Australia Is Running On Empty
In conversation with a former Australian Deputy Prime Minister on the dangerous delusions of our energy debate.
John Anderson is an ornament to Australian public life, and I was honoured to be asked to join him in conversation about the dire state of our national energy debate.
John served as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National Party from 1999 to 2005, playing a pivotal role in the Howard Government’s economic and regional reforms. Representing the rural seat of Gwydir in New South Wales from 1989 until his retirement in 2007, John held key ministerial portfolios, including Primary Industries and Energy, and later Transport and Regional Development. He was instrumental in driving projects such as the National Water Initiative and the AusLink transport infrastructure program, and was a member of the National Security Committee during significant events such as the September 11 attacks and the 2002 Bali bombings.
Politics can be brutal, but John navigated it with decency and grace. This was reflected in the universal generosity of remarks from both sides of the House when he stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister in 2005. Kim Beazley, his political opponent and leader of the Opposition at the time, remarked, “I must say I am deeply sorry to see the honourable gentleman resign his position… I think that the Deputy Prime Minister has made a name for himself in this parliament as a man of great heart — a good-hearted family man.”
The then Prime Minister, John Howard, summed it up in a sentence: “I have not met a person with greater integrity in public life.”
After leaving politics, Anderson returned to farming and became an influential public commentator. He launched the Conversations with John Anderson podcast and YouTube series, engaging with global thinkers on topics such as civic freedoms, global food security, and societal cohesion. It has been remarkably successful, showing there is a hunger for good ideas and enduring values.
A man of deep Christian faith, Anderson has been active in the not-for-profit sector and has received national honours recognising his service to rural and regional development and contributions to public discourse.
You can link to his website here.
Thank you Chris and John again adding to the despiratably needed conversation about the truth and reality when it comes to "changing the climate". Australia is on the way to a cliff we will fall over if no politician, elite or Scientist will admit to what is happening. How will we get these people to talk about what they know but not want to admit to? It will all be over the back of the "poorer" people in our society. We are heading for a decline in our wealth and standard of living that only the greens and left in Labour seems to think we need. And to the benefit of big government that doesn't understand and know whatever they are doing but for the only reason of having "power". We are in a very sad position at the moment.
Please keep screaming it of the roof tops untill people know and re realise what it happening.