What Should Australia (And Australia Day) Mean To Us? Posted by Geoff Field 25 January, 2012 - 1:23 PM

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Australia Day.

It raises so many emotions.

For me it's a day to celebrate all that is good about the country we live in, although I do reflect on the plight of the original Australians who no doubt have a different outlook on our national day.

But for the most part, it should be a day to celebrate the fact that Australia is an amazing place, where most people get a fair go and co-exist in peace and harmony.

High profile brain surgeon Dr Charlie Teo has caused a bit of a stir with his Australia Day address after revealing his daughter and an Indian friend had been the victims of racial abuse.

Good on him for speaking the truth, because there is still a small minority of people who are racist in this country, and they should be exposed.

But Mr Teo shows us what a fair and considered man he is, when he criticises some ethnic communities who have failed to embrace our values.

He also adds that Australia is the best country in the world to live in.

After reading the full contents of Mr Teo's speech, I agree with what he says and I have 100 percent faith that new generations of Australians will continue to ensure the subject of race becomes an issue that doesn't inflame hatred and intolerance.

Enjoy Australia Day and celebrate the fact that we are a nation that has an distinct identity, but is also open to new ideas and people.

Why gay marriage is a basic human right Posted by Geoff Field 2 December, 2011 - 3:04 PM

Tomorrow is the ALP's big moment. They have a chance to make history and change laws that are outdated and antiquated. Much the same as politicians did in the 80's when they repealed laws which led to the jailing of homosexuals.

Tomorrow ALP delegates will have to decide whether they make a massive step towards equality, or leave part of the population excluded from marrying the person they love.

All gay people want is equality. Nothing more and nothing less.

Why shouldn't same-sex couples who want to spend their lives together be given the right to marry? Until we are given that right, we remain second class citizens.

Don't assume success is as given tomorrow, we have to keep up the fight till the very last minute so politicians know there is a growing movement for change.

I find it extraordinary that Jason and I, who have been together for 17 years, are still not allowed to legally marry in this county.

In fact, I think it's a disgrace.

And don't forget the attitude of the coalition in this debate.

Last year Tony Abbott admitted he was "threatened" by gays.

Oh really?

Why Julia Gillard’s Gay Marriage Conscience Vote Is A Cop Out Posted by Geoff Field 15 November, 2011 - 11:59 AM

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On the very day when a new poll showed increased support for gay marriage, committed atheist Julia Gillard reiterated her view that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

The Nielsen poll showed 62% of Australians support marriage equality. Yet our PM, who lives in a defacto relationship and believes people should read the bible, announced that she preferred a conscience vote on same sex marriage in parliament.

While this may sound fair to some, it effectively means any laws to end discrimination will not get through parliament.

Julia Gillard knows that there are enough members of her party who will vote "No" along with the Coalition to scuttle any attempts to end years of inequality.

Despite this setback I ask people to maintain the rage and continue to sign petitions and attend demonstrations in favour of marriage equality.

Surely Ms. Gillard can't ignore the 71% of voters in her own party that support marriage equality, and the 62% in the general population! But it appears she will and in 20 years time when equality is a given, she will be in the history books for all the wrong reasons.

Over to you - should the government introduce same sex marriage legislation?

Can The Carbon Tax Help Stop Climate Change? Posted by Geoff Field 8 November, 2011 - 2:12 PM

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Let’s get one thing clear.

I believe in climate change and agree with Kevin Rudd that it’s the greatest moral challenge of our generation.

While I believe in listening to all sides of arguments I find it astounding that some commentators refuse to believe the overwhelming majority of scientists, and accuse them of being biased because many of them are on government payrolls.

Excuse me, does that mean we should be suspicious of medical researchers and other such experts?

However on this historic day in which a carbon tax has been passed through the Australian Senate, I have my doubts about this particular way of dealing with the problem.

While I believe pensioners and low income earners should be protected against the tax, I am strongly opposed to handing backs wads of cash to middle class workers to “compensate” them from the tax.

Why bother with the tax, if you are taking with one hand and giving back with the other?

The Gillard government had done a shocking job of formulating and selling this tax.

No wonder every poll shows overwhelming opposition to the carbon tax.

I don’t know what the answer is, but I do not believe the tax in its present form will achieve the desired results of reducing carbon emissions or making consumers more responsible for their actions.

What's the best way for us to address climate change?

Qantas: Back In The Air, But For How Long? Posted by Geoff Field 31 October, 2011 - 3:59 PM

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Qantas… where do I start. Writing a blog about this aviation crisis is one of the most difficult I've ever done.

On one side unions and pilots are worried about job security with jobs heading offshore, while on the other management claim they need to be competitive to survive in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

I do however think it was a bad look that Alan Joyce was given a 2 million dollar bonus just 24 hours before he announced the grounding of the entire Qantas fleet.

On the weekend the normally conservative Pilot's Association claimed the action of grounding of the fleet was "pre-meditated, unnecessary and uncaring".

I'm no aviation expert, so I'm having difficulty working out what the answer to all of this is, but one thing's for sure, the once invincible Qantas is on shaky ground, and I can't see a simple solution in sight.

One thing I will say is that it's going to take a miracle for Qantas to come through this without being severely damaged in the long term.

There are a lot of angry passengers who are unlikely to fly with them again after what happened at the weekend, and would you take the risk of booking Qantas over Christmas/New Year knowing how delicate the situation is?

It's easy to blame the management or the unions, but I still don't know who's right and who's wrong.

At least planes are up in the air again, but for how long? Sunday night's Fair Work Australia hearing has rattled unions, and you can bet they are planning their next move.

It's very sad to see our once great national carrier involved in such a bitter and angry dispute, which is now threatening its very future.

Can Qantas bosses and its employees work together to keep the flying kangaroo in the air?

VIDEO: "I Do" For Aussie Marriage Equality Posted by Geoff Field 14 October, 2011 - 11:45 AM

Earlier this month Geoff and his husband Jason took part in an ad for marriage equality that was filmed at the scene of the recent Monster Hall, the Sydney Town Hall.

The ad features other identities including Dave the farmer from Big Brother and social commentator Mia freedman.

The aim of the ad is to raise awareness of the issue in the lead up to the all important vote at the ALP national conference in December.

Geoff is hopeful both sides of parliament will come on board with the majority of population who are in favour of marriage equality.

A large demonstration is also being planned to coincide with Labor's conference which will be attended by Julia Gillard, who has stated on several occasions she is against gay marriage.

Hopefully politicians will come to realise that all gay people want is the same rights as everyone else, nothing more - or nothing less.