Andrew Leigh

I have an opinion piece in today's National Times on immigration and the mining boom: two of the intersecting challenges that Australia is going to be wrestling with over coming decades.

Boom times need not be a bust, National Times, 9 August 2012

Australia's resource boom is such a colossal shock that it can be hard to get your head around its many impacts. Try these facts, for example. In Moranbah (Qld), the average house price over the past year has risen from $459,000 to $730,000. Hundreds of Australians now work as fly-in, fly-out workers, including some who have chosen to commute from Bali. The cost of developing the Gorgon gas project will be $43 billion – about the GDP of Lebanon. Historically, Western Australia has had a similar level of inequality to other states. Now, it's the most unequal jurisdiction in the nation.

With some of my Labor colleagues, I've been spending time recently working to better understand the diverse impacts of the mining boom, and thinking about how best to spread the benefits across society. We've spoken with mining firms and construction companies, unions and social welfare groups, discussing both the upsides and the challenges.

Some current concerns mirror those from the gold rushes. In 1851, Tasmania's governor was concerned that so many labourers were leaving his state to work in the mines that there wouldn't be enough people to work on the farms. In 1852, Victoria's governor lamented that "the most extravagant rent is paid for the most indifferent accommodation". And while the Gillard government has had to fight for the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, the debate looks tame alongside the tax conflict that led to the Eureka Stockade.

Immigration was also a hot topic in the 1850s and 1860s, with sometimes shocking racism directed towards Chinese migrants (culminating in the brutal Lambing Flat Riots). Today we have a non-discriminatory migration policy, but the challenge remains of how to make sure that there are enough people to get the job done, while not displacing local workers.

One way that this can occur is through temporary migration – particularly the 457 visa, which allows skilled workers to stay for up to four years. In 2010, my colleague Gary Gray chaired a committee that recommended allowing mega projects a guarantee of a certain number of temporary visas, in exchange for commitments to local employment and training. These guarantees, known as Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs), have generated plenty of political controversy over recent months. But judging by our consultations, most people accept that EMAs are going to be one way of making certain that major projects are delivered on time.

Indeed, once you speak with those who are directly involved, the simple dichotomy of "foreigners versus locals" quickly disappears. If a resource project cannot get off the ground without 1700 temporary overseas workers, then the jobs of the 6000 Australians who will work on that project depend on overseas migration.

Temporary migration is also an important way of transferring skills and remittances to people in developing nations. Harvard economist Dani Rodrik has argued that well-managed guest worker programs are as important for helping people in low-income nations as trade and aid. While it's vital to ensure that these programs don't undercut Australian wages and conditions, it's also worth recognising the benefits to a poor nation of having one of its engineers work for a few years in Australia before returning home.

At a time of sky-high minerals prices, companies and policymakers need to make sure that as many Australians as possible are getting a slice of the action. The young mining engineer sitting next to me on the flight from Perth to Brisbane sounded like he was enjoying his six-figure salary and the chance to use the skills he'd learnt at university. But he also told me the story of friends in his home town of Melbourne who had struggled to break into the industry. We need to do more to make mining jobs accessible to Australians in all parts of the country (for example, through job roadshows in areas of higher unemployment).

It's also vital to train the next generation. Because it's so capital-intensive, mining has typically had relatively few openings for unskilled workers. But while not everyone can drive a 300-tonne mining truck straight away, there are many opportunities for providing training and apprenticeships to people working in the mining sector. Over coming decades, we'll move from a high-price mining industry to a high-volume sector.

The effects of the mining boom on housing and employment, migration and taxation are here to stay. But by getting the policy settings right, we can ensure that the benefits of the mining boom really do spread to every corner of the nation.

Andrew Leigh is the federal member for Fraser and deputy chairman of the federal Labor Party's Spreading the Benefits of the Mining Boom subcommittee. These views are his own.

My Chronicle column this month is on volunteering, telling the tale of a Canberran who got active in her local community.

Volunteering can have a snowball effect, The Chronicle, August 2012

One of my passions in public life is revitalising Australia’s civic culture. Over the past generation, Australians have become more disconnected from one another. We’re less likely to be active members of a community group, and less likely to play an organised sport. Churches, unions and political parties are losing members. Surveys show that we have fewer close friends, and are less likely to know our neighbours.

That’s why it’s great to see individuals and organisations that are bucking the trend, and becoming more engaged. Recently, 27 year-old Julianne Livingston told me the story of how she had become more connected. Growing up in a relatively introverted household, Julianne wasn’t particularly civic-minded as a teenager, but she told me that in her mid-twenties, she had ‘began to long for a stronger sense of genuine connectedness and trust within my community’.

