Bass, let's get a new candidate who will listen

 

There is a lot of controversy about our local member Ken Smith. As speaker he appears to have lost support of the parliament. This will be a bonus for Bass residents.

You would think if he was going to hold the parliament to ransom it would be about things that matter to the people who live in his electorate. Not about his own personal agenda. Some of the things that do matter are to us on the Island are ::

A hospital on Phillip Island. He has totally ignored this, refusing to speak to those who are organising rally's,

A secondary school on the island. The federal member has been very supportive but Ken had to many meetings in Melbourne to attend the local interest groups meetings.

A local pool instead of the 45 minutes to go to Wonthaggi which has a smaller population.

Yep resign Ken, so the Parlement can operate and we can have an effective voice in Phillip Island.

 

A free new, online news source.

A couple of days ago a new free online news source emerged 'The New Daily'. At this stage it is refreshing. I haven't spent a cent for years on anything that Murdoch owns. The Age online is way overpriced and the "special deals" they send me are getting close. (I've written a bit about it already).

So I was willing to give The New Daily a go. So far I like what I see. The article on Paul McCartney was spot on and is promising for what is to come. Especially in regards to feature articles.

Although I'm suprised that the biggest story in Victoria Ken Smith loosing the support of the Victorian Parlement 24hrs latter is still not up on there web site...

So I'll be checking out the site as well as my regular The Guardian read for free and see how things pan out.

The Redistribution of Bass, maybe some movement on issues...

Certainly were I live Phillip Island there seems to be two main issues.

• The lack of a 24 hour medical facility
• A secondary college

I've the following letter to both federal and state members of parliament::

 

Dear Mr .....

I'm writing to you to voice my concern with the growth of Phillip Island and the lack of infrastructure to accommodate it. A 24 hour medical facility and a secondary school are the most obvious.

The need for a secondary school. At present we have one daughter at Cowes primary who is in prep, she is one of five classes for that age for this School. There are also prep classes in Newhaven and San Remo. It would appear to me that there is more than enough pupils for a secondary School, possibly more than Wonthaggi.

Secondly a hospital. This was brought to my attention in the local Phillip Island Advertiser this week, with a group letter to the editor by prominent locals to the island. Pointing out the inadequacies and inequality of the health provision in the island. I was shocked to see how many much smaller communities have there own hospitals.

I believe that that this will become a real state election issue for residents on the island. At present pointing at Wonthaggi is a cop out. A one road to Wonthaggi which takes up to 45 minutes for some residents on the island is not the answer.

At this stage Mr Greg Hunt our federal representative, got back to me within an hour! He was encouraging to the causes with suggestions on how to get things going.

Yet Mr Ken Smith, no reply...

On his Summer Community Update 2012, lot of photos of Ken... None addressing the most important issues on the island.

I noticed on Anthony Greens blog that Bass electorate is due for an urgent redistribution . 27.5% over quota. Buy goodness I hope Ken starts addresses local issues, retires or gets booted out. I thought the time when the liberal party assumed a "born to rule" mentality was over. Thank goodness Greg Hunt kicks this trend, Im not so sure about Ken Smith though...

 

Ken Smith, No coal seam exploration

Ken Smith it seems is a man of contradictions. I was sure he would be clapping his hands with glee at more development in his Bass electorate with the announcement of more coal and seam exploration. But he said no!; Strange considering::

• -He is a climate change 'Agnostic'
  
• -Supported the building and re-zoning development in Ventnor against community and council wishes.
  
• There is coal in the Bass electorate. Wonthaggi was built on it.
  

My conclusion: some alarm bell maybe ringing for him, he has had a bit of bad publicity locally lately.

(Ken is also said 'no' to a hospital in Phillip Island, a population 10-12 thousands during winter 70 thousand during peak tourist times.)

 

 

Ken Smith vs Greg Hunt

I often read, and I'm amazed at the difference of opinion between Ken Smith State government representative currently in power and the speaker of the house and Greg Hunt Federal representative in opposition; in matters regarding Bass. Amazed because they are both in the liberal party!

