Belated Story in Today's Examiner Regarding Voting

Ald. Hugh McKenzie via his Facebook has alerted us to this somewhat obscured and belated story in the Examiner. It is almost too late to act upon it but not quite.

Interesting isn't it that in past when a request was made to use Town Hall for pre-election meetings it was deemed inappropriate by past GMs. Similarly, when requests have been made for Council to be proactive in encouraging non-Australia citizen residents of the municipality, and others, to enrol as LCC voters that too has  been met with inaction.

A cynic might well be excused for imagining Town Hall as having an interest in maintain the status quo.

EXAMINER ONLINE FORUM

CLICK HERE TO GO THERE

Good evening all, we missed this forum this morning as some people need to work to pay their rates. We only found out about it because a friend told us, so good marketing Examiner.

Trying to catch up here is all a bit less than slick and smooth. It is also a bit late in the process and you have to wonder why the paper is doing it this way.

The four of them are pretty much on song but the process may not be helping here.  That said, the differences are pretty stark and the forum has confirmed my vote.

 If you haven't voted this forum may help but last week would have been good Mr Editor!

VALE Gough Whitlam

1916 - 2014

Former Prime Minister

Australia

FORMER prime minister Gough Whitlam, photographed here with the Late Lance Barnard. Gough Whitlam died this morning aged 98, was an inspirational person who changed the face of politics in Australia during his 3 years as Prime Minister from 1972.

Much has already been said today about Gough's achievements including recognition of Aboriginal land rights, establishment of diplomatic ties with China, universal health care, universal access to university, no-fault divorce, the end of conscription and withdrawal of forces from Vietnam.

At a local Launceston level it is timely to also pause to recognize his relationship and reliance on his loyal deputy, the Late Lance Barnard.

Lance was born in Launceston, Tasmania 1 May 1919; Deputy Prime Minister of Australia 1972-74, Minister for Defence 1972- 75; died Melbourne 6 August 1997.

In the fortnight in 1972, Gough and Lance became known as the "two-man government".  The two men set about reforming public life at a pace that has never been equalled before or since. 

Whitlam and Barnard divided between themselves the entire spread of ministerial portfolios and fired off a volley of executive decisions that left Australians gobsmacked. Next, the two-man government abolished British imperial honours down under and replaced them with an Australian honours system. They announced that Australia would recognize the People's Republic of China, thawing a Cold War diplomatic freeze, banned the granting of mining leases on Aboriginal reserves, refused entry of racially selected sporting teams to Australia and started moves to grant independence to Papua New Guinea, Australia's northern neighbour.

The duo's first act was to abolish conscription to the armed forces, which the conservatives had introduced eight years earlier to bolster Australia's controversial commitment of troops to the Vietnam war. Then they released draft dodgers from prison and announced that Australia's remaining soldiers in Vietnam would be brought home. The youth of Australia applauded.

The legacy of free universities is one that many in today's society remembers well and without which they would not have had the opportunity for a university education.

"It was the most interesting period of my life," Lance Barnard later said. "This had never occurred before in the history of Australia. The public were, I think, pleased something was being done. We were sworn in on the Monday, on the Tuesday conscription had ended and I had arranged for national service personnel to leave the camps as they wanted to."

After he resigned from politics, Lance served as Ambassador to Sweden, Norway and Finland until 1978, and when he returned home he became Manager of Eskleigh Home at Perth Tasmania to raise funds for a much-needed redevelopment there.

Following retirement, Lance was elected as an Alderman to Launceston City Council, still working hard for his people here and using his contacts in Canberra to secure much-needed funds for the city.

Lance retained the respect of both sides of politics in his retirement, and of senior members of the Canberra public service.

In his own unostentatious way, he later claimed that looking after his constituents down home in Tasmania was his most lasting achievement. "I never forgot their interests at all times," he said.

Lionel Morrell

President Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.

on behalf  of all ratepayers and residents.

LOOKING FORWARD & LOOKING BACK

Spotlight on council polls

By ROSITA GALLASCH     Oct. 12, 2014, 9:47 p.m.

 Click Here

Probably we should all read this again in the weeks ahead. AND if there is any reflection on the proposition being canvassed in adjoining Councils, that "it might just be possible to surround Launceston by amalgamation" – George Town, West Tamar, Meander, Nth Midlands and ? – then it may be a whole new ball game ahead ... just thinking out loud.

George Town outlook positive 

Out of adversity it seems new flowers may grow.  It does however look like the status quo has run its race and possibly fewer people will be voting as they have before. Acting Mayor Archer appears to be on the cusp of being a 'change agent' and to forging a new future for George Town ... Click here to read the story

Managing the Toxic Waste

"Waste is everywhere these days. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere without bumping up against it, City Hall even. The wasters and their toxic waste can be smelt hanging about in the mall and on the streets, in the work place, the city's back rooms—hell, its cutting into our bank accounts!

This toxicity seems to be about by the bucket full, spoiling good resources, human and physical, wherever these wasters happen to turn up.

They try our patience, they place unrealistic and unconscionable demands upon us, and essentially they are self centred and beastly careless about the constituency's needs and aspirations. 

Some even imagine that 'the constituents' as mere milch cows and in ways we’d never suspect. These people in our lives do this because we let them and because they tell us we must. Such people, simply put, can be detrimental to our health and well-being. 

So what to do about these people? Whether from the periphery or in the close inner circle, because they cause you distress they must be exposed. As we get to know who these wasters are, those who make people feel inadequate and suck the life out of them, well the toxic waste needs to stop, it leaks everywhere all the time ...."

