11 November 2007

Pork barrel no way to solve climate change – Greens

Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro Keith Hughes says that the pork barrel is not an effective weapon against climate change.

Mr Hughes says that in recent years we have seen government debased by pork barreling and ad hoc funding decisions which are based on political patronage rather than genuine community need or strategy.

“A whole of government approach is needed to tackle global warming; it is too important to be left to politics,” he says.

The term “pork barrel” in politics  refers to taxpayer funded spending that is intended to benefit a politican and attract votes from grateful recipients or defuse potential opposition.

“In marginal Eden-Monaro, we have had a close up view of this practice.”

“Government over the past few years has been characterized by the pork barrel. I’m not just talking about the current election campaign, I’m talking about day to day Government,” he said.

“Expenditure which was once a routine under a government program or as a redistribution of wealth, is now a gift from a munificent local member, and too bad if you don’t get on with him,” Mr Hughes says.

 “We’re about to find out how successful that is as an election strategy but it certainly helps keep people docile and unwilling to speak out against the controller of the purse strings. “

“That short term focus on election outcomes has debauched government and until that changes we cannot effectively stop climate change or solve any of the other major problems facing our country,” Mr Hughes says.