TAFE Queensland Alexandra Hills could play a greater role in providing skills for young people in the Redlands
If anything is obvious locally it’s that plans to pursue Walker Corporation’s Toondah Harbor proposal will damage an already vulnerable economy in the Redlands and greatly jeopardise the environment.
The lack of community consultation by developers and various levels of government is hurting business, the public discourse, and trust in the establishment. These are very concerning times indeed.
Also concerning is Cleveland state MP Mark Robinson’s rhetoric particularly his singing from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party’s song sheet. Yes, One Nation are back, yes they now have four Senate seats in the Federal parliament, that’s the beauty of democracy everyone has a say no matter how wrong or right they are. Yes 6 – 10 state seats may well swing towards One Nation much like the 1998 QLD State Election at the upcoming QLD State Election. But that doesn’t mean we have to forget our Australian ‘fair go’ principles.
We need to keep our sense of balance rather than victimizing asylum seekers and reversing measures to prevent discrimination against minorities. We also need balance in other areas, like development in the property market.
Greed destroys communities in policy making especially if it is flat lining the potential in our economy. Let’s look at facts all political parties and businesses need to address. The mining boom is over, car manufacturing is drying up, the QLD TAFE system needs a massive overhaul and upgrades, climate change is real and happening – (as Pacific island nations are sinking, the years are getting hotter, and the risk of disease outbreak is worsening) many jobs are becoming less relevant, and there is a skills shortage here and abroad. We are struggling to implement a system that keeps us nationally competitive.
Fixing the skills shortage
The skills shortage, if it continues with no fall, back will feed into the growing problem of the ever increasing drugs epidemic sweeping our state and city. The main crimes committed locally are either theft or drugs related. An underlying culture of silence and complacency is condoning anti-social behaviour. Many young people in their behaviour and depression feel the need to escape their surroundings into a world of delusional ecstasy, how to deal with this?
All levels of government need to invest heavily in upskilling avenues for small businesses, TAFE, and universities to ensure jobs for locals (without the need for offshoring) in IT, robotics, mechatronics, aviation, and water – agricultural based sectors, the NBN needs further attention, and renewables must gain immediate further attention, climate change is real – and regardless of how you feel on the issue there is a massive opportunity here for our investment as most leading GDP nations are transitioning their economies towards renewables.
We are a nation of thinkers and innovators and have made an impressive mark on the world before, let’s do it again this century by training up our youth in key areas where the future economy is developing and by providing them the help they need to help us as a society reach our potential, going forwards not backwards.
Contacting our local council members, state MPs and federal MP about addressing these issues is one method. But if you know of anybody experiencing depression or needing advice regarding crime or drugs abuse, feel free to contact the following:
- Beyond Blue can be contacted on 1300 224 636
- The Alcohol and Drug Information Service can be contacted on 1800 177 833
- Crime Stoppers can be contacted on 1800 333 000
Callen Sorensen – Karklis
Callen Sorensen-Karkliss
Callen is an active member of the Australian Fabians Society, ALP, Crime Stoppers, Meals on Wheels and is a Quandamooka Noonucle Indigenous person with a strong commitment to community. Callen has worked in the retail and market research sectors and is currently a student at Griffith University and a manager of a small IT – based business webhaven
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
One Comment
Once again, you have joined the dots Callen. Your article expresses beautifully the community’s inner fears.
Corruption has gone beyond the tipping point – it is intruding every single moment into people’s lives. Our governments at all levels are failing to plan for the digital future, or embrace renewable, clean energies. We are aggrieved with the blame rhetoric, the divisive language of ‘leaners’ and ‘lifters’ and ‘tax-nots’ the lack of respect shown to hard working Australians.
We expect our governments to uphold the enlightenment ideals and values of Truth, honesty and dignity and to debate openly. Instead our governments operate secretly behind closed doors – influenced with huge undisclosed corporate donations – and embrace the lies, deceive, and use blame-the-victim rhetoric, and refuse to grasp reality that climate change is here, the oceans are warming, coal is dead and 7 billion people now inhabit the finite earth. Further, the property development, real estate and sharemarket industries are but one section of our economy, though the media and governments would have us believe otherwise.
We elect our governments to seek expert advice, adopt reality and drive growth to develop the new industries that innovation, new technologies, renewable energies offer to benefit all Australians.
We expect our governments to foster fair – not divisive -policies that enshrine dignity and respect and a life worth living for everyone.