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.

 

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...

 

Politics, Federal and State

 

I haven't written about politics for a long time. Its rather depressing, for someone who sits on the center left. Federally Gillard wont last till Christmas. Damaged; beyond repair. Back stabbing Rudd, breaking promises through political necessary. Slippery Slipper and the stench of corrupt unions. Gone.

The alternative is worse. The only vision that I can see Abbott make is backwards to the Victorian era.The 2007 campaign it was full of vision; the NBN, a greener future, smarter education. It's that visioning, thinking big. There is no such thing federally anymore. Ahh those were the days.

The Victorian state scene is not much better. I sort of have a soft spot for Ted Bailliue. He seems to be like a startled rabbit caught in head lights and not knowing what to do. I sort of get the feeling that Ted wants to do the best by everyone but because of the side his on and colleagues around him can't do such a thing.

Thus anything green, or remotely associated with the left side of politics, it's been cut.

I have a feeling that Baillieu will only last a term, every cut he has made has affected everyone. Not good for a one seat majority.The cuts in the budget he has made will just increase the likely hood of a mini-depression in Victoria. A year from now we will know. If you have a job, hold on....