The environment::

Ken Smith:: Climate change "agnostic"

Greg Smtih:: "Convinced" of the science.

Development Ventnor::

Ken Smith:: Happy for it to go ahead (ignoring locals)

Greg Hunt:: Actively lobbied against it.

24 Medical clinic::

Ken Smith:: From this weeks Phillip Island advertiser didn't think Phillip island needed it.

Greg Hunt:: From this weeks Phillip Island advertiser, actively meeting with locals and is fighting for a 24hr medical clinic.

It is confusing to say the least. All I can hope for is Ken Smith to retire; It would probably be best for the Liberal Party. Then maybe we can get a representative who "represents" people on Phillip Island.

Watch out for those old Libs

 The reason's for the irratic planning decisions by state planning minister Mr Guy is starting to unravel. The Age has discovered a couple of phone calls by former state liberal member Mr Maclellan to presumably pressure him into allowing the change in zoning and allow building. He did so on behalf of 'family friends'....

Mr Maclellan's approaches to Mr Guy's office on behalf of developer and Liberal Party member Jim Hopkins - a family friend of Mr Maclellan's - raise fresh questions for Mr Guy about possible political influence on his decision-making

The article also for the first time reveals the position on the issue of current state members for Bass Mr Ken Smith. He was supportive of the development! I find this strange for a number of reasons

1. There is ample amount of land already for sale on Phillip Island
2.  The cost of land has not really gone up for the last 2-3 years.
   
3. The majority of residents on the island were against developing that corridor
4. The decision overturned Bass councils development planning, which seems reasonable. 

The only person who made sence in the liberal party was Mr Greg Hunt member for Flinders who actually advoctated on behalf of his constituntes to stop the development.

Even though Mr Hunt is across Western Port Bay, he makes good decisions. It makes me wonder; maybe the other liberals Mr Smith and Mr Maclellan are a little to close.

Ventnor planning and the liberals

 The controversies of the backflip of the State liberal planning minister Mr Guy appears to have taken another twist with the developer claiming political interference in the decision. The interference coming from the Federal liberal opposition Mr Hunt who opposed the decision with the majority of the population on Phillip Island. I applause his decision, from the Sydney Morning Herald ::

My job as the local member is to stand up fearlessly for the local community and the local environment."

What I find more interesting is the quietness of Mr Ken Smith who is the liberal state member for Phillip Island. I havn't read anything with his opinion, support of otherwise for the Ventnor development: Maybe I've missed it....

 

Ventnor re-zoning...

Great Article just put up by 'The Age' on the Ventnor re-zone decision by the Balieu government.
It reveals more questions about Mr Mathew Guys initial decision....

On a positive side great that our liberal federal member Greg Hunt lobbied against the decision. Representing people in his electorate.

But what is more of a concern is how quite Ken Smith liberal state member and Speaker of the house has been. I haven't heard him speak at all on the topic.....

Re-zoning, Mily Cyrus and infrastructure....

Phillip island was surprisingly in the international news with Milly Cyrus tweeting her sadness at the liberal planning minister Mathew Guy pushing through re-zoning without community or council consultation. Some of the concerns that I noted from the community and council were that services were already stretched and that there are already multiple new housing estates in production.

It interests me that commercially business know that Phillip Island is a growing area. Dimmy's has opened a shop, Safeway is opening, Target is opening. Yet local, state and federal governments don't seem to see this.

Public infustruture is a real problem. Phillip island is growing faster than the rest of the region yet looses out consistantly to other towns get the projects.

Phillip Island has no public swiming pool: Wonthaggi has a pool and looks like getting a new heated one!
Phillip Island: medical services are horrid; no bulk billing clinics, no 24 hour medical service, no hospital: Wonthaggi has all of these.

Population

Wonthaggi 6529 people in 2006
Phillip Island 7071 people in 2001
 

Yep something is wrong, and I think that it will bite the Liberal party on the bum. So watch out Ken Smith or who ever replaces you when you retire!

