In response to Ald. Ruzicka (TT, Here, and Mercury letters 3 April), it wasn’t just my fellow candidate, Elise Archer who spent a small fortune on the Denison campaign.
Newcomers Lisa Singh, Julie Collins, Louise Sullivan, and Fabian Dixon surely did too. In Franklin, Vanessa Goodwin ran an impressive campaign, but also must have outlaid a serious sum raising her profile from a low base, and she very nearly got there.
Paula Wriedt clearly committed less resources, fewer road signs, not much advertising. A low-profile campaign for a high-profile, hard working Minister — and Paula very nearly paid for it, and for an imperfect ELS process, plus the fall overall in support for Labor.
Elections are an expensive business. What reasonable person could not back calls for a legislated spending cap in the interests of democratic equality? As it is, the playing field has potholes. Individually, campaigns are much more than a financial challenge, they are an investment in hope. Whatever party you seek to represent as a candidate, it’s pretty gutsy to put yourself out there like that, on a punt so to speak. That’s why across the parties some great talent was on offer.
With our modest election kitty, the Greens hoped to reach voters questioning the old party priorities, by setting a sound, alternative agenda. Political, union and corporate old-boy networks united to lock in business as usual — the vote for Lennon Labor. The Liberals also effectively urged a vote for the ALP majority. That’s what we got, across the state, every seat the same, just two new faces.
Status quo.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars — from at least half a dozen political/corporate/religious entities — were thrown at the minority government bogey man. Target: the ‘extreme’ Greens with our kooky ideas. Radical notions, like shared power, more money for public services, a Bill of Rights, winding back the pokies scourge, saving our wild places from plunder and neglect. With Bass, the Greens doggedly held their ground, and are stronger for it.
It’s true, neither the Greens, nor I, garnered enough support in ‘Terryland’ as it has been termed, although this is a work in progress. And Lisa Singh does have a strong connection with the northern suburbs community. Julie Collins and Louise Sullivan would rightly argue they do too. There’s no doubt the support of the popular former Glenorchy Mayor and current Labor MLC, Terry Martin, was also integral to Lisa Singh’s campaign.
I take issue with the imputation that I have not made a personal commitment to Denison. Since arriving in 1989, I have spent more time living and/or working on the Denison shore than anyplace else.
Seven years as a journalist in Hobart, and more than five years, all up, employed by federal Denison MHR, Duncan Kerr.
The campaign to save Ralphs Bay was about a violent affront to one river, the Derwent, the community along its shores and a precious, shared natural heritage. My four children were born at the Royal Hobart Hospital. My oldest goes to high school in Hobart. I would not have put myself up for election if not deeply attached to, and interested in, Denison and its people.
Cassy O’Connor
South Arm
