G’day, 

I’m sending this email to people I know personally who are members of the Liberal party and others that I have had email communications with. 

I write this as a concerned citizen. The current government seems out of touch with the real world but I’m concerned that in many respects there is little difference in your party. It seems to me that both major parties are run by marketing people, who believe that if you say something enough times it becomes the truth.  The more political party’s use marketing techniques rather than well explained policy’s to argue their case the lower the esteem of politicians in the eye of the electors. The marketers seem to assume that we are all mugs, I’m not sure that is true. 

The internet is playing an increasing part in community discussion so the Liberal party is to be congratulated for having provision on your website for input from community members. I’ve made comments on a number of issues (under my full name) but it appears to me that no one in the party is reading what is put up on your website which is disappointing and somewhat counterproductive. It could actually become a liability to the party if not properly monitored.

 I’m very concerned about Australian food security and the sale of Australian companies and land to foreign interests. This is an issue that both major parties have ignored for too long, Ausbuy www.ausbuy.com.au , which my company is proud to be a member of, is the only organization working to bring this issue to public attention. I’m heartened to hear that the issue of sale of farmland is starting to be discussed within the Liberal party.

 The comments I’ve made on the Liberal party website are at:

 http://www.liberal.org.au/Issues/Regional/Ideas/Road-map-for-Australian-Food-Security.aspx but this content has sinced been taken of teh Liberal Party website, you can read what was there by going to http://touristradio.com.au/liberal/road_map_to_australian_food_security.htm

http://www.liberal.org.au/Issues/Small-Business/Tourism/Ideas/2010/New-Industry-Partnership-Business-Events-Bid-and-Boost-Fund.aspx

 http://www.liberal.org.au/Issues/National-Security/Immigration/Ideas/2010/Sustainable-Population-Growth.aspx

 I’ve also made some comments on Malcolm Turnbull’s website:

 http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/blogs/malcolms-blog/the-lateline-interview-response-to-critics

 http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/homepage/visit-to-the-pilbara

 http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/speeches/australia%e2%80%99s-economic-challenges-the-importance-of-a-plan-b

 And on the issue of the city – country divide on:

http://newmatilda.com/2011/06/14/how-take-regional-australia-seriously

http://newmatilda.com/2011/06/28/when-wild-west-whinges#comment-31031

I sense that we are in a very unstable situation at present which was well summed up in the following article in the Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/fresh-food-for-rural-discontent/story-fn59niix-1226090115811 .

I believe that many of these issues can be addressed through the improved communication that the internet offers, with this in mind I have created www.organicfoodwa.net.au and www.agritourismwa.com.au . Both these sites are receiving steadily increasing traffic. The agritourism site includes a link to the Liberal parties Road Map for Australian Food Security near the end of the text.

The fact that people are taking the trouble to make comments and leave  email addresses on the Liberal Party website, I’d have thought would have warranted some reply ( not just an auto reply)  and even some encouragement to become involved with the party. Is the Liberal party still a broad church or are the views expressed not what the party wants to hear?

I hope that this email will make a contribution to the discussion of food security and Australian ownership of productive assets. I’ll look forward to any replies.

Regards

Barry Green
Managing Director
Western Tourist Radio.
PO Box 582, Donnybrook, WA 6239
ph 08 9731  7006
email barry@touristradio.com.au

Visit www.touristradio.com.au to Discover WA your way

www.noleavenolifewa.com.au    Holiday in your own back yard.
www.farmstaywest.com.au          Farm and Station holiday experiences
www.petfriendlywa.com.au         Travel WA with your friends
www.agritourismwa.com.au         Getting in touch with your food
www.harvesthighway.net.au       A network of producers and holiday providers along the South West Highway
www.bandbwa.net.au                     A network of friendly Bed and Breakfasts across WA
www.gardeningwest.com.au        Holiday ideas for gardeners
www.caravanparkswa.net.au       A network of caravan parks around WA
www.countrypubswa.com.au       Experience some special WA country pubs
www.tourswa.com.au                      Find the local operators with a passion for their area
www.organicfoodwa.net.au                The future of food
www.boroniafarm.com.au             An organic farm surrounded by state forest near Donnybrook in the South West of WA