest in the infrastructure necessary for sustainable urban development. We should be talking about recycling water and...”
Anna commented on luke's question: “Some politicians are better at representing their electorate than others but I think the problem lies more with the voters. A large portion of voters vote for parties not politicians. Parties have a consistent set of values and aims people can identify with, whereas politicians come and go. Few people can actually name their representative and even fewer voters research each candidate before voting. It is a symptom of the modern age, electorates are not as isolated as they once were, local issues don't just affect the locals. Also people...”
Anna commented on Wayne's question: “I totally agree with you however we must also improve the way we treat those who are given temporary asylum - they are: 1. Not allowed to work, earn money or even study 2. They are given a very meager allowance 3. They receive very little help with integration (eg cultural expectations, knowledge of the law, how to use public transport) 4. They are constantly in limbo, how can you start a life knowing you could be deported the next day?”
Anna commented on vince's question: “Lifestyles have changed, people want to live closer together, to have choice, new opportunities, diversity, jobs! I love my city apartment, I don't have to spend my weekends moving the lawn, i don't have to have a car, i can hop on any train or bus and be at my destination in minutes, I can go to a different place everyday for lunch, I can take a class, I can meet new people every day, and I am surrounded by activity and life. True, I pay for that freedom but just as you find my lifestyle inconceivable I would find find a 120acre farm house a...”
Anna commented on michael's question: “I agree, it seems only logical that we would be closer to Europe esp the UK but it doesn't' seem to work out that way. Although there are several possible answers: 1) By distancing ourselves from Britain after federation we have established our distinct identity 2) For most of Australia's existence as a country the US has been the world's super-power 3) Most importantly: US media companies have an absolute monopoly. Even though many european countries have large film and television industries very few productions appear on our screens, even...”
Anna commented on Eyal's question: “The real question is: should we? Young people are moving to the cities because they want the things that rural areas cannot provide (eg jobs).”
Anna commented on John's question: “It's simply an "out of sight out of mind" solution people become suddenly intolerant when processing centre is built in their neighborhood. As I understand it, it does cost more to have detention centres here because the day-to-day costs are cheaper (workers, food etc). However the real question is WHY ON EARTH DOES PROCESSING TAKE SO LONG?!!! I understand it hard to get documentation, evidence etc but surely there must be some way to cut down on the paperwork. That way we wouldn't have to spend money holding people prisoner for YEARS (and...”
