Sign wars

Maelinar – I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the ‘major issue, minor issue’ tact you’ve taken. It’s actually expressed very simply what’s been wrong with Canberra for so long. We need some sane city development – complete objective and separate from the fact that we are the national capital. We have ENOUGH monuments. NOBODY CARES ABOUT THEM ANYMORE. Fix the roads, improve the public transport, introduce a sane legal system, cut the rents, and more actual city culture (ps Al Grassby statues != culture) and I’ll be happy.

ps, I noted this in the Cafe thread comments, but it, and the blog, got a story in the weekend CT. In the middle somewhere, on the right a small column on the Riotact blog just saying how everyone thinks Tilley’s has bad service, etc. FYI.

What exactly can Federal MPs do for Canberra citizens?
They can’t fix the roads, hospitals or policing issues or get involved in stuff like the dragway or school closures.
So what do they do apart from vote on new laws?

Re the update: Friday the 13th is probably not a good day to be going into the middle of a dual carriageway whatever your intentions.

Good luck Mr Prat.

Maelinar, we will not be doing email interviews untill it’s MUCH closer to the election but we too will keen to see who responds as much as what they have to sey.

G’day back Troy,

My apologies for your misunderstanding; my reasonable guy comment was intended to be more of a surprised nature than an insult.

Aiming towards a nutshell history, I’ve often been critical of the Liberals in Canberra, particularly at their own infighting hampering any decent policy effort. I’ve often noted that a party elects itself out of government more than voters electing it in – I’m sure as an experienced politician you’ve heard commentary along those lines in the past.

This is not to say that I’m a single party complainant – I still feel that Deb Foskey of the Greens should stand down from her position after being exposed as a leech on the public housing department, and have had various things to say about their greens policies being more socialist than environmental in recent years. I suppose that’s about the company they keep more than anything.

Then we move to Labour. I don’t think it’s a good idea to be in a deficit in the middle of a drought and decide to build an Arboretum. Nor do I think statues and memorials of various media issues/personalities an appropriate taxpayer value for dollar.

S7S appears to control the width and length of housing in Canberra, but the NCA controls the height. I’m not happy that the roles of the two organisations have not been deliberated further.

Emperor Nero spends more time on humanitarian issues than Tim Costello. International bill of human rights and SIEV X memorials are minor issues, not major ones. Potholes in my street is a major issue, not a minor one.

The whomacrats ?

I drive home and I notice blocked drainways, uncut verges, and see trees that need pruning.

I would like to see a train system servicing the sattelite towns into Civic – since there’s no parking left it’s pointless driving anyway. I’d also like to see a monorail around LBG and the sightseeing circuit but I’m more than aware of the long term nature of these issues.

I’d also like to see any future roads in Canberra to have a specified design rules; dual lane roundabouts that don’t end until at least 50metres after the roundabout, wider width roads, and major infrastructure roads being built before the suburbian construction begins.

I’d like to not have to pay to go to the hospital, nor would I like to pay to drop my rubbish at the tip, on account of they’re going to make money off what I deliver them anyway.

As an ACTSES volunteer I’d like to feel more supported by my government when I’m on the top of a wet roof in the middle of a storm.

I’d like to see the criminal element of Canberra get more reasonable sentences, and I’m willing to have the capacity to hold them, rather than send them interstate to Goulburn etc.

I’d also like to water my gardens and take long showers. I’m completely aware that the revenues from the contracts onselling the water rights go back to the public purse, but what is a Government that cannot supply the most basic of commodities to it’s taxpayers ?

Finally, I’m a voter. I’m in your electorate, and I’ll give you a go. As I said earlier, I’m surprised, but given the evidence in front of me and the lack of any competition to sway a reasonable vote, I’ll vote for you.

Just stop selling everything, but that’s a federal Liberal issue. It’s the thing keeping the budget in surplus is obvious, but when they are gone, they are gone.

As a voter, my concerns are above. I don’t expect any answers, nor do I believe that the Government of the day needs to necessarily pay for these. They’re just out there as my concerns.

I’ll wait for the 10 questions NTP hinted at to seek your thoughts.

Seat Status: Safe Labor
Two Party Preferred: LP: 36.67% ALP: 63.33%

Best of luck being a Liberal going for a Federal seat in Canberra. Seems like a lot of work for VERY little chance of reward (which could be another point in your favour – doesn’t seem you’re in it for the reward). With the upcoming Rudd era of politics I think no matter how good your campaign you’ll be lucky to make any real headway into that 26% swing you’ll need.

I look forward to the Riot email interview with you (and all the other candidates) closer to the election.

G’day Maelinar

I’ve been called a lot worse that a ‘reasonable guy’ in the past month. All part of the rough’n’tumble of politics I guess.

I’m the candidate for the seat of Fraser in this year’s federal election. For information visit the ABOUT FRASER page on my website.

All the best

Troy

what electorate is Troy representing anyway ?

for a liberal he sounds like a reasonable guy.

Just more free advertising for Troy Williams.

One rule for Stanhope’s union mates and another for Troy Williams????

valid point though – why one rule for one sector of the community and one for the other?

I thought this dummy spit was just as much fun. I didn’t know the ACT government belongs to ALGA. Goes to show they reallt should be a local council.