Peter Costello’s outline of the functioning of liberal democracies and civil society is a very sound conservative analysis. The Treasurer has quite rightly pointed out the tensions between government and civil society in providing necessary services in our community. The breathing room for civil society to create connections and allow individuals to establish comforting notions of ‘place’, ‘community’ and ‘tolerant diversity’ is crucial to the prosperity and freedom of a modern democracy.

Many of your readers would have one significant qualification to his analysis of the role of government. What should government do where civil societies fail? What is the role for governments where communities cannot provide for a functioning civil society eg subsistence communities where gaining food is more important than sport, scouts or bbqing for fires.

Clearly missing within Costello’s speech was a notion of equity in the extent to which government will participate in liberal democracies. Equity, whilst not my point of view, is obviously a missing element in the Treasurer’s speech for many Australians.

Having largely accepted what Peter Costello argues it is surprising to me that the government is pursuing some of its policies. Tolerance and diversity unencumbered by government interference is directly threatened by amendments to Cross Media Laws. Costello pointed out that some Australians find ‘proxy’ communities in the Cheers and Neighbours shows . It could also be said that alternative political and social commentary provided by the Fairfax press and the ABC act as a proxy to some Australian viewpoints. How does amending our media laws to provide Australians with fewer voices that influence the debates in our civil society help promote tolerance?

I can already hear your readers suggest that my surprise should extend to his

lack of tolerance in refugees, reconciliation etc. Perhaps they are right and perhaps not. But I emphasise cross media Laws in this context because without a diverse media environment your concerns for a more tolerant society will be increasingly harder to hear.

PS: Isn’t Transparency and Accountability of process key to engendering trust in Iraq? Perhaps Australians should examine the role and accountability of political minders as firewalls protecting our Federal and State government ministers from taking responsibility for their decisions.