If you want to save the country

Prime Minister of Downunder then there are some things you need to do.

(1) We have three levels of government, local, state/territory and federal. What is more only one state/territory has a single chamber. The others have two. All this for the population of an entire country which does not have as many people as California. Laws differ, regulations differ. There are clashes - and not just between the football teams. Let's just reduce it to two levels, larger local and federal.  That alone would save time and money. We would get more done.

(2) We have the most complex tax system in the world. Again this happens at local, state and federal level. Let's have just one simplified tax system across the country.

(3) We have a "net zero" fantasy that does not take into account the geography of the country or where people live. Forget "net zero" and look at things like, dare I say it, nuclear power. Put some money into researching fusion as well as fission? Change the building code so that all housing includes natural as well as artificial air conditioning? Plant more of the right sort of trees and vegetation perhaps?

(4) There is an education system which, apart from being a little different in each state, is more concerned with social issues than the basics. Let's get back to making sure children can read and write and do basic maths. Make sure they all have a library card and use it. Give them time to read and stop the iniquitous practice of trying to make sure they are doing something under adult supervision for most of their "free time".

(5) There are too many people going to university and not enough people training to be practical. Bring back the technical high schools and hands on training in basic skills before they get their apprenticeships. Encourage them to believe in those worthwhile skills.

(6) The cost of living has gone through the roof but you keep wasting taxpayer money on "subsidies". Forget those and get all of us to accept our standard of living is too high. Encourage people to take up activities that allow them to live within their means.

(7) Accept that parenting is hard work and more needs to be done so that one parent can stay at home longer with the children. Teach them that good parenting is not about the number of activities children are (competitively) involved in but about time spent and example given. 

Oh - well that's a start...and none of it will happen.