I went and listened to Independent Candidate for Braddon, Craig Garland at a forum at West Park in Burnie yesterday arvo.
I was impressed, but I noted that the Advocate reporter left halfway through, so her report in today’s online edition is incomplete.
His honesty was refreshing, especially the bit where he spoke about policy, along the lines of “I don’t have any, I will listen to, and work with, all sides and try and find the common ground that serves everyone the best.”
A crowd of some 50 to 60 of mixed ages from teenagers to retirees gathered to hear him speak and he answered questions clearly and without equivocation. It was interesting to see several people I would have picked as Liberal stalwarts in the crowd and obviously supportive. From his own, and others descriptions of his facebook following he clearly has a greater reach in the electorate that the local media are representing, which is heartening to see.
Meanwhile up here on the NW Coast we have been treated to our foreign minister Julie Bishop announcing with much fanfare that a local fabrication firm has been “pre qualified” for work on our next warships.
What does pre-qualified mean, exactly? Is it being able to tender, or something even less certain? And why exactly is that firm having trouble getting employees to do their work. Perhaps their HR practices are finally coming back to haunt them.
I know it creates the illusion of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, but it stinks like smoke and the reflections are a touch distorted and randomly repeating.
A Braddon Voter …
