Brissy - the history

On my first full day off when I wasn't carrying a hangover I decided to follow the Lonely Planet tour of Brissy CBD, which kicks off at the Town Hall. The interesting thing about this was that at the Town Hall, they had an exhibition running charting the political development of Queensland (and Brissy in particular) since the 70's. I actually thought it'd be pretty boring but in fact it was a captivating exhibition as it records the development of Queensland from an apartheid style Police state to the enlightened and cheerful place it is today.

The thing that really moved me was how the State slowly introduced more and more draconian laws aimed at preventing freedom of speech, the right to demonstrate, the right to march and even, in some particular cases, the right to live in an individual's own neighbourhodd as they were hounded out by the undercover police. I guess the 70's was a time for all of the Western youth to find their collective voices but I really felt a chill reading about Queensland legislation aimed at preventing gatherings of more than 5 people in one place, no rights at all to march to or from any points as part of a demonstration - these bring to mind the UK Criminal Justice Act and also the new law aimed at the guy outside Westminster who's been demonstrating against our involvement in Iraq - in fact aiming quite a lot of his feeling at President Blair himself! I was left with a profound feeling of helplessness as Britain tries to rush in 'anti-terror' laws aimed at detaining people without charge for upto 3 months and what not and I really wonder where we are. In fact, as I write this blog today, I've just heard the news about the new brand of explosive shampoo and toothpaste found at Heathrow which will make interesting watching for the welcoming in of these 'terror laws'!

One video also stuck with me - which showed 4 coppers beating the living daylights out of a guy who looked like he'd tried to stop one of the coppers truncheoning a woman. Reminded me of some of the footage smuugled out of SA during Apartheid and also brought to mind that lass who was got in the way of the Police horse charge during the Poll Tax riots. We seem so close to anarchy don't we sometimes! In the end, the State Govmint had to resign because... they all had fingers in pies and in fact, the then Chief of Police ended up doing time!! Makes you feel good about the people we elect huh?! I guess this is why a lot of Aussies, especially over 40, seem to have a complete disregard for anything a Politician says. Fair dinkum mate!

Anyway, I felt sufficiently charged up to write this on the board downstairs. I really, in my heart of heats, want to believe our guys have our best interests at heart but what with history having a funny way of repeating!! In fact, the news here has recently been about ol' Howard and how he had a deal with his No. 2 to step down after a certain amount of time to let the other guy assume the mantle. This was in return for the other guys support at the time during the elections... sound familiar?! I also can't help thinking back sometimes on how, really, Bush is an illegal President - with the Supreme Court (mainly Republican was it?!) effectively stealing the Presidency from Al Gore by halting the Florida recount. Wonder how life might've been?! Anyway, I thought I'd put this in. It's a bit unfair on Stalin and what not but hey ho - they're no longer with us!

On a lighter note, almost all of the junction boxes in Brissy have been painted to make them look all arty-like! I saw a few I liked, but won't bore y'all. You get the picture!!