tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18815215.post3581179731066848981..comments2024-03-03T19:26:23.287+11:00Comments on Open and Shut: Report due in NY next month on government support for civil societyPeter Timminshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04589018910216965607noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18815215.post-4769474593206240732014-08-24T21:50:13.547+10:002014-08-24T21:50:13.547+10:00My comment below relates specifically to the fundi...My comment below relates specifically to the funding cuts to community legal centres and the article "Community Legal Centres Targeted in Coalition Cuts"<br /><br />Everything that has been stated in that article clearly shows that this country's politicians and policies are just as morally bankrupt as any other. Gagging clauses are not new. Just look at what the Guardianship Tribunal and its cohorts the Public Trustee & Guardian can do to anyone who tries to expose their breaches of human rights and callous behaviour towards their wards and their families. They do so with total impunity because they can – the legislation allows them to do so! There is no effective avenue for complaint. These govt. funded organisations whose role it is to investigate complaints are simply paper tigers - none of them will bite the hand that feeds them.<br /><br />The Government's problem with Community Law Centres is that they do their job too well. Highlighting the gross deficiencies of current laws and practices is not what any politician or government wants to hear or see. Rather, they prefer to be seen as doing something when in fact they are doing nothing at all. A broken system is not an issue of concern for our Government and its politicians as long as it continues to promote their spin and propaganda and delude the general public. <br /><br />To acknowledge the need for urgent law reforms or improved services to protect the rights of this country's citizens and actually do something positive about it requires a different type of politician. Unfortunately, not one of them has the moral fortitude, character or sense of decency to actually do anything about it. Instead, they prefer to kill the messenger.<br /><br />Before this Government decries the policies of other countries they need look no further than their own front door.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com