THE BIG PICTURE AND THE DETAIL

I am not into stereotyping and generalising about people...not even Aussie politicians. I do not believe that all politicians are automatically power-hungry, or corrupt, or out to serve their own or vested interests. Most people would go into politics with a sincere and genuine desire to make their town, their district, their country and the world a better place. They deserve encouragement and a pat on the back, because they have to live with long hours, lots of travelling, long absence from family, public scrutiny, and the task of making difficult decisions which impact on people's lives.
However, you cannot deny that however sincere and genuine their intentions, once they are in politics, politicians rarely avoid becoming captive to agenda far bigger than their original motivation. It starts with party politics and government policies, and as they rise up the ladder, they are often at the mercy of their departmental advisors, in a "Yes Minister" type scenario.They simply cannot hope to absorb all the information, implications and background of the issues they deal with themselves. They do not have the time or resources!
Politicians in yet more senior positions have an even "bigger picture" to deal with ..... issues of national interest and security, energy resources, trade, regional stability, treaties and alliances, and international conventions.
When all the issues are weighed up, is it any wonder that the individual person, district or interest group often comes off second best? Is it any wonder that truth and smaller interests are sometimes victims?
Take our distinguished visitor this week - no doubt an honourable man, doing a difficult job (Foreign Affairs) to the best of his ability. But he has a few worries with the Australian Wheat Board Issue. Such as who knew what was going on, and who wasn't telling, and what measures were taken to be sure the kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime were kept under wraps. We must await the Cole Inquiry's findings before anyone passes judgement on any group or individual, but you can be sure that truth and justice were casualties somewhere along the line in the cause of "bigger interests."
No, your average politician is not always free to pursue his own vision of what is good and right and beneficial. "Integrity" and "truth" become relative terms. Those who come close to it are the independents or members of minior parties who are in a position to sway the numbers. Which is why many Aussies have become disenchanted with the major parties.
The Australian states are fighting their own battle with the process of placing all the economic and financial control in the hands of the Federal Government. Gradually, state powers are being eroded. It is a long-term policy. It may be an inevitable process, but your average Queenslander, Territorian or Tassie "Islander" is not necessarily happy about it. We know how they feel. The PM has said, referring to services and benefits "People do not care where it comes from, as long as they get it." But really most people would rather have their services delivered by real people, with a hands-on, live-in understanding of local needs. Thriving and vibrant local communities are the best guarantee of the well-being and welfare of the individual.
I am not sure what the "bigger picture" is in the Norfolk Island situation, although I am fairly sure it is not genuinely being driven by our current financial figures and outlook. Regional Security and Stability? Bureaucratic streamlining? Energy Resources? Defence strategies? Territorial limits?
It is quite probable that all those politicians that we lobby and appeal to really have their hands tied, and even those who would like to speak out on our behalf are not free to do so.
Which is why those of us who are affected, who really care about this beautiful place, must try and make sure our voices are heard loud and clear.