Lot's Wife Edition 5 2015

EDIToRIAL 3
Editorial
London, Edinburgh, Paris, Prato... Clayton. The Lot’s Wife team has
been an intrepid bunch this break. While Claire bar hops across
the UK, and our sub-editors have a well-earned holiday, Bill and
Jarrod have been left to explore the character of Melbourne’s south
east. Left to fend for themselves in this cold Melbourne winter,
they have hidden themselves in the depths of the Lot’s Wife office
for the holiday period.
We suspect that the rest of Australia must have also been in
hibernation this winter; the puzzling Border Force Act which
came into power, received relatively little scrutiny by the
public and passed through parliament largely unscathed,
with the only opposition coming from the Greens. Instead it
seems most of us were focused on Zaky Mallah’s appearance
on Q&A. The amendment to the Act, which came into power
on July 1 could see immigration workers face two years in jail
for disclosing ‘protected information.’ Protected information
as defined in the legislation is that which ‘was obtained
by the person in the person’s capacity as an entrusted
person.’ Despite covering the swearing in of the Australian
Border Force, the Channel 7 News July 1 bulletin failed to
mention these new measures. The largest opposition to
the legislation came in the form of an open letter signed by
numerous immigration workers who raised concerns that
‘if we witness child abuse in detention centres we can go to
prison for attempting to advocate for them effectively.’ While
Channel 10 News did make mention of these criticisms in its
broadcast, it was ironically secondary to criticisms that Tony
Abbott is using national security as a distraction to his other
failings as Prime Minister.
At least equal marriage received a healthy dose of
attention from the public. If only the Liberals had turned up
to parliament on June 1st then they might’ve also been able
to give such attention to Bill Shorten’s proposed amendment
to the Marriage Act. Given their absence from parliament we
asked the Liberals if they had time to write an article for Lot’s
Wife. Instead they responded with questions for us to answer.
Their glorious leader had already made clear his distaste
of ‘lynch mobs’ within the media on one of his monotonous
rants in the party room. It was unclear if he was simply
making a point, or if he was genuine in his call of arms to
boycott all media outlets who hold opposition to the view
that Australia is ‘the best team on earth.’
This opposition to well-rounded debate and involvement
of the community in discussions was echoed in the Prime
Minister’s disinterest in representing his country’s views,
but rather, insisting upon an entirely separate agenda. In
the past, leaders of our country have held to their own views
with great results, but what makes this instance so different
is the stark contrast between Abbott’s views and those of the
majority of the country. once viewed as a helpful neighbour,
our reputation around oceania, Asia and the rest of the
world has steadily declined over the past few years. While
New Zealand and Australia were once were held side by side
in the opinions of the rest of the world, we seem to have
regressed, and our friends across the ditch strive to lead the
world. Ten years ago, would we have imagined so soon that
the campaign for marriage equality would have progressed
further in conservative American states than in our own
backyard?
Another issue to keep your eye on is Monash University’s
potential scrapping of the Berwick campus. Though little
information has been released, the withdrawal of Monash’s
name on Berwick could leave the students there being taught
by non-Monash staff. It also would leave residents in the
outer south east corridor with severely reduced education
options.
But don’t worry, after such displeasing news, Lot’s Wife
Issue 5 for 2015 has got you covered. We’ll more than make
up for your embarrassment at our country’s current state.
Though you won’t notice any change in quality, you may
notice a bunch of unfamiliar names in this issue - 9, to be
exact. over winter we opened up some opportunities to the
newest members of our community and they responded with
confidence and prowess. Seek out the newbies and give their
articles a read, you won’t go unsatisfied. You’ll also notice
a new stand in South 1, and recordings of articles will soon
go online to allow you to be with Lot’s Wife to us even when
you’re eyes are busy. There is no escape. Hibernate with Lot’s
Wife.