I think Australia needs to have a new Prime Minister and a new team, more than ever to PRESENT to our neighbours and the rest of the world that we are a sovereign nation and can think for ourselves.

With a new face and new team we can loose the tag of deputy sherrif to the USA.

We need to hear a new way of looking after our security. After all what has john howard saved us from? NOTHING. He sent us to Iraq and gave us a high profile; that is about all he has done. It is so sad to see the death and suffering on the front pages of the papers.

But children in Iraq die every day and not just in one picture. Also I have heard a figure I cannot get over (correct me if I am wrong): that up to 15 thousand people die every day from poverty, lack of food, AIDS etc. And never a picture on the front page. I rang our Daily here several times an ask them to put a picture of a child from Sudan on the front page. 'No', I was told - that is not a local issue.

What is wrong with this country? It is the leadership at the top, the uncaring attitude at the top. Re: refugees, asylum seekers, Australian citizens in detention in the U.S., state run schools, hospitals, university students, people who earn under 52 thousand. This party is just for the survival of the fitest.

I saw that in the nursing home my mum was in till she left us last year at 92. Not enough staff, residents even feeding other residents and famillies helping where they could, no fruit, nothing special to eat, very mundane and when I ask I was told it was $4.75 for the food for the day, and howard has the cheek to take all their pension except 10 dollars, and the nursing homes ask for a bond as well. And then of course the spot checks where discontinued in 1987.

Well that is enough from me. but PLEASE AUSTRALIA WAKE UP.