Over the past couple of years, Julianne has undergone her own civic renaissance. She joined the public speaking club Rostrum, has volunteered to help animals, joined her union, and has committed to donating blood regularly. She plans on holding a street party, and writes to MPs that she agrees or disagrees with.  After I gave a speech about building a stronger community, Julianne wrote to me: ‘Thank you for reminding me how important, and easy, it is to strengthen my civic connectedness.’  I expect Julianne’s next message will take issue with something I’ve said in parliament.

Civic activity fits into busy lives. For example, if you volunteer with friends, you can catch up while helping a good cause.

If this sounds overly virtuous, you’re getting the wrong picture. Julianne told me that life is more fun when you’re involved in local organisations. As a university student, she said, ‘I think I was a bit more self-centred’. Now, she said, ‘I feel more empowered. So when there’s an issue that angers me, I feel like I can shape it, rather than complaining about it.’

When Julianne sees something on the news she disagrees with, she fires off an email. What’s more, she encourages others to do the same. Her volunteering has put her in contact with a more diverse range of people, in terms of age, ethnicity and social background. As a result of volunteering, Julianne finds that she is better able to appreciate the different ways that her workmates do their job.

In the last Australian Bureau of Statistics survey that asked volunteers why they gave their time, the number one reason was that someone asked them to volunteer. For every person who volunteers because of an advertisement or a media article (like this one!), seven people volunteer because of a personal request.

Julianne now finds herself encouraging friends and workmates to volunteer – a positive snowballing effect. It’s a great reminder of the fact that a civic renaissance in Australia can’t be driven by government. All of us can be a part of rebuilding community life, and volunteering is a great place to start.

Andrew Leigh is the federal member for Fraser, and the author of Disconnected (UNSW Press, 2010). His website is www.andrewleigh.com.

From Monday 3 September, Canberrans will be able to access both Medicare and Centrelink services in a single facility on Lonsdale Street, Braddon. The co-location will provide greater convenience, and will offer additional services such as a trial of Case Coordination for more complex job-seeking situations. I'm a big fan of trying new things to see what works in public policy and it's great to see this happening in my own electorate.

Despite a misleading scare campaign, it's clear that with the disabled parking spots out the front, the convenient location to Civic Bus Interchange and bus routes 7, 56 and 58 passing through Braddon, access to important services will still be easy.

More information is available in the media release below, or you can call my office on 6247 4396 or email me at Andrew.Leigh.MP {at} aph.gov.au if you have any additional queries.

MEDIA RELEASE

SENATOR KIM CARR

Minister for Human Services

DR ANDREW LEIGH MP

Member for Fraser7 August 2012

ONE-STOP-SHOP OPENS NEXT MONTH

Centrelink and Medicare services will work side-by-side under one roof for the convenience of Canberra residents as of Monday 3 September.

Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr and Dr Andrew Leigh announced that Canberra City residents would benefit from easier access to services at the one-stop-shop.

Member for Fraser, Dr Andrew Leigh welcomed the new centre to Braddon.

“Both Medicare and Centrelink services will be available from the Canberra City Service Centre at 13 Lonsdale Street, Monday to Friday,” Dr Leigh said.

“All staff and services currently provided by the Medicare Service Centre at Savings House, 8 Petrie Plaza will relocate to the new one-stop-shop on Lonsdale Street.

“Despite the scare campaign being run by Senator Humphries, the new facility is a benefit for the Canberra community. It will offer additional services such as electronic payment and Case Coordination. The disabled parking spots right out the front and location close to Civic will mean the facility is easily accessible.”



Dr Leigh said the one-stop-shop will offer new electronic payment options for Medicare services, in place of cash benefits.

“People can register their bank details to have their rebate deposited directly to their bank account the next business day. Alternatively they can swipe their debit card to receive their funds immediately,” said Dr Leigh.

“Registering your bank account details is easy and gives you the added option of claiming some benefits online or directly at your local doctor. Staff from the Civic Medicare Service Centre can advise which doctors in your area offer this facility.”

In addition to these services, Senator Kim Carr announced that the Canberra City Service Centre will also be introducing a trial of the Case Coordination program.

“Case Coordination is about finding tailored solutions for people with complex problems which are preventing them from realising their goals and aspirations, such as finding and keeping a job,” Senator Kim Carr said.

“Trained staff spend time one-on-one with people to better understand their circumstances.

“By getting the full picture of a person’s situation, staff can connect them with local community organisations that can provide the best individualised help.

Senator Kim Carr said the Government is expanding the number of locations across Australia where people can access Centrelink and Medicare services in one spot, as well as the number of sites offering the Case Coordination program.

"There are already more than 320 extra sites where both Medicare and Centrelink services can be accessed and there will be many more to come," Senator Kim Carr said.

“The Case Coordination program started in 2011 and is currently running at 20 sites.

“We intend to have 44 sites offering Case Coordination by 2014, so that more people around Australia can access this new way of providing services.”

Mark Parton hosted me on 2CC this morning to talk about my GP survey. We also had a brief chat about the Olympics, as well as Tony Abbott's hypocrisy on free speech.

Practice details	Contact details	Cost of consultation if paid at time	Do you bulk bill?	Opening hours	New patients
Belconnen Health Co-Op	30 Totterdell Street BELCONNEN Phone: 02 6251 0005	$33 if you have Medicare annually and $16.50 annually if you have a healthcare card.	Bulk billed for members.	Weekday: 8:30AM - 5:30PM	Yes.
Belconnen Medical Centre	Shop 106 Level 1 Westfield Shoppingtown Benjamin Way BELCONNEN Phone: 02 6251 8898	$65	Yes. *HCC *PNS *CHN	Weekday: 9:00 AM-5:30 PM Saturday: 9:30 PM - 2:00 PM Sunday: 3:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Charnwood Health Co-Op - Charnwood	20 Cartwright Street CHARNWOOD Phone: 02 6258 0355	$33 if you have Medicare annually and $16.50 annually if you have a healthcare card.	Bulk billed for members.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM	Yes.
Companion House - Cook Refugee and Asylum seeker	41 Templeton Street COOK Phone: 02 6251 4550	Completely bulk billed. It is a non-profit organisation.	N/A	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 AM	Refugee and asylum seekers only.
Dr M A Nambiar Family Practice	7 Beissel Street, Unit 14. BELCONNEN Phone: 02 6251 5055	$65-$140.	Up to doctors discretion.*CHN	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 AM	Yes.
Florey Medical Centre	Kesteven Street. FLOREY Phone: 02 6259 1444	$75	No.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Yes.
Ginninderra Medical and Dental Centre	Corner Nettlefold Street & Coulter Drive. BELCONNEN Phone: 02 6112 7111	Medicare card holders are bulk-billed.	Yes.	Weekday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM	Yes.
Giralang Surgery	Child Health Building Menkar Close GIRALANG Phone: 02 6241 6161	$75 but will change August.	Yes. *HCC *PNS *CHN	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM	Yes.
Hawker Medical Practice	3 Hawker Place. HAWKER Phone: 02 6255 2400	$75	No.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sunday: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM	Yes.
University of Canberra Health & Counselling Centre	Building 1 Level B University of Canberra Kirinari Street BRUCE Phone: 02 6201 2351	As decided by doctor, but will usually range from $55-75. Staff of UC are discounted.	Bulk billed for Australian students of UC.	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Higgins Medical Centre	Suite 2 3 Higgins Place HIGGINS Phone: 02 6254 8821	$75	Yes. *PNS *HCC	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Not assured.
Holt Medical Centre	Holt Place. HOLT Phone: 02 6254 3324	Unable to determine	No	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM	No
Jamison Medical Clinic	Unit 2 Jamison Shopping Centre Bowman Street MACQUARIE Phone: 02 6251 2300	$70	No.	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM	No.
Kaleen Professional Centre	149 Maribyrnong Avenue. KALEEN Phone: 02 6241 3948	$70	Yes. *HCC *PNS *CONC	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Yes.
North Canberra Family Practice	Unit 1B 5B Chandler Street. BELCONNEN Phone: 02 6251 9006	$75	Up to doctor's discretion.	Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Yes.
Scullin Medical Practice	Shop 1 Scullin Shopping Centre Scullin Arcade SCULLIN Phone: 02 6278 3488	Medicare card holders are bulk-billed.	Yes.	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM	Yes.
Spence Medical Centre	2 Glassey Place SPENCE Phone: 02 6258 5981	$65	Yes. *HCC *PNS *CHN	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM	Yes.
Tillyard Drive Medical Centre	123 Tillyard Drive. CHARNWOOD Phone: 02 6259 7216	First appointment $105, standard $70	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM	Yes.
Gungahlin General Practice	Gungahlin Town Centre 129 Hinder Street GUNGAHLIN. Phone: 02 6241 0888	$75	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM	Yes.
Gungahlin Medical Centre	43-49 Hibberson Street. GUNGAHLIN Phone: 02 6255 0888	$75	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Yes.
Palmerston Medical Centre	Palmerston Shopping Centre Tiptree Crescent PALMERSTON Phone: 02 6242 9464	$65	No.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM	No.
ANU Health Service	Ground Floor Sports Union Building 18 North Road. ACTON Phone: 02 6125 3598	$75 for unaffiliated. $66 for staff of ANU.	Bulk billed for students of ANU.	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Ainslie Family Practice	21 Edgar Street AINSLIE. Phone: 02 6249 7177	$77	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM	Yes.
Barton General Practice	Suite 2 3 Sydney Avenue BARTON Phone: 02 6295 0424	$85	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Yes.
Blamey Place General Practice	Campbell Shopping Centre Blamey Place CAMPBELL Phone: 02 6249 7533	$70	No.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM	Yes.
City Family Practice	Floor 6 CPA Building 161 London Circuit CANBERRA Phone: 02 6248 0900	$75	No.	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Dickson Health Centre	Antill Street. DICKSON Phone: 02 6248 6677	Medicare card holders are bulk-billed.	Yes.	Weekday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Dickson Medical and Travel Clinic	Suite 5 Dickson Park Professional Centre 151 Cowper Street. DICKSON Phone: 02 6257 3853	$75	Yes. Discretion of doctor.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM	Yes.
Garema Place Surgery	Floor 1 Florina Building Garema Place CITY Phone: 02 6257 1000	$75	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Interchange General Practice	Level 3 28 University Avenue CITY Phone: 02 6247 5742	$75	Not usually. At discretion of doctor.	Saturday: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Weekday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM	No.
Majura Medical Centre	Shop 3 151 Cowper Street DICKSON Phone: 02 6247 5833	$75	No.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM	Yes.
Wakefield Gardens General Practice	99 Wakefield Gardens AINSLIE. Phone: 02 6257 4086	$70	No.	Weekday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM	No.
Watson Medical Centre	34 Windeyer Street WATSON Phone: 02 6248 7005	$75	Under 5, PNS and CONC are discounted.	Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30 AM - 6:15 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Yes.
Wattle Street Medical Practice	83 Wattle Street. O’CONNOR Phone: 02 6247 4807	$73	Doctor's discretion.	Weekday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Yes.
TriStar Medical Group	11/100 Eastern Valley Way BRUCE Phone: 02 6253 5444	Medicare card-holders are bulk-billed (except for WorkCover patients)	Yes.	Weekday: 8:00AM – 8:00 PM Saturday & Sunday: 8:00AM – 6:30PM	Yes.
YourGP@Lyneham	60 Brigalow St LYNEHAM Phone: 02 6162 2701	$75	No.	Monday - Friday: 8:30AM – 5:30PM	Yes.

