[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: John Kenneth Galbraith will be missed: Greens

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 1 May 2006


John Kenneth Galbraith will be missed: Greens

Economist John Kenneth Galbraith made a significant contribution to
progressive economics and he will be greatly missed, Australian Greens
Senator Christine Milne said today.

"Galbraith's passing is a great loss to the world; we need his voice
more than ever," Senator Milne said in Hobart.

"Three of Galbraith's constant themes were that we are insufficiently
caring for the poor, that we invest too little in public services and
infrastructure, and that corporations are too powerful.

"Unfortunately all three of these points are truer today than they have
ever been at any stage since the Second World War.

"Half the world's population lives on $US2 per day or less,
transnational corporations control two-thirds of global trade and most
high-income countries, including Australia, are selling off public
assets like Telstra while trying to make tax levels as low as possible.

"Galbraith also said that 'Economists are economical, amongst other
things, of ideas'. But Galbraith was a rare economist who had many
ideas, most of which were pitched at making our world a more
compassionate and sustainable place."


More information: Katrina Willis 0437 587 562 or 03 6234 4566

Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au