Suburban Scrawl

For our recent Europe trip, we used the Internet site HostelWorld to arrange all of our accommodation. This site was excellent and allowed us to make bookings that were very cheap and in central locations in nine major European cities. To keep improving the quality of the site, I have submitted feedback on each accommodation venues that we used throughout Europe. With one exception, we were very pleased with everywhere that we stayed.

Rome, Italy, Locanda Otello Rossi

$52.12/person/night

86%

Good, clean, cheap, very basic accommodation venue very close to Rome's Termini station. The location is a section of a floor in an old building. Our poor Italian was taken in good humour and we had a good stay. Avoid accidentally walking into the living quarters, and you may wish to avoid if you have animal allergies (there was a friendly dog asleep most of the time on the couch, his eyes indicated he had seen it all, ha ha ha).

Venice, Italy, Hotel Ai Tolentini

$60.07/person/night

83%

This was a very good cheap accommodation venue located close to Venice's main train station. The staff member we dealt with was friendly and helpful. We were sent to a second location, very close to the first location, but this was not such a bad thing, as the venue was recently refurbished and in great condition. Toilets and showers were clean. We could not work out the air conditioner.

Zurich, Switzerland, ZicZac Rock-Hotel

$72.98/person/night

90%

This was the highest end of our 'budget accommodation' in Europe. Staff were friendly and helpful with good advice on the local area. A bit of a walk from the main train station but entirely achievable and well located with many restaurants, bars and so forth located nearby. The room, showers and toilets were all good and clean, though there was a slight cigarette smoke smell in the room. Overall, recommended.

Munich, Germany, Easy Palace Station Hotel

$57.42/person/night

96%

This venue was a highlight of our accommodation experiences through Europe. The location here is superb, being very close to the main Munich train station and on the way to the centre of Munich. The staff were friendly and helpful, the facilities clean and the complimentary small beers in the down stairs bar well enjoyed. The included buffet breakfast was good and welcome.

Frankfurt, Germany, Hotel Europa

$48.58/person/night

96%

This was the best cheap accommodation enjoyed of the nine locations we picked across Europe. We dealt with at least three separate hosts, who were all exceptionally friendly. I had the flu, and they even divvied up a peppermint tea when I stumbled downstairs. Good television with decent cable helped at this time, as well. The food and drinks in the room were good and cheap. The simple buffet breakfast was superb. Very close to Frankfurt's main rail station and highly recommended.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rembrandt Square Hotel

$53.00/person/night

83%

Amusingly located above one of Amsterdam's many "coffee shops", this was a good budget venue. The facilities were all well kept and very clean, though, due to minor allergies, I experienced some discomfort with the strong cigarette smoke through the room. The staff members were quite helpful and the buffet breakfast good. The location was a bit of a walk from Amsterdam's main train station, but in a great location for access to restaurants, bars and the centre of Amsterdam. Make sure to stock up on the discount cards and all near the entrance. Also, the fire alarm works :)

Brussels, Belgium, Residence les Ecrins

$53.00/person/night

83%

A recommended budget accommodation location in Brussels. The location is some distance from the central rail station, but in a seemingly good area with a number of local eateries and conviences. Toilets, showers, towels and the room generally were clean and in good condition. The staff were friendly and kept supplying us with cans of the enjoyable Jupiler Belgian beer for only one Euro each.

Paris, France, Hotel Du Commerce

$43.28/person/night

56%

We were shuffled off to another location for the first night due to a "technical problem" that would be "resolved this evening". The other venue referred to this "technical problem" as double booking. We were told breakfast would be included for the same price, but the second venue tried to add 10 Euro for breakfast, and still charged us 1 Euro more after knocking off the breakfast.

It is the principle of these matters that annoy me. There is also the practice of charging for showers, which appears to be a local budget accommodation farce. Notably, the second venue charged more for showers than where we had booked. Also, when having to move our bags and materials for the second night, we could not check in until around 3pm, leaving our bags in an area that I was not convinced was secure.

The reason I have not given this place a complete rating thrashing is that (1) the final staff member we dealt with was friendly and helpful (2) we were, at least, provided with alternative accommodation on the first night, and (3) given our mediocre experiences generally in Paris, I am confident there is a lot worse than the clean, comfortable accommodation at this place.

