An Open Letter to Malcolm Turnbull
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007Neil & Margaret Holm
Dear Mr Turnbull
Congratulations on your re-election.
We are pleased that you have been successful and pleased that you have put up your hand to become Leader of the Opposition.
We believe that you have much to offer the nation–especially because you are relatively experienced in federal politics! We hope that you may not have picked up as much “baggage” as longer term members.
Perhaps you can bring a new style to the political process, a new style to leadership.
Many people have commented on Kevin Rudd’s inexperience. So far there are indications that he might bring a new style–he speaks of wanting to heal the old divisions!. We were impressed by his behaviour in the House after he became Leader of the Opposition. We appreciated his lack of engagement in what we regard as “bully boy” tactics, his attempt to step aside from the slanging match that we so often see on television.
We see the process in the House as being a denial of genuine Australian values. We see little respect of others who hold different opinions. We see evidence that “might is right”. We see very little evidence of mateship or of consensus.
Even in his recent announcement, Peter Costello referred to “taking the fight up to Labor”. This should not be the language of the 21st Century.
We have been active in the GetUp campaign because we believe that GetUp is a way towards a new style of politics in Australia.
We urge you to think deeply about the political process and to work with Kevin Rudd to create the political system for the 21st Century.