Gordon asked the question: “What do you believe are the greatest barriers to real democracy in Australia, and is the system of political parties in particular a help or a hinderance?”
Gordon commented on Leigh's question: “Slarty, maybe you could get the details to wikileaks and make things interesting. On the whole I am in favour of the NBN, but the environment has to come first. We could shift the economy to green energy now if the political will was there, but there is probably a foreign policy component to the decision making too. Some of the coal mines have been sold to other countries. How can we shut them down now?”
Gordon commented on Alexander's question: “Not sure about becoming reliant on income from overseas students, but it is necessary to ensure that we turn out the best educated graduates possible. So we must invest in our future by adequately funding all levels of education. Take some of the funding from private schools. To be genuinely private they shouldn't get any public money at all.”
Gordon commented on Luke's question: “Labor is too far right to be a genuinely progressive party these days. They are more concerned with being popular than having a real vision and persuing it through word and policy. The media have to take a share of the blame for this though as they report the sensational and try to generate controversy. Journalists focus on the possible negative outcomes from any new policy so how can anyone expect positive change?”
Gordon commented on Lucas's question: “If public transport were cheaper then there would be less cars on the road. We would spend less money on road maintenance and upgrades; there would be less congestion and there would also be less pollution associated health problems. The system doesn't have to be profitable, it just has to be functional and affordable. Stop letting the economists run the show and put some intelligent people in charge.”
Gordon commented on Red's question: “The economy exists within our society, and our society exists within our natural environment. It's simply logical to regard the needs of our environment and our society as being at least as important as the needs of the economy. We will have to spend some money now to ensure that we have an livable environment in the future. There is only one planet. We can't just go order another from the factory if we break this one.”
Gordon commented on Aya 's question: “We need some young progressive minds in parliament. Get rid of the fossils who won't listen to a rational argument. We need to save the planet or noone will have a future.”
Gordon commented on Charlotte's question: “Marriage is a social construct devised by humans and as such is completely artifical, so any arguments saying that heterosexual marriage is more natural than gay marriage are simply nonsensical. No marriages are 'natural'. Theological arguments against gay marriage are based on personal beliefs, not objective facts, so cannot be used in any rational discussion. So marry who you love and ignore the conservatives.”
Gordon asked the question: “Australian journalism is increasingly inaccurate and sensationalistic. Anyone who has seen an episode of Mediawatch is certain of that. Given that an informed population is essential to the functioning of a genuine democracy, is it time that journalists and media organisations were made accountable by law for their presentation of news and current affairs? ”