This is a satirical commentary on 'Local Government' somewhere in the USA in an attempt to alert people to a/the problem. It seemed to apply here somehow. Anyway thank you BANKSY you really do know how to make a point!

WHO IS DOING WHAT AT TOWN HALL?

Can a tail wag its dog? In any case where something of greater importance is driven by something lesser.Wikipedia says:

“…is taken from the joke: “Why does a dog wag its tail? Because a dog is smarter than its tail. If the tail was smarter, the tail would wag the dog.” Interpretations differ as to the meaning of this metaphor. Some suggest the dog is public opinion, and the tail represents the media; the dog is the media, and the tail is political campaigns; or the dog is the people, and the tail is the government…”

Wikipedia sometimes gets it wrong as in Launcestion it seems like its the tail that's the underlings and that might be doing the wagging but however much one might think it you cannot really say it without being there to see. But people guess ... speculate even!

RUCTIONS AT TOWN HALL?

Threats against Launceston alderman        By ROSITA GALLASCHOct. 17, 2014, 10:10 p.m. TASMANIA Police have received information following threats made against Launceston City Council alderman Danny Gibson.... CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

Stories like this tend to indicate that there is more to it than meets the eye. Cynics might even be excused for thinking it is a bit of a beat up ... but then again. The imperative here is to clear the air, rather than cloud it, so as ratepayers can get on with their voting. These elections are important and voters need to vote carefully and with all the information they need in front of them. Not much chance of that now?!

RATEPAYER'S FORUM IN LAUNCESTON

 

There are a couple of things to be said by way of introduction to the form. Firstly, only one of Launceston City Council's sitting members turned up to offer their vision and to listen to others in attendance. That was Ald. Hugh McKenzie.  Secondly, Owen Tilbury did a fine job in keeping the forum moving and giving candidates their share of the time available. Thirdly, there was a refreshing interchange between the candidates and ratepayers et al. Fourthly, the press did not bother to turn up, so it seems they have no commitment to their ratepayer readers or do not think such events are newsworthy.

Lionel Morrell, TRA president, has been requested by many members and others to write an Open Letter [Click Here To Read It] from the forum and other representations to TRA. Please read his balanced and informative assessment of what's in play as you may find it helpful.

While the forum didn't formally resolve anything at the time it was clear from what participants were saying, that Launceston needs more opportunities for Q&As with their Aldermen. Possibly people are getting used to Tony Jone's Q&A on the ABC??

TASMANIAN LOCAL GOVT. COSTS ZILLIONZ ... NEED IT?

Barry Prismall: Deputy Editor

IN BARRY'S OPINION: WHAT [a freaken] archaic, cumbersome and costly system of local government we have. Despite 17 federal politicians and 40 state politicians, Tasmania has 29 councils with 263 elected members. The 29 cost almost $700 million a year and sit on about $7 billion in assets... CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY & THE COMMENTS

Sometimes you would have to worry about sending some of the local council representatives we've got out to buy the milk ... its a bit of a worry that there are so many of them.

Interesting 'Happenings' at George Town Council

click here to go to the story online

As reported in The Examiner, George Town Council is in disarray at the beginning of the local government elections. Allegedly their new GM is trying to "run the place" but not necessarily, it seems, by taking his elected members with him. Top marks to the elected representatives for  putting up rather than shutting up as is likely to be the case with other Councils elsewhere in like circumstances ... if you get our drift.

What is needed is some ACCOUNTABILITY and it seems the elected representatives at George Town are making an attempt at it. Former Local Govt. Minister and now Leader of the Opposition Brian Green, says apparently "it is time to consider putting the council under administration". What does it actually take to get some accountability?

ACCOUNTABILITY is a rare product in Local Govt. sadly!

click here to check the accountability idea out

The Candidates Have Their Say In The Press

The links provided here are here to place on our records, on our sight, what the candidates are saying about themselves and their aspirations. In the era of social media these multiple linkages have yet to be appreciated impacts on our lives as do the outcomes of 'elections'.

• CLICK HERE to go to the section dedicated the Council Elections.
• CLICK HERE to go to the section dedicated the Launceston Candidates

TODAY'S MAYORAL FORUM ABC TASMANIA STATEWIDE MORNINGS

Please find attached the link to the Launceston Mayoral Forum

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW 

https://soundcloud.com/936-abc-hobart/launceston-mayoral-candidate-forum

•

http://www.abc.net.au/ Tahlea Aualiitia

ABC Tasmania Statewide Mornings 

LETTER: Council Standards

It is apparent that there are no clear or published operational and service standards to guide Councils as an organisation.

With no standards, effective complaints are virtually impossible except where socially unacceptable or illegal acts are performed - i.e. the organisation breaches social and legal standards.

Why are there no clear operational standards? Whose role is it to define those standards and police them?

Governance has the role of defining and communicating direction, so that everyone knows what the operation is about, and how to work with it. Governance in the case of say the museum would be advised to define a direction that both adds value to the community and justifies any costs and charges to that community. No management group is likely to do that (it means more work) nor set standards that they must adhere to (rod for own back). Only representatives of the community are likely to set a useful direction supported by standards to achieve that direction.

The key roles of governance include: Establish and communication direction, goals etc of organisation and how it relates to other organisations Set standards most likely to support achieving the direction – eg. reporting standards, performance standards etc Develop and operate effective policies to assure that 1 & 2 are carried out effectively.

All relatively straight forward really. The absence of these standards to guide governance and management would seem to be at the heart of a Council’s performance deficiencies wherever and whenever they are perceived. Candidates might well be asked about their commitment to establishing some standards that their constituency can judge them and the organisation’s peformance by.

Richard Barton