LETTERS MP talks the walk
Hopefully no stunt
Congratulations to [Flinders MP and Environment Minister] Greg Hunt for his innovative 500km walk around the Flinders electorate to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, at the same time, giving us the opportunity to walk and talk with him. It is a pleasure and somewhat of a surprise to be able to use the word "innovative" in reference to a member of the federal government, but there you go. Indeed, given other government ministers' performances recently, it's wonderful to see one who can walk and talk at the same time. Unfortunately, Mr Hunt's genuine concern and positive actions in relation to ASD are in stark contrast to his government's record and continuing efforts to de-fund health and education programs that are vital to address the real and ongoing challenges that people with disabilities face every day. The government's support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is at best half-hearted, and by any reasonable accounting the government has stripped about $80 billion from health and education budgets. This is unconscionable. Mr Hunt invites us to walk and talk with him over the course of his two-week trek and we should take him up on the generous offer with enthusiasm. After all, although out of the office, Mr Hunt is on duty; we are paying his wages and we won't even need to make an appointment. Who knows, just as he has raised our awareness of ASD, we may be able to raise his awareness of our deep concerns about the broad sweep of his government's policies, which seem almost on a daily basis to attack concepts of fairness, inclusion and support for the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens. And this is before we even engage with Mr Hunt on refugees, marriage equality, his ministerial responsibilities for environmental matters, his almost laughable direct action program to address carbon emissions, hobbling the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Mr Hunt, what is the problem with wind and solar energy?).
Although I think Greg Hunt’s 500km walk around the Flinders electorate to raise $25,000 for autism is a terrific cause but, as a businessman and taxpayer, I have a few questions. Are taxpayers paying him for the 19-day duration (not bad if he’s getting paid to burn calories and gain publicity) and for the marketing and promotional material? If so, what is the total cost to taxpayers? Does the total cost exceed the expected raised benefit and has this been, or should it have been, sanctioned by anyone other himself? I sincerely hope that this genuine cause is close to Mr Hunt’s heart and not just an elaborate publicity stunt at taxpayers’ expense. Darren Hercus, Safety Beach
Road questions
Unfortunately, the list goes on and on. I look forward to meeting up with Mr Hunt and I hope many others do, too. As we walk and talk with him it could seem a whole lot longer than 500km. But keep walking, Greg. A helicopter would be out of the question. Greg Gilbert, Mt Eliza
Political ploy?
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Having a granddaughter with autism I applaud Flinders MP Greg Hunt on his little march, even though he spent a wad of taxpayer money on a four-colour postage size notification of the event. Having said that, I think that this is just another example of political hypocrisy. While marching for this good cause, Mr Hunt is also a kingpin policy maker in
this governments’ policies that are reducing funding to those with disabilities and those most in need of a safety net. Add to that his “positive” views on local environmental issues and fast tracking open pit coal mines at the expense of our food supply and you pretty much have the moral fibre of his political policies. At a local level, where he has little influence on what happens, he goes all out for our environment but, at a national level where he can influence national policy, it seems he is at complete odds with his local political persona. We might wonder if the march for autism is a political ploy to get votes rather than a commitment to a just cause. Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
I see - and one could not escape it if one lives in the electorate of Flinders and is bombarded with Liberal party propaganda - that Flinders MP Greg Hunt is again endeavouring to raise money for the very deserving cause of caring for people with autism. One has to commend him for his initiative and effort. But it would be of very much greater help for people with disabilities if the Abbott government and the states would fully fund the NDIS (National disability insurance scheme) in perpetuity. This certainty would assist afflicted citizens who have been waiting for too long to be properly looked after. It also would give certainty to carers that their loved ones will be cared for into the future. Of course when it comes to the environment portfolio our member for Flinders is responsible for, many
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