Who finishes first is important, but more important are people willing to have a go. Over the past two weeks we’ve had our chance to indicate who we believe are best to help shape our communities future. Yes I did have a go in Division 2 and it looks like I’ll be unsuccessful, so the first sentence may come across as making the best out of the result. Well I do consider the whole experience as positive. I have no regrets and accept the decision. I sincerely congratulate all the candidates across the state for having a go; it is quite a commitment to see through till the winners are finally declared.
Especially have empathy with non-incumbent primarily self funded independent candidates; to compete in a contest where the odds are against you is gutsy, some consider it stupid. However the diversity we bring to the contest is essential.
Though with the upward trend of pre-polling diversity at the Council table is going to be even harder to achieve. Around 1 in 4 people in the Rockhampton Region voted before Saturday. Incumbency and party/team have a big advantage over the non-incumbent independent juggling job, family and campaign commitments during 2 weeks of pre-poll.
100% postal voting, as conducted in the Central Highlands, would provide a more level playing field for all candidates. If you saw some of the situations that happened during pre-poll I think most voters would agree. Then the circus of Election Day would disappear from peoples calendars. From doing the 10 hour shift I don’t believe many people would miss that. Not to mention residents living nearby the booths woken at 4.30am with the sound of mallets hitting wooden stakes (no vampires were killed). With people making decisions in the comfort of their home why persist with divisions. Shouldn’t the Councillors first priority be the whole region not the one-seventh they rely on to get elected? Livingstone, Gladstone and Central Highlands don’t have divisions, voters in those regions can chose all the councillor candidates they feel can best do the job, not just one.
Diversity of choice is the second most important part of democracy. Unhindered citizen participation is the first. Let’s uphold them both.