So where was I? Thats right heading off to Canberra to take part in the Deliberation Poll. I have to say it was a fascinating experience. 350 ordinary Australians from all across the country, none of us quite sure why we were chosen, and 40 Muslim Australians. We were taking part in what was the 5th Deliberation Poll. This one, Muslims and Non Muslims in Australia. We were divided into groups of about 14, with a manager and a facilitator, to discuss various questions relating to the issue. We then came together in Plenary sessions in either the Representatives or Senate Chambers in the old Parliament House. Fascinating in itself just being in such a place. The Plenary sessions were led by three of Australia's most well known ex Parliamentarians including former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, former Leader of the National Party and speaker of the House, Ian Sinclair a former quiz show champion, ALP member and President of the ALP Barry Jones.

The panellists included Cardinal G Pell, Mohammad Abdulla, Gill Hicks, who lost both her legs in the July bombings in London, and various others both Muslim and Non Muslim, representing all spectrums of opinion from very radical to conservative. Mohanmmad Abdula is the Imam of the Brisbane Mosque firebombed after 9/11. His wife he told us is Irish. His in-laws love Guiness!

The discussions were lively and at times fractious. with views from no more Muslim immigration to setting up a Sharia law Caliphate espoused and debated. We ate in the Members dining room in Old Parlaiment House and in the Great Hall of the New, which incidentally was just slightly less expensive than Scotland's Holyrood!!! The weekend was capped ny Bob Hawke singing with 4 young Muslim girls 'Waltzing Matilda'!! He has a fine voice. I did offer him a spot at the National Folk Festival over Easter. Sadly he declined!

I can think of few countries, if any, where a former Prime Minister could or would spend so much time with so many ordinary citizens without lots of men and women in dark suits with funnny bulges and talking into their lapels surrounding them. A great country this. That was only the first weekend of the month.

Going to Canberra I missed the Clipsal 500 the V8 super car races here in Adelaide. 4 days of motor racing through the street circuit in (almost) the centre of the city. Over the 4 days almost 280,000 people attended. Racing and weather were wonderful I'm told. Some people complain about the traffic changes, the disturbance, the noise etc. Most enjoy the fact that Adelaide is on the Map, well at least is being televised all over the world.

The following weekend was the Adelaide Cup, a horse race. Not nearly as big as or worth anything like the Melbourne Cup (that of course is in November) but we have a public holiday for it anyway! We had a Cup Hat Party at friends (the Dinner party group) and I did not pick the winner! The Cup was run on the Monday, but the weekend was taken up by Womadelaide a festival of world music. Now an annual event in the parklands, it is part of the Festival Fringe which also is annual, unlike the Adelaide Festival of arts which is biannual.

So a very busy Adelaide in March. Also appearing here this month were Ralph McTell, Vin Garbutt who is a very talented folk singer raconteur from Tyne Tees and Alistair Hullet and Dave Swarbrick. "Swarb' of course almost a folk icon. This his first time back in OZ since a double lung transplant about 2 years ago. Every Monday a friend and I go to lunch in one of my (and his) favourite pubs, The Earl of Leicester. It has restuarant class dining room and great service and people running it. One of the activities is the beer legends challenge. This entails drinking (at last count) 94 different beers from around the world, sadly no McEwans. It is your choice how long you take. Kevin and I would have a couple each lunch. We took 300 plus days to earn the T shirt. The fastest was completed in 7 days!! At an average price of $6:50 a drink, not only his liver but his bank balance would be shuddering!

We have just had new carpet in our bedroom, courtesy of the insurance company. We had a leak from the shower. All fixed now and must say no fuss or bother from the company. On the subject of water we have had our first "appreciable "rain in 60+ days, it was long and steady and soaking. More of the same please.

Sporting wise, Adelaide Unitetd have played 2 games in Asian Champions League. Lost 0-1 at home (an own goal) to Champions of china and beat Vietnam's Champions 2-0 in Vietnam. Australian cricket team seems to have recovered from its fumbles so World Cup look out! On a political note March saw the first anniversary of the governments Work Choice Legislation. The government praises it, saying it has led to more employment and prosperity. The opposition says the opposite (well they would wouldn't they?) Employers say its marvellous. Unions the opposite, again they would wouldn't they. The actuality is a bit of both. However it has undermined workers rights in a major way.

In one instance a company has made redundant about 320 employees. It has kept 30 on,with absolutely no work to do. Daft you say? Well these are men with 30 + years which means their redundancy payments would be skyhigh. Better to pay them for doing nothing until January next and sack them then under the new laws. Company saves a bundle! Rights that have been hard won such as overtime, penalty rates public holidays all at risk in individual bargaining, as usual in these situations those with least suffer most.

The next election, by about November will be interesting! I am off to Canberra (again you say!) over Easter for the National Folk Festival. More on that next time.

'Til then

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)