Note that fees do not take account of the Medicare rebate (currently $35.60).

UPDATE 6/12/2012: You can now use an online directory which shows the addresses, opening times and phone numbers of GP clinics, pharmacies, emergency departments and hospitals in towns and cities across Australia.

The National Health Services Directory (www.nhsd.com.au) is a free service developed to provide patients accurate information about local health services wherever they are, whenever they want.

My latest survey is on Australia's humanitarian migrant intake. I'm interested in hearing from everyone, although I will take particular note of the responses from the Fraser electorate (given that they’re the people I have the honour to represent). You can fill in the survey below:

Today's AFR runs a cut-down version of Jason DeParle's New York Times magazine piece on family structure and mobility. They asked me to write a short column on the Australian situation to accompany it.

Family Dynamics Affect Poverty, Australian Financial Review, 3 August 2012, R7

There are two polar views on why poverty persists across generations. On the hardline conservative view, poverty is the result of bad choices: not staying in school, not taking a job, not waiting to have a child. At the other end of the spectrum is the view that poverty is simply a lack of money. Provide enough income support, and intergenerational poverty will disappear.

In our hearts, most of us know that neither of these views can be right. And yet many progressives have found the conservative view so harsh that we have recoiled from any discussion about the role that families play in determining children’s outcomes.

Friendly fire can also be a risk. When US Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan issued a report in 1965 finding that poverty among African-Americans was partly driven by high rates of lone parenthood, he was criticised by many on the left for ‘blaming the victim’. Moynihan’s point – that it’s easier to raise a child with two adults than one – was misinterpreted as an attack on black sole parents.

In Australia, 19 percent of Australian children (and 34 percent of Indigenous children) live in lone parent households, up from about 10 percent in the late-1970s. The rise in lone parent households doesn’t have much to do with separation; it’s mostly driven by lower partnering rates.

Crunching census statistics, Monash University’s Genevieve Heard finds that the decline in partnering is strongly related to socioeconomic status. By their early-40s, 16 percent of university-trained men were not in a partnership, compared with 32 percent among men without qualifications. A similar story emerges for women. Since the 1990s, there has been a divergence across educational lines. University graduates are just as likely to partner up as they were in the 1990s, but partnering rates have fallen for the least educated. The result? Disadvantaged children have fewer parents in their homes than in the past.

