Rather than the p*ss and wind of
recent weeks, Glenn Milne and his Graydon Carter hairdo have actually
raised a substantial issue in their Australian spot today :

“The Telstra debate might also be playing another role in
the present political tableaux. This time, however, the outcome might
not be so good for the Government. According to Coalition MPs around
Parliament last week, the Telstra/Joyce furore has served to mask a
much more ominous sentiment in the electorate: growing disquiet over
the Government’s proposed industrial relations reforms.”

Indeed.
This strays into voters’ values territory – the sort of territory
claimed by both Barnaby Joyce and Family First’s Steve Fielding in
their maiden speeches over the last fortnight and covered in the
thoughtful piece by Mike Steketee in The Australian last week.

He
wrote: “In 1973, the Whitlam government spent 20.4 per cent of its
first budget on social security and welfare. This year, the Howard
Government set aside 42.5 per cent of its total spending for the same
purpose. Or if you prefer that in actual dollars, Canberra’s welfare
bill was $2.2 billion in 1973 and is $88 billion this year. That points
not only to how the economy has changed but also society. Overall, we
are much richer but also much more vulnerable. Marriage breakdowns,
drug taking, gambling, suicides, child abuse, mental health problems
and crime rates have soared…”

Steketee added: “The human as well
as economic dimension has direct relevance to the debate on industrial
relations. The Government is on the back foot precisely because of the
loss of control over employees’ lives implied by stripping away more
workplace regulations.”

That’s where the values dimensions start
coming in. Take one basic issue that the Government has had plenty to
say about – fertility. The Nationals at least should know that if you
want women to reproduce you must supply the right conditions. It’s
basic animal husbandry. Could someone please mention this to the
Treasurer and Kevin Andrews.