Australia's new Coalition Government

I thought I would take some time to record some of my thoughts and impressions just as the new government selects its Ministry and begins to actually govern. I admit to following federal politics quite closely in the media and as I live near and work in Canberra I have some knowledge, although I hasten to add that I have no contact with any person involved and my work is not relevant to any political issue. I have never been a member of any political party and have actually voted on both sides. These days, I lean to the left more than the right, but I was so dismayed by the last election offering that I did not give my vote to any major party. Well, Tony Abbott has announced that while the Lodge is being renovated he will live in the Australian Federal Police College, which looks very monastic and where he can self-flagellate in its well-equipped gym. His Cabinet boasts only one woman, who,one cartoonist observes, will be away overseas most of the time. It has the effect of making this woman feel just as alienated and excluded as I do from the Catholic Church. The Ministry includes a minister for Sport but no Minister for Science. This fact has been roundly criticised by Dr Dennis Jensen of WA, himself with a PhD in materials science and physics. I fear that this is not a mere oversight but a bow to those in the party that have previously dismissed intellectuals as a chattering elite. Is this evidence that they have thrown their hats in with climate change deniers and other ratbags and will just put a finger up to concerns about the environment, climate change and clean energy? Jensen is also critical of the paid parental leave plan. This is the most breath-taking waste of money I have ever seen. Designed to show that Abbott is not a misogynist and 'gets' women, yet he can't find more than one woman fit for Cabinet. This is meant to be a 'no surprises' government. So far I am not surprised. I am appalled.