Nothing has made me more in awe of single parents than having children. When both our boys are ill, my wife and I sometimes shake our heads and ask ‘how do sole parents do it?’. From speaking with constituents who are raising children on their own, I know what enormous sacrifices they make. Part of the problem with the current debate over family structure and child outcomes is that it ends up making single parents feel guilty, while letting absent parents off scot free. A better approach is the one that Barack Obama took in a speech delivered on Father’s Day 2008: ‘What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child – any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.’

Until now, I’ve focused on the impact of family structure on children’s outcomes. But an emerging literature suggests that parenting style matters too. In the US, researchers have shown that children of higher-educated parents are more likely to read books, and less likely to watch television. Affluent parents are less likely to use corporal punishment. Observing a small sample of families with toddlers, a pair of researchers found that professional parents addressed about 2000 words per hour to their children, while parents receiving welfare benefits addressed about 500 words per hour to their children.

We know less about this issue in Australia, but the evidence that exists seems to point in the same direction. In her analysis of Australian data, University of Chicago researcher Ariel Kalil and co-authors compare pre-schoolers with a university-educated mother with pre-schoolers whose mother does not have a high school qualification. They find that children with more highly-educated mothers average 22 minutes a day of reading and colouring, while children with lower-educated mothers average 16 minutes a day. Consequently, the two groups of children arrive at school with quite different levels of preparation. As a politician, this work screams out to me the need to get Australia’s best teachers in front of our most disadvantaged pupils.

The University of Chicago’s Susan Mayer once wrote a book titled What Money Can’t Buy, in which she discussed how her thinking on poverty had evolved. Over time, Mayer acknowledged, she had come to focus less on money, and more on social and cultural explanations for poverty. Understanding the family dynamics of poverty can help us craft smarter policy solutions.

For too long, progressives have been scared off issues of family structure and parenting by a fear of being misinterpreted as blaming some of the hardest-working people in society. But we should not ignore the body of scholarship showing that if we want to cut poverty and boost mobility, we must think seriously about what happens inside families.

Andrew Leigh is the federal member for Fraser, and the author of Disconnected (UNSW Press, 2010). His website is www.andrewleigh.com.

On Sky AM Agenda, I spoke with host Kieran Gilbert and Liberal MP Steve Ciobo about Australia's strong pipeline of mining investment, the review of the Fair Work Act, and how policymakers should respond to changes in the media landscape.

On ABC24, I spoke with Nick Grimm about my speech The Naked Truth? Media and Politics in the Digital Age.

I gave the inaugural 'Challenge Your Mind' lecture at the University of Canberra today, speaking on the topic of the media and politics.


The Naked Truth? Media and Politics in the Digital Age*

Andrew Leigh MP
Federal Member for Fraser
www.andrewleigh.com

‘Challenge Your Mind’ University of Canberra Public Lecture Series
1 August 2012

The Truth, Naked

At the end of 1992, a team of us got together at Sydney University to run for the student newspaper, Honi Soit. We needed a name with a hint of journalistic credibility and a bucketload of electoral appeal, and so we opted to call ourselves ‘The Naked Truth’.

We threw ourselves into the campaign with the kind of frisky eagerness only a dozen 20 year-olds can muster. By day we sang our campaign song to bemused classes, removing much of our clothing to reinforce the team name. By night we put up posters and chalked ‘The Naked Truth’ around the campus. One of our team, Verity Firth, even brought along her younger brother Charles to help out. A class of medical students promised to vote for us en bloc if a member of the Naked Truth team would streak through their lecture hall. One of us obliged.

And so my year as a journalist began. I interviewed Andrew Denton, Henri Szeps and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, went inside Long Bay jail and a submarine, spoke to a magician, a monk and a basketball commentator, and wrote about child sponsorship, biblical literalism and virtual reality machines. In a display of youthful chutzpah, I also reviewed a handful of sports cars, making me (I hope) the only motoring writer in the history of student journalism. When the 1993 election came around, I managed to get Keating and Hewson to answer twenty questions apiece.[1] The year even got me my first article in the Sydney Morning Herald, on illegal street racing.

I loved journalism, but even at the level of student journalism I found it hard. Pitching stories. Separating beef from bulldust. Staying objective. Since writing for Honi, I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words in newspapers: all of them opinion.

Because of that, I approach the topic of journalism with a modicum of trepidation. Plus, because I’m a politician, you should probably regard my views on journalists as akin to the views that a kangaroo has about gun ownership.

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