London, United Kingdom, Marble Arch Inn

$49.24/person/night

80%

This was a friendly, clean accommodation venue located within walking distance of most of London's main attractions, including the Oxford Street shopping domain. A basic complimentary breakfast was included, though it was milk based. The hosts may offer a taxi like service to Heathrow airport, but I note that the (relatively slow) Tube is far, far cheaper.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 19:27  1 comments

From the campaign trail. Midnight in Eagleby. All of a sudden, out the front of a modest suburban house, a woman appears wearing only her underwear. She runs up to the Peter Eather sign on the front lawn and starts trying to knock over or rip out the sign. "Oi! What are you doing!?", the resident called out. At this question, the woman gets down on her hands and knees and starts kissing the sign. "Sorry, Pete, I'm so sorry."

Missing Signs

An incredible number of signs have been stolen or destroyed in the Logan City Council election campaigns. Lonnie Nielsen has lost over 60 signs, and he is merely running in a local division. Credit must be given to the political operatives in Beenleigh, though, as this area has been relatively unscathed. Kudos to candidates Peter Eather, Ray Hackwood and Jennie Breene for their fair play with signage.

Vicious Politics

The politics of the Logan City Council election has been the most unpleasant I have dealt with during my political involvement. I can confidently say that this is the first election I have not enjoyed. If it was not for a couple of mates running, Peter Eather and Lonnie Nielsen, I would have happily had nothing to do with this election.

I have paid a personal price for involvement in these elections. The token neglect of family has been eclipsed by the vicious lies distributed about myself and friends from a number of different sources. At its lowest moments, I privately had concerns for the safety of my property and family. There are certain archaic political elements out there, adherents to threats, lies and bullying, that must to be consigned to history books.

Beer

I do not know about you, but the image the Australian Labor Party website is using to advertise their response to binge drinking leaves me feeling rather like a beer. Kids may never listen, but they never fail to emulate. The drinking culture in Australia extends well beyond those that today we call youth.

I have drunk too much perhaps five times over the last ten years, so I am not claiming to be a saint. Before the end of the year, I too will inevitably end up once again at the Holy Grail. I remember the pub from a moderate couple of beers there back in 2005.

My simplistic personal view is:
(1) If you become violent or aggressive when you drink, you should never drink.
(2) If you have one drink and can not stop, you should never drink.
(3) Never drink to escape your personal issues and demons.
(4) Do not drink every day, more so if alcoholism is in your family.
(5) Otherwise, it is all about moderation and not drinking to get drunk.

The Australian Cares Not

The Australian newspaper pulled an incredible stunt last Friday when it claimed the Rudd Government was going to scrap bonuses to carers and pensioners. Absolutely no decision had been made on the Howard Government one off payments, which had never been budgeted for in the future and were purely desperate scrambles to buy votes. The Rudd Government was also going to provide bonuses, while the Australian continues to perpetuate the lie that the bonuses were going to be scrapped.

Welfare

It has come to my attention that my view of welfare differs noticeably from common views in the society. I support most forms of welfare, but I see welfare as assistance or help, not to provide a lavish lifestyle. Many people see it as their right and believe that the Government owes them welfare. If I am ever in a position in life where I require welfare to survive, I will be thankful for every cent I get, because someone, somewhere has to pay for it. Money does not grow on trees.

Interest Rates

My family has been slugged by about five interest rates since we bought our home one year ago. Suffice to say, it is all rather unwelcome, but has not meant significant strain. Politicians are still talking like they have influence over interest rates. Yet they only have moderate medium to long term influence through mechanisms such as investment in skills and removing infrastructure bottlenecks.

Rosie

My daughter Rosie is almost six months old now, and is the most adorable little creature. When not screaming, she is a happy baby, smiling, giggling, chattering and attentive. Rosie gets bored easily and likes different people, situations and experiences. At times, she is incredibly focused on particular items. For some reason, she has taken to simulating coughing noises lately.

Rosie is enjoying being able to grab items and wants to eat everything. She gets upset when not in on what is happening and does her best to take playing cards out of your hands. At my parents place for dinner, the best may to placate her is to give her a large piece of lamb or similar to suck on, which looks ridiculous.

Rosie sleeps in a little sleeping bag like piece of clothing, as she kicks off all sheets. Rosie fights sleep, particularly during the day, but sleeps through the night once she finally falls asleep. My only contact with her on many days is a kiss in her cot when I get home late at night. Such is our society that career success is usually at the expense of family.

At the worst of Logan City Council politics, I came home to be informed that my baby had used the potty three times today. I always find it strange that, in the real world, people strive to hurt people for their own ends. The beautiful innocence of my daughter contrasts with the horror of what becomes of many people as they age. Does it have to be this way?

