A message for listeners of 99.1 SMARTFM
TO my loyal listeners on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am to 12pm, I am taking some time off.
I am not sure for how long, as modern sign in methods and I don’t mix – pen and paper are what work for me.
I hope you keep listening to 99.1 to keep up with what is happening.
When people ring up the station to make comments on what has been said, it proves they are listening.
Once again, I would like to thank the listeners who have stood by me since I started in 2012.
Thank you.
Bev McDonald, TYNTYNDER.
Is The Grinch stealing from electorates?
AS we approach the Christmas and New Year festivities, and the end of another year, the next Federal election looms large with it possibly being held February or March next year.And to use Dr. Seuss as an analogy, the Nationals and Liberals have really been the Christmas Grinch.
Elsewhere around Australia, marginal seats have had their Christmas stockings filled to overflowing with gifts stolen by the ‘National Party Grinch’ from more deserving electorates and given to electorates far less deserving, less loyal and less supportive of the National Party.
We have seen extraordinary feats of pork barrelling with politicians from the conservative ranks burrowing their snouts in the trough to gold medal standards before each election.
Promises to gun clubs, promises to councils, new transport hubs, restoration of rail links, infrastructure projects, renovations to RSL bowling clubs, hospital expansion, public-private sector infrastructure support, and federal funding support for better roads.
But here in our safe National Party seat of Mallee – the Grinch sits back in its cave, and basks in the Christmas period knowing that it presides over a seat that has rarely ever got close to change and it can holiday all year round.
The biggest Christmas present that the public in the Mallee can do is vote for an independent candidate.
The political independent movement growing around Australia, including “Friends of and Voices of” in various electorates, have demonstrated a genuine capacity to avoid party politics.
They work diligently for the community, improving facilities including education and health, whilst promoting the region and building infrastructure which attracts tourism.
This in turn creates jobs and wealth for the private sector.
This 75 years of National/Liberal rule has created nothing but Mallee tumbleweeds blowing in the dust, and the public should seriously consider the independent option, even if you have voted National for all your life.
Use that as the biggest Christmas present you could give this region – a change in the political dynamics.
Alan Hollway, SWAN HILL.
