I promised myself that I wouldn’t delve into the trivia and minutiae of the election campaign but quite clearly, it cannot be avoided if I’m trying to boost Ross Butler for Franklin as a man who understands the needs of the majority, yes, we the “crusties” – the over 50-plus and perhaps reconizes some of their anger. Anger you might ask and I would have to say that I have met a lot of anger in the past few days, in combination with a sense of frustration over the turn of events of the past week or so. For a start, the so-called political debate degenerated inevitably into personal vilification between the party leaders and some of their followers. It makes a mockery of my little crusade to reintroduce civility into daily life and a sense of community.
For those who like politics as a blood sport, we are now getting to the crunch point. I could yawn in sheer boredom at the goings-on since the two last EMRS polls and the tantalizing tidbit that on the Saturday we vote, there will be the results of another poll: same crowd, same methods and we will know exactly what a margin of error is on that particular night. I like to go to the tally room but with electronic counting, the result will surely be known earlier than usual. I’ve seen too many hubris-driven winners and tearful losers and perhaps this will be the time to stay at home and watch a movie. But then again, being something of a political animal, I might just be curious enough to venture forth.
Any semblance of good manners, common courtesy and respect for the beliefs of others dissipated long ago and there’s no fool like an old fool as the saying goes. Somehow, you always hope that this time it will be different but deep inside, there is the little voice that says leopards don’t change their spots. I’ll be quite honest and say my interests have waxed and waned of late, largely because of political advertising and the manifest unfairness of a system which allows candidates to break the law regarding the size of advertising signs and their placement. I also get rather irate when a number of legally sized signs are cobbled together to make a “candidate’s wall.” Part of me would like to run riot with a can of spray paint, in part retaliation for the defacing of some signs in my front garden at the last election. I’m not sure what my defence would be; probably something like: “It seemed like a good idea at the time, Your Honour.” The amount of money spent on election advertising varies according to candidate and party. You can see where the deep pockets are and the greater Hobart area is to be defaced for another three weeks or so. Discussing this briefly with Ross, he feels that there should be a limit reintroduced on election campaign spending and I totally agree. Some stories of amounts being spent by some candidates from both major parties would pay of my mortgage and surely, when you consider that it is only a State election and secondly, the number of people in need, there is something obscene about cash being thrown around.
What can you say about political system where the two major parties hold basically the same views on so many issues. Back in the 1970s, the now defunct Bulletin magazine ran a cover, a split personality, called the “Gortlam phenomenon” because the differences between the federal Liberals under John Gorton did not appear to be too different from the ALP under Gough Whitlam. The advent of the “eared one” put an end to that. I’m still looking for five good candidates and true, for whom to cast my ballot. I’ve never been one of those monkeys that votes straight down the card according to pieces of paper thrust at you when entering the polling booth. I’ve always taken a savage, perverse delight in working from the bottom up as I find it clarifies the mind.
If the EMRS poll conducted late last year shook the Bartlett government, the one last week must have caused more than mere palpitations. I defer to those who know more about the arcane discipline of psephology, such as Dr. Kevin Bonham and his comments in TT about the poll and the very clear welcome views of Dr Richard Herr, who put the matter into perspective on TT recently. It struck me as very curious to hear on the radio that a lot of people, albeit unspecified, appeared to be ignorant of the fact that election was to be held in March. The massive undecided vote also surprised me. I don’t know enough about EMRS and their methodology to comment further but it apparently meets the requirements of being representative. I must admit that for the first time in years, I haven’t looked for the assessment of Malcolm Mackerras, who claims credit for the pendulum which appears regularly before elections, showing the literate which way a poll can swing. I have a terrible feeling that David Butler of Oxford University had the idea of such a guide earlier but it could have been serendipitous. A certain Gerald Henderson, of fleeting acquaintance who writes for the Sydney Morning Herald apparently claims that the Mackerras prognostications are just entertainment and a check reveals something of a weathervane complex in the work of the gentleman in question: give me Antony Green and Richard Herr any day, for common sense and reading the public mood and likely outcomes.
