Page 513 - Week 02 - Thursday, 14 May 1992
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Consumers lose. Whose side is the Liberal party on? An attachment explains some of the issues.
• Retail Trading hours. I mentioned this in my letter last year. The Liberal party doesnt seem to want to know about the subject even though it commissioned last years review. People like Kate Carnell think shopkeepers would be disadvantaged by deregulation: The subject needs further debate so that the implications are better understood and present fears are dissipated. Trading hours deregulation has recently been identified by the government body EPACT (chairman Fred Gruen) as one of the best ways to boost youth employment. Is the Liberal party interested in this outcome?
• Tourism. This area hats represent one of Canberras best hopes for future private sector development, jobs etc. Im sure the party has a tourism policy but Id be very surprised if it has thoroughly analysed the factors holding back tourism development (see above list of factors affecting competitiveness) and proposed appropriate remedies for them. Industrial relations reform is, of course, a major requirement (penalty rates, youth wages et). So again is the issue of trading hours.
• Taxis. Canberra has a monopoly taxi co-operative. As a result, the service offered is frequently poor and/or arrogant. The high costs of taxi plates (which is possible only as economic rent from the regulatory environment) mean that consumers pay more than they should. In turn, this means that some people cannot afford taxis at all or as often as they would like. While -Canberra is not an easy place to service (skewed demand - high at some times of the day, low at others) there are ways around this type of difficulty (e.g., taxis only on the road at certain times of the day which would be easy if the cost of plates were not so high). The regulatory regime which underpins the present system should be streamlined and preferably done away with altogether.
• Waste watch. The government has recently established a waste watch hotline. It remains to be seen how effective it will be. When I contacted it to obtain the address I was advised to hand deliver my complaint because "not all mail is getting through." What this implies can only be imagined, an ideal matter for the party to pursue. But why not establish your own waste watch group? Past experience with the Federal Libs convinces me that this is a very productive activity. Useful information is brought forward. It puts you in touch with a wider group in the community. And the subsequent promotion of the issues which are raised is very potent politically because it engenders a reaction of outrage among decent people and taxpayers.
• Schools. Last years controversy over funding of non-government schools was a disgrace, showing Labors politics of envy at its worst. I maintain that the Liberal party did not adequately capitalise on it. But it needs to be taken much further. Schooling is a very important issue where real choice can be given to parents if only the funding is directed at the student and no:
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