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Politics and activism transport

Moving forward

Julia Gillard apparently mentioned “Moving forward” some 22 times during her press conference today announcing the election.

“Moving forward.”

It sounds vaguely familiar. Ah yes:

Connex: Moving forward

Well, it worked for them.

Update: Had a text message from an ex-Connex management person saying they are “very proud” their slogan has been recycled!

Also: Renowned author and former Keating speechwriter Don Watson doesn’t like the phrase: People think the only way you can make a political point or persuade people of an argument is to treat them like imbeciles.

By Daniel Bowen

Transport blogger / campaigner and spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association / professional geek.
Bunurong land, Melbourne, Australia.
Opinions on this blog are all mine.

7 replies on “Moving forward”

Like ye knights of olde, may this be a gentlemanly (and gentlewomanly, don’t want to exclude anyone) joust, one which will last five weeks and decide our country’s future! I hope we can debate the issues over the next five weeks in a way that may be informative and constructive, and not degenerate into insults! I will do my best to abide by these rules, and hope not to insult or offend anyone!! This will be the most important election of our lifetimes, so we must do our best to be informed!!
Having said that, let us throw down the gauntlet, and have at it knights!!

I tried to count the “moving forward” and “looking forward” references too, might have lost track somewhat, but I got it at about 25!

Andrew V, just what makes this particular election “the most important in our lifetimes”? I can’t think of any major election when someone has not made the same or a similiar statement. Australia seems to me to have very few troubles at the moment when compared to the number and magnitude of problems facing the USA.

I have absolutely zero idea who I’m voting for. My local member is Petro Georgiou who is retiring, I would actually have voted for him, even though I detest Tony Abbott with every fibre of my being. I have no idea who the Labor or Greens Candidates are, though I imagine they’ll be hanging out at the station at least one morning in the next few weeks and we’re bound to get information stuffed in our letter boxes.

But looking at the leaders and some of their policies I can’t rightly vote for either of the major parties… and frankly I don’t think the Greens are good at much more than turning up to rallies and holding up those triangular signs, and even if they did somehow manage to attain real power we’d see they’re just as bad as the rest.

Pretty much the same with the coming State Election as well… definitely not voting Labor, but Ted has done nothing to earn my vote either.

One disenchanted voter here :)

To answer your question Jed, this current government has racked up billions of dollars in debt to give us burning roofs and useless rooms in schools, along with a myriad of other wasteful products- this was supposedly to save us from the GFC, but instead will likely be a burden on our country in years to come, much like how the $13 trillion debt is becoming a great concern in your country of birth. it will also give us a broadband network that by the time it is complete, will become obsolete! This was not the case under Howard, who left us with a healthy surplus! My point is, that in my opinion, and many people may not see this, is that the choice of govenment will determine significantly different courses for this country! Do we want to hold on to the traditions which made this country great, or do we want to “move forward” to some sort of moral relativism, where there is no right or wrong? Well, in my opinion it is, don’t know about anyone else!!

And to Nathan, I would suggest following the news, read as much as you can, and read comments such as this blog, and see if that helps you make up your own mind! if that doesn’t help, there’s always the donkey vote!!

Not sure why Julia Gillard had to mention that phrase so many times – boring after a while.
PS Would be a shame if our first and only female prime minister only lasted 8 weeks in office. Even Joan Kirner did better than that!

I’m getting flashbacks to meetings with managements types saying “going forwards” rather than let their grammar say that for them. Cathy thinks they say it rather than saying “um”, but I don’t know – I’m pretty sure management – and politicians – try to speak as much as they can without actually saying anything.

What happened to the “dislike” voting?

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