For more than 10 years Speak Up 4 Water has been working hard with politicians to try and get fairness into water policy and the Basin Plan.
It has always been non-political, knowing that at various times it would have to deal with people from various political persuasions.
I was extremely concerned when I saw the current chairman of Speak Up 4 Water, David Farley, using this trusted organisation to promote his political campaign as the One Nation candidate for the Farrer by-election.
This is surely a conflict of interest and one that must be of great concern to many members of Speak Up.
Even worse was the manner in which Farley attacked the Independent candidate for Farrer Michelle Milthorpe.
It seems he has not read Michelle’s water policy, or wants to ignore the fact that while Michelle makes it clear she is totally opposed to water buybacks, that is not the case with One Nation. Michelle is also adamant that we need a Royal Commission into water and will advocate strongly for that.
Also, I am aware Michelle Milthorpe liaised with Speak Up 4 Water when her water policy was developed, to ensure it reflected what our community wants and needs.
Did the Speak Up 4 Water chairman and One Nation candidate not know that, or conveniently decide to ignore it?
Unlike David Farley, if Michelle is our next Member for Farrer she will not be at the mercy of a political party, but will vote and advocate on behalf of her community.
Using water as an example, if One Nation’s South Australian hero Cory Bernardi tells Pauline that he must get more water from our farmers for his state, do you think she will listen to Cory or David Farley? I know who my money would be on.
As an instigator of Speak up 4 Water over 10 years ago, I have been proud of its leadership and the outstanding work it has done for our community.
I do not believe the standards now being set by Mr Farley are what this trusted organisation has worked so hard for.
Speak Up was never designed to be the baseline for a political campaign, and it is unfortunate that with the current direction the organisation’s days are probably limited.
I hope Farrer remembers what you have done to this decade old, trusted community group when votes are cast.
Yours etc.
Vicki Meyer
Foundation member – Speak Up 4 Water
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