The Farrer by-election is very much an issue of trust. Yet again, events over the past week have stimulated my mind.
In particular, as a founder of Speak Up 4 Water over 10 years ago, I was extremely concerned when the recently elected Chairman of Speak Up David Farley, who is also the One Nation candidate for the by-election, used the organisation’s Facebook page for his own political purposes to attack the Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe. This, in my view, was inappropriate.
Throughout the campaign I have been impressed with Michelle’s honest and genuine approach, and her commitment to the electorate.
In the past, she has shown amazing tenacity to a cause. A particular example is child sexual abuse advocacy which led to change at state government level, and Michelle is now pushing for this to be rolled out nationally.
She has constantly liaised with people on a vast range of issues and consulted Speak Up 4 Water on her water policy, which aligns with the policy of our Independent state Member Helen Dalton that is supported by Speak Up. That makes Farley’s attack even more bewildering.
While I am not sure we will get a Royal Commission into water, which Michelle is also supporting, for goodness sake something has to change.
But which candidate is best placed to deliver this change?
We have given the Liberal and National Parties sufficient opportunity, but to no avail.
And when South Australia comes calling for more water (with One Nation’s Cory Bernardi joining the chorus), I suspect we’ll be hung out to dry again.
Apart from water there are other crucial issues including aged care, child care and hospital care … however, everything flows from giving people purpose, and water underpins the three valleys that are across Farrer.
Yet is anyone listening out there?
Where are our schools at? Remember when our country schools had 600 to 900 children (Deniliquin, Coleambally and Finley are examples), but now numbers are 200 to 450. We are struggling to keep teachers as the social fabric of our communities is eroded.
The Liberals and Nationals have failed us. And I wonder if a vote for One Nation is merely supporting party politics, where we will again be the victim.
We need change. Farrer cannot afford to be the rust belt to the dust belt, but this may be where we are headed unless we vote for a local Member who is focused on our electorate, instead of their political party.
- Contributed by Vicki Meyer
• Authorised by Vicki Meyer, ‘Werrina’, 14 McCallum Road, Warragoon NSW 2710.
