Ever wonder why nothing gets done in our electorate?

Tired of the same old unfulfilled promises from the major parties? So, why aren't things getting done? 

1.   Political motivations can sway funding decisions, with resources going to electorates that matter to the ruling party. The government of the day gives more funding to swing seats and nothing to 'safe seats' such as Nanango, to try to get more votes. It's known as "pork barrelling". Safe seats, whether they're held by the ruling party or the opposition, don't really get any attention because they're not important for election results. In simple terms, if Labor or the LNP don't think they can win the seat, they won't invest in the seat. That's what's happening in Nanango, as highlighted by Deb Frecklington MP in the image below from her Facebook (12 June 11.10 AM). It is all politically motivated and lacks transparency and fairness for the people. 

But this isn't just the Labor Party. It is both parties. You haven't forgotten about the "Sports Rorts Affair" in 2020, the "Regional Growth Fund" in 2018, the "Car Park Rorts" in 2021, the "Community Development Grants," and many others? These are just a few examples that show how both parties allocate government funds to projects that benefit the ruling party instead of being based on actual needs or merit. When people see decisions like this being made, they doubt the fairness of government spending and lose interest in both the major parties, and that is exactly where Australians are today. Recent primary polling suggests that a lot of Australians are fed up with the two parties. It's like watching a game of tennis. 

2.     Politicians should serve the people as though their careers depend on it!! That's what they are paid to do. And nothing motivates politicians more than the fear of being replaced by challengers like me. Just like an average workforce, they should fear losing their jobs when they underperform, and both Labor and the LNP have underperformed and disappointed Australians for too long. 

So what to do?  

If the political class doesn't do their job, let's vote them out and replace them with Independents who will work hard for the electorate. When the government cannot serve the people, they shouldn't be given another chance. By using our electoral power on a grand scale, we show politicians they must satisfy our requirements in order to keep their jobs, and not just dictate to us.

Imagine being tasked to create a scorecard that describes how our government is performing. What government performance ratings would you assign to issues that are important to you? Issues such as

1.      Record state and federal debt that your grandkids, grandkids will pay off. 

2.     A perpetual rising tax burden.

3.     Increasing the number of regulations. We want less government in our lives, not more. 

4.     A massive rise in homelessness in our region where over 400 families are homeless, according to St Vinnies. 

5.     A failing healthcare system, which has major knock-on effects, such as pre-screening.  

6.     An under-performing education system.  

7.     For the first time, our life expectancy is going backwards. 

8.     NDIS will become the largest expense in our nation, surpassing Defence. What is happening? 

9.     Roaring inflation and interest rate rises. There are 4 million mortgages in Australia and 1.6 million of those are under mortgage stress. 

10.   Fuel, food and energy continue to climb, crushing the household budget. 

11.    Our nation's flawed democracy. 

12.   Irresponsible management of our money. 

If we calculate the average rating of all these factors, how's our government doing? Are they meeting the needs of us citizens by creating policies and services that improve our lives? Or does the government serve someone else's interests instead?

It's clear that our State and Federal governments are not meeting expectations. Solid evidence confirms that the well-being of the average Australian is deteriorating. The results are so far from what we expected, it's shocking. Additionally, our elected leaders have failed to gain our trust. We're done listening to empty words from politicians who never deliver. And for these reasons, most Labor and LNP politicians deserve to be replaced. There are some good ones, and they need to shine and not conform to party policy. They need to make a conscious decision to say no to the faceless men and women rule makers in their party and do what is right by the electorate, and not party policy.  

That's right. We need to remove most current political establishment members immediately. Let's not give these people another term. When our government fails to sufficiently improve our lives, when our lives are actually regressing, it is truly time to replace most active politicians. Four years is a significant duration to be indoctrinated into a culture of self-serving negligence. It is unacceptable for any elected official to be content with the overall mediocre performance of the establishment. If we all start talking about this idea and making it a big deal during elections, politicians will feel the pressure to be accountable for their performance and actually do what the people want.

To see improved outcomes, we need to adopt new ways of thinking. This would be unprecedented in Australian politics, but very doable. The current system didn't exist until they created it. Let's turn it around. Let's create a system that serves the people and not a political party. It's a fresh approach that lets voters drive positive change. Prove the effectiveness of this efficient democratic approach by doing your small part. The process is incredibly simple. When voting in any future elections, choose new candidates who challenge the incumbents. 

In October's State election, put me as your number ¦on the ballot ticket. Select whoever you feel next best represents this electorate in the rest of the boxes until all boxed are complete. Maybe consider individuals who are not bound by the constraints of a political party, because, as we have witnessed for a very long time, that system is broken and we need to fix it and ensure a better working order for the next generation to inherit our State. 

Why an Independent? 

Australia is unlike any other country. Not only do we have the best beaches and the most diverse bush, we also have significant critical minerals and energy resources. While our resource wealth underpins a significant portion of our economy, the people of Australia are doing it harder than ever. How can that be? As government controls the policy and therefore the levers, they are the people who are driving more of us into poverty. The consolidation of wealth in our country is channelled into the top 10% and further concentrated into the hands of the 1%. We are being fleeced through higher taxes, fines, and regulations, whilst those that own the major hedge funds that own the major companies continue to pay little to no tax in Australia. 

The current political environment has frustrated Australians. Our health system, Defence Force, energy security, homelessness, immigration, massive debt, and inflation - all these systems are collapsing. Since 2020, 350,000 now leave Australia each year for more promising lands. The previous decade average was 220,000 per annum. And here is the evidence; the ABS reported a quarterly population growth of about 129,400 people (0.5%) and an annual growth rate of 2.5% in 2023, which includes a natural increase of 103,900 people and net overseas migration of 547,300 people​. Aussies are having fewer kids because of the cost of living, and many are leaving the country. The only way our population is increasing is because of immigration. We need to correct this and correct it fast. 

So why vote for an independent like me? 

I live here. I am local. As an independent candidate, I focus entirely on our local issues without the need to balance state or national party policies. This allows me to be a powerful advocate for our community's specific needs. Unlike major party MPs, I am driven by a high level of public accountability, as my success relies on personal reputation and effectiveness, not party loyalty. This commitment drives me to achieve tangible results for you and all Queenslanders. 

I have spoken with previous independents, including a three-time elected independent in this seat, and they have achieved significant outcomes for their electorates because of their unique position in the political landscape. Independents do not adhere to any party lines and can leverage their support for critical legislation to benefit our electorate. 

In situations where no single party has a majority, independents often hold the balance of power. Voters are increasingly moving away from Labor and the LNP, recalling the influence of Liz Cunningham in the mid-to-late '90s. An independent’s vote becomes crucial for passing legislation, enabling me to negotiate substantial benefits for our electorate.

Independents have the flexibility to negotiate directly with both the government and the opposition on a case-by-case basis. This can lead to tailored outcomes for our electorate that might not be possible under the constraints of party discipline. By voting for an independent, you are choosing a representative who is committed to addressing our community's specific needs with a clear, undivided focus.

What do you think? Do you have anything you would like to raise or discuss? Contact me at [email protected] I would love to hear from you.