I am quite persuaded by the idea that we cannot have a hung parliament because 25 is not an even number: the question remains who gets what – will it be 10: 10: 5 as some think or will there be a Liberal majority. Young Willum Hodgman is playing the role of the underdog but then again, the Premier is implicitly doing the same thing. Except that now we are beginning to see Dutch auctions and the commitment to continuing the forestry contracts will enrage as many or more than it will please.
As someone who tried to plead for tolerance and civility, I hope I can be forgiven for such a silly notion. Some of the dirt being thrown around is most unseemly and interestingly, candidates within parties are sniping at each other. Who can forget the spat between Elise Archer and Sue Hickey some weeks back? And what of the nonsense between Sturgess, an apology for a Minister and Madeline Ogilvie, their differences apparently sealed with a well rehearsed kiss – all very chaste and comradely of course? Of course! As for Lisa dropping the magic word – grow up prudes – she was correct, taken in context.
Let’s hear the roar!
And now a word from…my main man, the one and only Ross Butler – the great grey panther of Franklin. He is well pleased with the reception he has received door knocking and is not disposed to waste money on TV commercials. I spent a very pleasant time talking to him yesterday and he said that time spent on doorsteps, even when at first the reception was guarded, was time well spent because he engaged people in conversation and in so doing, learned a great deal about what they were thinking. He has ventured into some of the poorer suburbs of the Eastern Shore and been well-received. He takes the view that the public tend to get fed up with TV advertising and I tend to agree. It’s a good time for a toilet break. I asked him for a quotable quote but modest man that he is, he declined to speak ill of any party and focused on his concern for the marginalized and the elderly. He cares and it is shown in his actions and the sincerity of his words. But then again I’m biased and I would like to see some more support from TT readers on the Eastern Shore and down Kingston way. And rather than let me blather away any further, below is the latest release from Ross’s office, relating to the Huon area.
Fifty years’ work in the real world! That is the main source of my social and political ideas. As I acknowledged in my inaugural speech in Parliament, St. Aidan’s Church of England Sunday School and my mother’s persistent urging to “get something useful to do” helped guide my life.
My teenage work started weekends behind the counter of my grandparents’ newsagency – 7 day shop and selling shoes in the Shoe Mart managed by my father. Student holiday work as a waiter, kitchen hand, barman and builder’s labourer followed.
For 38 years I was a teacher and high school principal. This included leadership roles as President of the teachers’ union of the time and as a Director of TPN Credit Union and RBF Super fund.
As times change, new skills and knowledge are needed. I gained a master’s degree in administration and specialist financial qualifications.
After my teaching career I sold real estate for Robert’s Eastern Shore, then sickness disability insurance and then drove a cab before replacing Paul Lennon as member for Franklin.
My life’s work shows a balance of public service and experience in the vitally important part of the economy – small business.
I have brought to all my work principles of hard work, initiative and constant striving for higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
Policies
1. Strengthening of school-level and life long continuing education and retraining.
2. Enhancement of the care and quality of life of our senior citizens.
3. Obtaining better funding for Huon Valley roads.
4. Greater focus on tourism infrastructure and promotion of the historical French connection to encourage thousands from France to visit the Huon and Channel as Australians visit the World War I battlefields.
I offer Franklin my experience, skills and personal qualities reflected in the notes above and seek your trust to continue to represent you in State Parliament.
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As far as the residents of the Eastern Shore are concerned, Ross has hammered on many doors and is pleased to receive any feedback. The policies enunciated above are specifically aimed to reach the folk of the Huon but Ross is equally and acutely aware of our need with respect to aged care facilities and pedestrian broadband Internet services, and will undoubtedly push for more dramatic action, especially for the newer areas and the growing industrial park, although it lies in Lyons. He recognizes that for good or ill, we are more dependent on the Internet than ever.
Rarely do I commit myself to a politician as firmly as I have to Ross Butler. It may do him no good at all but to be true to my ideals, I must do all in my power to get him reelected ahead of the glitz and glamour of high-spending candidates who rely solely on image. I urge Franklin voters who are on the wrong side of 50 to think very hard about where real life experience counts. And no, I haven’t been paid to speak out for Ross. Look at the candidates carefully before election day and think of their advertising budgets.
