Queensland's LNP newly elected Premier Campbell Newman released his four pillars for his Government: Tourism, Resources, Agriculture and Construction.
The former Labor Minister for Education and the Attorney General Cameron Dick who lost his own seat at the last election in the electoral rout gave five pillars of his own: Equality, Freedom, Fairness, Opportunity, Community (www.brisbanetimes.com.au)
(A) Tourism, Resources, Agriculture and Construction
(B) Equality, Freedom, Fairness, Opportunity, Community
This raises the question as to whether these two very different lists represent the classic philosophical policy focuses of conservative and progressive ideals.
One list is clearly action orientated toward growth and expansion of the State's business opportunities, creating jobs and getting commerce on the move.
The other list clearly sets out a feel-good polity that spells out ideals for each and every person within the State whether they be rich, poor, white collar, blue collar, city, rural, academic, artistic and whatever else takes your fancy.
Both lists are important
Both lists are clearly important and both have political clout but the difference of emphasis between the two lists illustrate where the electorate is as evidenced by the election.
Is there therefore, a case to be made that there are pillars for the times, and in the cycle of political emphases, the current set of pillars of Tourism, Resources, Agriculture and Construction are right on the money, as it were.
Queensland has found itself having its resource arena under pressure affecting jobs, tourism has been lamenting any headway with even several Whitsunday resorts closing their doors; agriculture has been given a particularly tough row to hoe; and construction had to undergo a strict regimen of conservation issues.
A fresh set of ideals
The electorate clearly identified with action rather than imagery. The philosophical picture Cameron Dick has painted is that of a return of the “la tee set” sipping their 'whatever' on the cafes of inner Brisbane. Whether the economic power houses that kept the State going crumble around them is another question entirely.
These ideals of Equality, Freedom, Fairness, Opportunity, Community could easily be construed as Labor's progressiveness as usual - undoubtedly the cycle of politics in Australia will be reversed when these ideals will once again come to the fore when the electorate gets sick and tired of hearing about 'big profits'.
Christian churches and missions are also in this betwixt emphasis. Some denominations, churches and missions will have an emphasis of evangelism action whereas others will have a focus on the broad swathe of social welfare issues. In reality, none of this is new at all.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
