Press Release
Summary
All Fools
Mad House
Canberra 2600FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
E-mail: anwards@hotmail.com.au
FULL TEXT.
Web Site: www.rag.org.au/takenote/release.htmEmbargoed April 1 2000
Canberra, 30 MAR 2000—
PRIME MINISTER ABANDONS ECONOMIC RATIONALISM
Saturday April 1st 2000 The Prime Minister's regular 2 am news conference.
At his news conference this morning the Prime Minister announced: "Australia will be abandoning economic rationalism and economic growth and pulling out of the global economy. They will be replaced by ecological rationalism, resource conservation, and local economies, respectively.
"Ecological rationalism dictates that it is cheaper and more efficient to keep this planet habitable for humankind than to try to find other planets to live on. It also dictates that prevention is cheaper and more efficient than cure. For this reason my government will be working on strategies to prevent the three main disasters of our times: 1) war and violence, 2) environmental destruction, and 3) the gap between rich and poor.
"I call on the Australian people to get together and work out how we can all live comfortably but not extravagantly, so that we don't need the things that cause our environmental problems; and to find ways to reduce our use of resources such as energy, water, paper, metals and other materials.
"Local economies are essential for: eliminating pollution, especially greenhouse gases, caused when goods are transported over long distances; reducing use of resources, especially the fuel used in long-distance transport, and reducing waste; and employing people locally.
"I will initiate a number of policies that I hope other world leaders will follow. This includes a buy-back of all foreign-owned land and assets, and all privatised utilities. More land will be available for Australia's original owners. I will give a full and unreserved apology to the Aboriginal people, not only for the stolen generations but also for all the other atrocities committed by early governments and settlers.
"All technology will be judged by its effect on our environment and its usefulness in providing for people's needs, instead of being accepted just because it's possible. Biotechnology may be used to eliminate feral animals and weeds from the Australian bush but will not be used to modify food. The money and expertise currently being put into genetically engineering food will be redirected into researching and supporting organic and permaculture methods of food production.
"My government will withdraw from all space research except for tracking asteroids that could impact the Earth. I find it unbelievable that some people are planning space travel while so many of their fellow humans are starving. I also reject the idea of colonising other planets - the world's people are still suffering the consequences of the last spate of colonisation.
"We will encourage the use of environmentally-friendly technology such as small sun and wind power plants to produce renewable energy locally; rainwater tanks, household grey-water systems and dry composting toilets to save water; community gardens; retrofitting of buildings to make them more energy efficient; and the expansion of bush regeneration schemes.
"We will work gradually towards achieving population numbers that can be supported by the bio-region in which they live.
"All uranium mining will cease immediately.
"We will stop the present practice of using large projects to provide employment. Instead we will help people do the work that needs doing in their local communities, and encourage them to employ each other by buying locally and sharing the available work fairly. We must own fewer things, and share our possessions with our friends and neighbours. In this way we won't need so much money and will be able to spend less time at work and more time with our families, friends and communities.
"I appeal to you all for support in abandoning economic rationalism, and to help in every way you can. Please write to me at Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600, with your ideas."
Head Fool
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