A cremation, a worm and a leak in week two of the election campaign prompted some interesting comments from our resident pollie watchers.
For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.
In an effort to cut through the usual political puff that comes with an election, the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner has asked four shire residents to become our eyes on the campaign.
Amanda Howard, Stacey Cousens, David Hargraves and Yvonne Sims each represent a different demographic within our community and this week they agreed: the debate was a bore and neither party kicked any major goals.
Amanda Howard, Batemans Bay
“I’m still pointing towards Julia Gillard. I think the information that came out about her attitude to pensioners and the maternity leave scheme was bad, but they both have bad sides to them, it kind of makes you not want to vote at all.
“I don’t believe Tony Abbott’s promise that workplace relations are dead and I would rather pay an extra tax, or not get as much paid maternity leave, if losing my job for no reason is the alternative.
“I found the debate really boring. They needed to bring some personality into it.”
David Hargraves, Moruya
“I’m finding that the Government has lost its way, which is why Kevin Rudd was removed by the Labor powerbrokers. Let’s not forget that Julia Gillard was instrumental in the policies and decision-making processes in the Rudd Government. She is using political spin to try and have us forget a litany of broken promises and failed policies. Julia Gillard was in charge of a $16 billion school revolution project fund, which was a waste of public money. Any person in the private sector would be jailed for misappropriation of funds but she’s been given the reins of a $1 trillion plus economy.
“Her deal with the Greens on preferences concerns me because it gives them the balance of power in the Senate. Bob Brown wants to increase the mining tax and introduce a carbon tax, which would send electricity prices through the roof and make the standard of
living for average households and pensioners even more challenging. If he could, Bob Brown would put a tax on having fun.”
Stacey Cousens, Batemans Bay
“I watched the debate and I wasn’t very impressed by either of them.
“The only thing that really impressed me this week was talk that Julia Gillard may have opposed the introduction of paid maternity leave, which I think is a good thing. I don’t think there is enough money to go around for us to pay for something like that, particularly in small business.
“I’m a little more convinced by Julia this week because Tony Abbott isn’t saying anything new.”
Yvonne Sims, Catalina
“The political parties are so alike that it’s coming down to who you like best.
“I don’t believe that Julia Gillard doesn’t support pensioners, but it’s not really the issue anyway, the issue is money. No one is talking about the issues that really count, which are water, electricity and rate prices. Cost of living affects pensioners but neither party will talk about it.
“Tony Abbott has talked a lot about mental health, which is very important. Education is another important issue, but it’s been hard for Julia because she hasn’t been able to just get on with the job.
“I think health costs, education and rebates for pensioners are the issues that matter. Let’s hope whoever gets in addresses these issues.”
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter