When the American singer-songwriter, Jackie DeShannon, was played “What the World Needs Now” by the composers Burt Bacharach and Hal David, she knew the world needed her to sing the song.  

In 1965, DeShannon released, “What the World Needs Now Is Love”, with her beloved America conflicted. Combat troops had been sent to Vietnam; protests over the war were everywhere; civil rights were front and centre. 

Prophetically, DeShannon sings, “Lord we don’t need another mountain. There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb.”

Ominously, it is hard not to think of government-created mountains which we are left to climb. 

At all times, we must remain optimistic; but politicians have the uncanny ability of destroying optimism.  

On energy, the demonisation of coal by political elites leads to the shipping of Australian jobs offshore since manufacturing and the cost of doing business, due to increased electricity prices, become impossible. 

In what mad world would you export one of your greatest assets, coal, $70 billion of it, so that other countries can have cheap electricity yet deny that benefit to us.  

Green religion continues to be worshipped, not only by those in politics, but also by leaders of business who are sadly in need of some economic instruction – the same businesspeople who pollute the world with air travel and have every gadget imaginable servicing them, powered by coal-fired electricity.  

The humbug is breathtaking.  

In education, teachers are more interested in encouraging student activism rather than teaching the basics. Government presides over a syllabus that leaves our young ill-equipped for the real world. 

Rain everywhere, yet not one new dam to harvest the downpour.  

We are faced with a ballooning population, reaching the figure of 25 million more than two decades faster than predicted, but no new water infrastructure to cater for such growth. 

When will we wake from this slumber? 

The economy is in a government-induced coma due to the disproportionate coronavirus response with Australia’s national debt about to hit $1 trillion. 

State Premiers please themselves when it comes to opening and closing the borders, ignoring the psychological, emotional and economic wellbeing of people and business.  No one can plan for anything in this environment.  

Add to this, the cancel culture poisoning the well of free speech and thought, plus trial by the media and the mob, overthrowing the rule of law. 

Mountains everywhere. 

Where to from here?