Phillip Island hospital

I read in the Phillip Island and San Remo Advertiser December 15th, 2010 our local state MP say

"As far as Warley hospital 'we are not going back'"

Interesting considering I never heard him say this as explicitly during the state election campaign!

It is even stranger just prior to the federal campaign our local federal representative was in front of 'Warley' pledging money to reopen it! This was in his 'Flinders News'

My conclusion is that the liberals have to start working together and getting policy consensus.
The good news is that Mr Smith in the Advertiser is pushing for a 24 hr emergency medical facility on the island. This is a good step. My only concern is that it will be attached to Phillip Island Medical Group. PIMG the  only real option on the island, where even if you are a local, during holiday seasons you can't make an appointment, you have to ring up that morning and there is no bulk billing.

Bass, Victoria election 2010

Ken Smith easily won the seat of Bass for the liberals. Results from the Victorian Electoral commission::

LONERGAN, Gerry ALP  29.07% SMITH, Ken Liberal  56.96% RANKINE, Neil Greens  10.61%

It was a big win to Ken Smith. It was also worth noting that the Greens actually increased there vote from the last Victorian Election. The big looser was Labour.

Victorian election :: Bass Greens Launch

So far the most political action down in Bass has in my opinion has come from the Greens. I've spotted a few of these posters around Cowes for the Bass Greens Launch, good to see it as a local event::

It's also good to see that the Greens are really pushing the Desalination plant as an election issue down here. A lot of locals that I talk to arn't happy with it.

So far I've spotted a few posters from the libs with Ken Smith's face, nothing (which is typical) from labour.

Related articles

• Water bills 'to double' (theage.com.au)
• Labor woos unions back (theage.com.au)

Victoiran Election:: Bass a political backwater

I've never lived in an area where services and infrastructure are so poor. I've written about the health issues on Phillip Island before::

It would be the largest town in the state without a proper medial coverage.
(Phillip Island has a population 7000,  in 2001, Wanthaggi has a hospital 6500 in 2001, Koorumbura a population 4500 has a hospital. In summer the population can be 50000 with all the tourists).

It makes me wonder why this is the case and one of the answers that seems to come up is that we live in a liberal strong hold. The liberals are the only one who make any promises of any infrastructure because labour has given up on these sort of seats.  I don't blame labour either. Why would you set aside any money for a region if you don't get any return.
When I lived in Bendigo,  a swinging seat, there where always new things on the go. A new police station, a new hospital. Money was promised everywhere from both sides of politics.

The other odd thing about Phillip Island is that the population estimates are 40,000 to 60,000 in Summer. Been conservative the council rates would be for 30,000 people. Yet the infrastructure is on barely for 10,000 people.

So In many ways I see the only way to get out of the rut that the electorates of Bass and Flinders is in is to get an independent or at least for the Labour vote to get to a whisker of winning.

Here is my short list of infurstucture which needs to take place::

Better medical system::
Hospital with at least a medical/surgical emergency ward
A bulk billing GP clinic that is opened at least 5 days a week
Secondary College
Gass on the island
Swimming pool. (We have the Ocean but no where to teach kids to swim)

Related articles

• Vic opposition outbids govt on hospital (news.theage.com.au)

Victorian Election 2010 , Bass

I'm in the seat of Bass, I think the main issue is health. Considering it has the largest population in the electorate it is strange their is no adequate hospital or 24hr medial coverage.  It would be the largest town in the state without a proper medial coverage.
(Phillip Island has a polutaltion 7000,  in 2001, Wanthaggi has a hospital 6500 in 2001, Koorumbura a population 4500 has a hospital. In summer the population can be 50000 with all the tourists).
The only other issues is a swimming pool for kids to at least learn to swim and also a secondary college which is been talked about in Anderson.
Otherwise for me their is no other aspects that are a strong concern.

