27 February 2013

What's a progressive really?

| johnboy
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Andrew Barr is having some fun with Liberal Leader Jeremy Hanson’s new found distaste for progressivism:

In the Legislative Assembly this morning, Mr Hanson moved a motion criticising the ACT Government for being progressive, and labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets.

However, in his maiden speech to the Legislative Assembly on 9 December 2008, Mr Hanson said: “My vision for our future is a vibrant, progressive and sustainable city”.

He also said: “I come to the Assembly as a member of the Liberal Party and consider myself a liberal by the definition of the word. I follow the ideal of Sir Robert Menzies, who said, “We took the name ‘Liberal’ because we were determined to be a progressive party, willing to make experiments, in no sense reactionary but believing in the individual, his rights and his enterprise, and rejecting the socialist panacea.” ”

It’s now clear that in order to lead the Canberra Liberals Mr Hanson has had to disown his maiden speech and abandon his ‘progressive’ views.

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DrKoresh said :

rosscoact said :

“labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets”

I’m stunned, this is moronic, there is no other descriptor.

I’m glad I’m not the only one to feel that way upon reading that sentence. I’m not tree-hugger by any definition but actively resisting environmental reforms just seems brainless. It’s no longer at the stage where anyone can reasonably claim that climate change is just a Green conspiracy, and doing our part is the proper thing to do, even if we are only making smalls steps at the moment. Rome wasn’t built in a day and climate change won’t be fixed by the Federal government waving a magic wand, as chewy14 seems to think. Especially if we’re facing a term or two under the thumb of an Abbott government, Heaven forfend.

And it won’t be fixed or even affected whatsoever by the ACT setting ridiculous targets on our own either. Climate change will only be solved by global agreements between governments of the highest polluting countries, including ours.
And the main effect of our recent renewable energy policies seem to be to give money to people who are already well off for extremely little benefit.

The Assembly is a bunch of wankers. Nobody in their right mind would take any notice of them as “Ministers” with any sort of authority. The fact that they are Labor “progressive” wankers is beside the point ……..

You do not have to be a so-called “conservative” to know the difference between good government and a shamozzle of union hacks.

rosscoact said :

“labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets”

I’m stunned, this is moronic, there is no other descriptor.

I’m glad I’m not the only one to feel that way upon reading that sentence. I’m not tree-hugger by any definition but actively resisting environmental reforms just seems brainless. It’s no longer at the stage where anyone can reasonably claim that climate change is just a Green conspiracy, and doing our part is the proper thing to do, even if we are only making smalls steps at the moment. Rome wasn’t built in a day and climate change won’t be fixed by the Federal government waving a magic wand, as chewy14 seems to think. Especially if we’re facing a term or two under the thumb of an Abbott government, Heaven forfend.

Dilandach said :

Matt_Watts said :

Obviously biased, but I thought Jeremy was clear when he attacked the quote – he was mindful to link the word “progressive” to the Left’s interpretation of that word.

Progressive isn’t “let’s progress at enriching ourselves and our buddies”.

It is if you’re a Tory.

chewy14 said :

rosscoact said :

“labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets”

I’m stunned, this is moronic, there is no other descriptor.

I agree, the local targets are moronic.

Our city council should concentrate on its core business and leave things like climate and energy policy to the Feds, instead of trying to go it alone, achieving sweet FA at massive cost to us in the process.

Do you know which responsibilities sit with the various tiers of government? Perhaps some research first?

rosscoact said :

“labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets”

I’m stunned, this is moronic, there is no other descriptor.

I agree, the local targets are moronic.

Our city council should concentrate on its core business and leave things like climate and energy policy to the Feds, instead of trying to go it alone, achieving sweet FA at massive cost to us in the process.

muscledude_oz said :

For years the local Liberals had to pretend they weren’t Liberals but Labor/Greens members in disguise because of a perception that their traditional rhetoric interstate about smaller government, free enterprise and sacking public servants didn’t go down well in bureaucratic, left wing Canberra.

Now that conservatism is in fashion locally Jeremy is sensing the public sentiment and changing accordingly. There is no longer duplicity in Liberal policy. I don’t think he is being hypocritical or two-faced, just providing an alternative to traditional Canberra left wing groupthink.

Ahhh, so he was being hypocritical and two faced back when he made his maiden speech, but he isn’t now?

“labelled as extreme and progressive Government policies such as renewable energy targets and emission reduction targets”

I’m stunned, this is moronic, there is no other descriptor.

Dilandach said :

Matt_Watts said :

Obviously biased, but I thought Jeremy was clear when he attacked the quote – he was mindful to link the word “progressive” to the Left’s interpretation of that word.

Progressive isn’t “let’s progress at enriching ourselves and our buddies”.

Matt_Watts said :

I hardly think Barr is a supporter of the “individual, his rights and his enterprise, and rejecting the socialist panacea”. Snap.

The conservative right may have those ideals but they certainly do like interfering with the individual, his rights and his enterprise. Especially when it comes to subjects where their ACL types get in a fuss over.

Matt_Watts said :

Can’t this lot get on with some policy, governing, etc?

Its a glorified city council. It should be treated as such.

If I were to glorify a city council it would at least take care of roads, rates and rubbish.

muscledude_oz3:51 pm 27 Feb 13

For years the local Liberals had to pretend they weren’t Liberals but Labor/Greens members in disguise because of a perception that their traditional rhetoric interstate about smaller government, free enterprise and sacking public servants didn’t go down well in bureaucratic, left wing Canberra.

Now that conservatism is in fashion locally Jeremy is sensing the public sentiment and changing accordingly. There is no longer duplicity in Liberal policy. I don’t think he is being hypocritical or two-faced, just providing an alternative to traditional Canberra left wing groupthink.

Matt_Watts said :

Obviously biased, but I thought Jeremy was clear when he attacked the quote – he was mindful to link the word “progressive” to the Left’s interpretation of that word.

Progressive isn’t “let’s progress at enriching ourselves and our buddies”.

Matt_Watts said :

I hardly think Barr is a supporter of the “individual, his rights and his enterprise, and rejecting the socialist panacea”. Snap.

The conservative right may have those ideals but they certainly do like interfering with the individual, his rights and his enterprise. Especially when it comes to subjects where their ACL types get in a fuss over.

Matt_Watts said :

Can’t this lot get on with some policy, governing, etc?

Its a glorified city council. It should be treated as such.

neanderthalsis3:17 pm 27 Feb 13

Matt_Watts said :

Obviously biased, but I thought Jeremy was clear when he attacked the quote – he was mindful to link the word “progressive” to the Left’s interpretation of that word.

I hardly think Barr is a supporter of the “individual, his rights and his enterprise, and rejecting the socialist panacea”. Snap.

Can’t this lot get on with some policy, governing, etc?

How can any of our current parties try to brand themselves as progressive? Would not being a progressive require progressive policies, be they economic, social or environmental?

Obviously biased, but I thought Jeremy was clear when he attacked the quote – he was mindful to link the word “progressive” to the Left’s interpretation of that word.

I hardly think Barr is a supporter of the “individual, his rights and his enterprise, and rejecting the socialist panacea”. Snap.

Can’t this lot get on with some policy, governing, etc?

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