Just to open debate up and in an effort to continue flogging a dead horse. I want to know why Canberra isn’t a marginal seat?
Being a safe Labor seat means that we cannot take advantage of being invited to the Budget Banquet, instead we are relegated to taking the scraps. Canberra is seen as a safe seat and as such I believe there is not much effort made by the Federal government or the opposition to win over Canberra’s voters at each Federal Election, nor are there any big wins during budget time.
As a quick example during the current election Labor is looking to cut spending in Canberra’s public service in a variety of areas and to the tune of $532.5 million dollars, whilst offering $26.92 million in the form of a GP super clinic and affordable housing.
The Libs are offering $1.05 million in funding for graffiti clean up, the Aboriginal Landkeepers Program and to the RSPCA, whilst reducing the APS by 12,000 and reducing funding for ICT project by $447.5 million.
To keep the pollies on their toes wouldn’t it make sense to swing our vote.
[ED – on the other hand if you add up every ACT based public servant and government employed contractor that’s a lot of government money pumped into this town]