Week after week in Tasmanian Times, I read excellent and insightful comments in response to the many TT articles that document the shortcomings of the current state Labor government and the Liberal opposition.
It frustrates me deeply to think that very few if any of these excellent commentators will actually be offering themselves as candidates at the March 2014 election.
Time and again, when these commentators confront the reality of having to vote for someone, they express part or all of the following narrative:
The politicians we have to choose from have created a nightmare:
“Let’s have a hard cold look at what the pulp mill saga has done for our state … This dream is a nightmare that is fully supported by the state Liberal Party and Labor Party who are asking for our vote so they can continue this folly … What hope has Australia when we elect people who come up with these nightmares …”
Max
We are powerless:
“We are being governed by people who know they can get away with seemingly anything.”
John Hayward
There is no one worth voting for:
“I would love to cast a formal vote on March 15, but, more importantly, I want to cast a vote for a future my descendants can live in. So far, I am really scratching to find someone to vote for. Have you any suggestions? I have voted in many elections in the last 50 years, but never have I voted for anyone who didn’t let me down.”
Tim Thorne
and:
“Honest Government is what Tasmania has desperately needed but rarely gets from this mob of comfortable, well-paid career politicians. [Red, Blue and Green.]”
David Obendorf
We feel so disempowered that many of us won’t even express what little power we have:
“This is shaping up to be the most uninspiring Tasmanian election we have ever seen. I suspect the informal vote will skyrocket beyond belief.”
Ted Mead
And so on.
In the end, if we are deeply unhappy with any aspect of our lives, we need to do something about it if we possibly can.
I am curious to know whether the regular, insightful, left of centre TT commentators would consider meeting and selecting from their ranks an independent candidate to stand in each electorate candidates who could meet the standard so eloquently defined by Simon Warriner:
“What is required are representatives who hold no allegiances, and are prepared to represent all views to the parliament, and then participate in an intelligent and considered debate about where the common good lies and how best to get there. That approach is the antithesis of party politics.”
Yes, if you stand as an independent, you are unlikely to get elected, but that is not the point. Throughout the campaign, there will surely be numerous “meet the candidate” events. If you attend these events as a candidate you will have to be allowed to speak – equal time if you like.
You can then express to an audience of voters, the truth that until now you have only been able to express in TT comments. This will not be appreciated by the major party candidates, but you will be pleasantly surprised by the impression it will make on the audience. You will also be pleasantly surprised by how empowered you will feel.
TT is a great media institution but it can only “name and shame” or perhaps I should say “name and shame the shameless”.
More is needed. Above all, those who understand how democracy in Tasmania has been corrupted need to begin to fully participate in that democracy. Independent men and women with intelligence, integrity, ideals and ideas are desperately needed in the Tasmanian polity. Please consider going beyond the attitude expressed by John Biggs in a recent post:
“Even at elections, we are constrained by the candidates the parties put up …”
John, that need not be true. It has been true in Tasmania, where disaffected citizens have not been prepared to stand as candidates. But it need not be true if groups of citizens get together to nominate their own candidates. The big parties can only own Tasmania’s democracy if no one else is willing to contest their ownership of it.
Regarding some of the practicalities:
* It costs money – so network among the likeminded to raise the money; $50 per person committed to the process will soon amount to a useful sum.
* See this as a long term exercise – from this year on, at every election in your electorate, State and Federal, upper and lower houses, aim to have a truth telling independent candidate who can attend the public meetings and counter the falsehoods and spin offered by big party candidates.
* You will be testing the market and learning – Will people listen? How can you get through to them? What did you learn from this election that will help you support your independent candidate more effectively at the next election?
* Seek the involvement of younger Tasmanians. This is very important.
* Do not attempt to direct preferences.
* Remember that independents often fail to get any traction because they are too independent. What is required is a group that shares a set of values, and a candidate who can represent that group without devoting too much attention to their own pet issue.
Would any of the following intelligent, articulate, well-informed Tasmanians consider stepping forward: Mike Adams, John Biggs, Alison Bleaney, Mike Bolan, Gordon Bradbury, John Day, Basil Fitch, Helen Flanagan, Claire Gilmour, Pete Godfrey, John Hawkins, John Hayward, Peter Henning, Bob Kendra, Russell Langfield, Isla MacGregor, Ted Mead, David Obendorf, Phill Parsons, Pilko, Ben Quin, Carol Rea, Estelle Ross, Garry Stannus, Stephan, Karl Stevens, Tim Thorne, Luca Vanzino, John Wade, Simon Warriner?
Oh and one final, practical suggestion – when doorknocking, take your raincoat, because you may encounter ruffians such as this fellow:
“I’ll put the hose on the prick if he door knocks me.”
Pilko
• Hans Willink, Independent candidate for Dension: Peter, I commend your suggestion, the more genuine independents running for election the better and the greater the chance that perhaps one of them may do a Winter Olympic style “Wilkie/Bradbury”and bypass the lead Party candidate pack during distribution of preferences. Whilst running as a independent candidate for Denison, I would not qualify to be on your list. I am neither “left of centre” or a literary luminary! Whilst supporting many “left of centre” socially progressive issues including marriage equality, euthanasia, open and transparent government and kinder treatment of refugees; I am fiscally conservative and have a small “l” libertarian and deregulationist bent. I admire rigorous financial analyses by TT commentators like John Lawrence and nominate him to join your potential “new independent pack”.