I suspect that the labour party has conceded the seat already so wont be making any promises in the area. Yet Metropolitan creep is occurring in Pakenham which might alter the results.

Here are some of my thoughts on the candidates and some information from the ABC's website::

:: Liberals Ken Smith

Aged 65, Smith worked for two decades as a self-employed plumbing contractor, and later served as Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association. Smith also served on Hastings Shire Council 1982-88. He was elected MLC for South Eastern province in 1988, and re-elected in 1996. At the 2002 election, he chose to contest the lower house seat of Bass, winning the seat for the Liberal Party from former Independent MP Susan Davies. A former Government then Opposition whip in the Legislative Council, Smith served on the Liberal Party frontbench from 2002 to 2008, but was not included on the formation of a new Coalition Shadow Ministry.

Some thoughts::


Ken appears to be a hard worker. His sign-age is all over the place. He is often advising to be meet down the main street or other important community gathering. Has replyed to my letters regarding the health care on the island, and appears to realise this is a real community concern.
Have meet him at Churchill island when he set up his tent. But he seemed to be talking more to tourists concerned about not allowing their dogs off the lead when at the beach. (So what I'm sick of avoiding dog shit all over the beach, keep them well and truly on the lead I say)
Aged 65, I'd be thinking about my trip around Australia rather than my whining electorate.

Also interesting Smith put up a private members bill on Euthanasia.

n 2008 Smith put forward a Private Member's Bill that would allow euthanasia in Victoria. The bill was similar to the Dying With Dignity Act in Oregon in the United States, and generated considerable controversy. The bill was defeated in the Victorian Legislative Council. ^[1]
 
I would have expected this legislation from the Greens!

Greens :: Neil Rankin

Rankine has lived in Wonthaggi for 25 years and has spent much of his career in science education and running a small engineering firm. These days he is a stay at home parent while his wife works as a local GP.

Some thoughts::


Has been at a few things around the traps. The aboriginal flag raising for one, which I was at. Signs have been around. Seems to be putting in a good effort.


Labor :: Gerry Longergan

Lonergan was born and bred in Korumburra and first joined the Labor Party in 1996 to support a colleague. He is a retired teacher, lives in Inverloch, and has been President of the Labor Party's Wonthaggi-Bass branch for ten years. This is his first election.

Haven't seen him or his sign-age. At least we have a local as opposed to the candidate from the Federal election.

Flinders Community News

Greg Hunt our Federal member for Flinders, Shadow Minister for Climate change action, environment and heritage has sent us his 'Flinders Community News'.

What interested me was what he is up to on Phillip Island and he is

"Fighting hard to...."

Secure a community learning and childern's hub for Cowes and Phillip Island
Stop Cowes beach being sacrificed for a new car ferry terminal
Reopen Warley Hospital on Phillip Island as part of a regional hospital system
Secure an Aquatic Centre for Phillip Island
Get reticulated natural gas for Bass Coast and Phillip Island
Ensure the State Government supports a 24hr Police Station at Phillip Island
Support plans for a San Remo Junior Secondary College

Now what interest me with this list is the Warley Hospita,l Aquatic Center, Secondary College, and Police Station. All State government responsibility!

The other thing is 'Fight for....' Why isn't 'opposition policy when we get in power?'

Politics :: Bass

With changing enrollment details, I received a welcome letter and a survey if I wanted to fill out by our local state memeber "Ken Smith". I filled out the survey noting I thought it was a concern with an elderly population which is growing that there were no 24hr emergency or bulk billing medical services on Phillip island. I got an answer to this question::

If the Liberal Party regain power in November this year, we will  be working with the Federal Government to set up a 24 emergency care facility at Cowes to cater for some of your urgent health needs

It sound positives but....
1) The Federal government is Labor. I couldn't imagine them working with the Libs on this one.
2) Health is a State responsibility.
3) I didn't do the typo "24 emergency", I suspect he means 24 hour emergency.  

Now the Federal election is also around the corner, so I wonder what the opposition environment member Mr Greg Hunt offers.