One of the first things the new Rudd Labor government has done was to sign the Kyoto protocol on climate change as promised. The work now begins in earnest with nearly 200 countries gathering in Bali to discuss climate change and negotiate emissions targets, binding or non-binding.
The Vatican has sent a delegation of Roman Catholic experts to Bali due to the international importance of the conference.
With the dust slowly settling after the Australian federal election, many analysts and commentators are trying to make sense of the emphatic win for Rudd and Labor when the Australian economy is in such good shape.
It is interesting to see the results of a recent opinion poll, conducted post election. It showed that more voters were concerned about health, education, workplace relations and climate change than about taxation, interest rates or prices.
While a strong economy has been appreciated, many believe there are other things far more important, typified by a talk-back radio comment, “We live in a society, not an economy.”
An opinion article states: Our happiness depends on such qualities as loving and being loved, security, autonomy, productive work, enjoyable leisure, achievements and harmony.