COUNTING THE COST

A team from the Australian Bureau of Statistics is on the island, collecting facts and figures on business activity on the island.
They tell us they are completely independent. But no one is independent if they are commissioned and funded by another body, and get their instructions and terms of reference from that body.
They also tell us that the information they receive will not be identifiable as coming from a particular business. When it is collated, it will all be "averaged out." Well, we are also getting used to the idea that we are going to be treated like "average" Australians.
Nevertheless the ABS fellows are only doing their job. Asking questions and getting answers, with varying degrees of co-operation.
I hear they are getting an earful while they do their rounds. People are telling them that business is doing it tough at the moment, but not nearly as tough as it will be if Canberra takes over. We are used to boom and bust on this island, and we can adapt, make changes and fight back. This is a busy, vibrant little island with loads of potential. And Canberra's "solutions" will do nothing to stimulate our economy.
So what harm can a collection of figures and graphs do?
Our big worry is what Canberra will do with those numbers. How they will twist them to support their message and agenda. They have already made the unfounded assumption that we have not got what it takes to be sustainable.
Through all this torrent of costings and assessments we are undergoing, we must ask:

"What about the human factor?"

Does Canberra realise they are dealing with a community of real people, with emotions and feelings? Do they count?
A young man told me today that he will be heartbroken if Canberra gets its way with the island. Many people have told me that the threats the island is facing actually make them feel depressed and physically ill. They feel a passionate love for their island home and their heritage...........and Canberra doesn't seem to care.
It has been called "bloodless genocide" in one quarter, and as dramatic as that may sound, it is an indication of how people feel about having their unique identity and birthright snatched from them.
Figures and statistics are all very well in their place, but the way of life we enjoy here on this island is priceless. Australia may promise to pour millions into this island if they take control, but they can never compensate us for what we will lose.

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Benjamin Disraeli