| Thursday, 5 May | ||
| 7:00 pm |
This month’s SLA Thursday Forum on 5th May is your opportunity to find out more about the newly-formed community alliance, Voices of New England.
VoNE has been established in the lead-up to the Federal election, as we recognise the importance of the New England electorate and its marginal status. VoNE is politically engaged, but not politically aligned. We want to engage the people of New England in discussions about the issues that matter to us, and take those issues to our candidates to hold them accountable to their constituents.
The alliance is steadily building, and currently includes Sustainable Living Armidale, NBN Advocacy Group Tamworth, New England Energy Futures, New England Climate Action Group, the Knitting Nannas, AYCC (UNE branch), GetUp! New England, and Solar Citizens.
The key issues that have been identified so far by us, the people of New England, include:
- Water security
- Renewable energy
- Education and Gonski funding
- The National Broadband Network
- Hospitals and health
- Inappropriate coal and CSG mining
We want to hear more about the issues that matter to people, so please come along and make sure that your voice is heard. It’s early days, but already we’ve been door-knocking, holding market stalls and having conversations to encourage people to think about the issues that matter. Help contribute to the conversation! We will be running an interactive workshop and hope to encourage people to get informed and to get active.
The Sustainable Living Armidale monthly forums are held on the first Thursday of each month. Vanessa Bible will present ‘Voices of New England’ forum on Thursday 5th May, 7pm at Kent House, opposite Central Park. Gold coin donation appreciated.
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A personal/individual view.
Politicians who are not members of any political party (i.e. independents) are far more closely aligned with the needs and wishes of their constituency. This is by necessity i.e. if they are not, there is no party machine (completely undemocratic) to help the politician keep the seat.
As Mr. Tony Windsor has often said, the major parties do more for electorates when an independent is in because: 1. the seat is contestable; and 2. the major parties want to win it back. In short, there is no need for a ‘hung parliament’ in order for an independent politician to have power.
It is all a matter of practicality and even, dare I use that most ugly of terms, being “realistic” (we create reality). To be either of these, practical or “realistic”, I advise a vote for an independent. As far as I am concerned, it is the *only* option, especially as far as “realistic” or practical are concerned. Perhaps one day we will wind up with no political parties. Now, wouldn’t that be democratic?
Tom Livanos.
tom.369@hotmail.com