Overseas

On Friday evening I will be departing Australia, with three relatives, for Malta. I will be apart from my wife and baby as my wife was disinterested. Inevitably, I am going to find the separation from my daughter hard. Little Rosie will be completely different by the time I return in four weeks time. I hope she remembers me.

I am nervous about the impending 24 hour flight. There are two legs, Brisbane to Dubai and Dubai to Valletta in Malta. I do not enjoy flying at the best of times, so I am trying to suppress anxiety at being in the air for that long. I hope the Emirates seats are comfortable, because I am also hoping to be able to sleep on the flight (something which I could not achieve on a midnight flight from Perth).

Accommodation has been locked in overseas. Before arriving back in Australia, I will be staying in Valletta, Rome, Venice, Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London. Most of the trip will be with my father and transportation mainly by rail. I have not packed yet.

Blogging

As much as I enjoy entering some text into a computer when I have the time, this blog is gradually being neutered. I am finding that the more involved I am in politics, the less I can say. Recent events have demonstrated to me that many people can not separate my personal views from the views of my employer, Brett Raguse MP, Federal Member for Forde.

I have for some time accepted the personal costs of blogging, such as threats and slander. I have also accepted that this blog will harm me if I was to ever seriously consider running for a seat in a Parliament. The situation has changed recently, as I am now often seen as a "Brett Raguse staffer" rather than a community member in my own right outside of work hours.

At the moment, I am being decidedly reserved on my views about Logan City Council local division and Mayoral candidates. To spill the beans would, I believe, make the operation of politics locally more open and transparent. Unfortunately, it would inevitably cause more political problems and difficulties than it is worth.

Cheers

Well, I will not be present for the Local Government elections on Saturday. I am confident on a couple of outcomes, but have no idea how most of the divisions will eventuate. I suspect that most people in the general population are jaded with elections and not paying attention. I anticipate high levels of people not voting at all, donkey votes and informal votes.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 21:00  2 comments

One of the most contentious issues in Beenleigh surrounds proposals for a road to be placed through the Beenleigh Showgrounds. With Local Government elections around the corner, the fever on this issue is as hot as ever. I am, and have been for some time, a supporter of the road going ahead.

Beenleigh has traffic problems. During peak hours, the five way roundabout in the centre of town clogs up, particularly either side of George Street. With a continually growing population in surrounding suburbs, Beenleigh's traffic challenges are only going to get worse. The proposed road is part of a larger ring road to take pressure off the inner centre of Beenleigh.

Talk about a ring road through the Beenleigh showgrounds dates back to around 15 years ago, when Beenleigh was part of the old Albert Shire. The Beenleigh Show Society, responsible for the Beenleigh showgrounds, in more recent years has not had a problem with the road, but had a preferred route. In late 2006 or early 2007, with the assistance of Evan Moorhead MP, the Gold Coast City Council and the Beenleigh Show Society found an agreeable solution. The key change was using traffic lights rather than a roundabout, allowing better angles on the road and better safety for Beenleigh State School students. The road then became a done deal from the Gold Coast City Council perspective.

Enter the Save Our Showground group, which have been around for years and are a separate entity to the Beenleigh Show Society. The Save Our Showground group oppose any road through the showgrounds, under the argument that the road will, in effect, destroy the showgrounds. Holding a regular peaceful protest out the front of the Beenleigh markets, the Save Our Showground crew has many local friends and has thousands of petition signatories.

I believe that I understand where the Save Our Showground group are coming from, but disagree with their view. I am saddened by the thought of a road going through the old showgrounds, but I also recognise that change is inevitable and that this change will not be the end of the world. The road will be closed for major events, which is hardly different to the Nerang Markets or a number of other events. I also believe that we have gone beyond the point of no return.

As part of Queensland's Local Government reform, Beenleigh has moved from Gold Coast City Council to Logan City Council. With elections on the boil, candidates have been keen to not be seen taking sides in this long running quarrel. Instead of the road being a done deal, as appeared to be the case with Gold Coast City Council, the word is now that Logan City Council will review the plans. The deliberations have, incredibly, been strung out even further than they have been already.

I believe it is time the Beenleigh Show Society got certainty. The many years of deliberations have made it impossible to make the necessary investments, leaving the showgrounds depressingly dilapidated. Following the recent Gold Coast City Council agreement, the Beenleigh Show Society spent many thousands of dollars preparing for the road to go through the grounds. The new uncertainty is causing unnecessary grief to the Beenleigh Show Society and not helping the showgrounds.

The core disputes about the Beenleigh showgrounds have resulting in a number of side disputes. A great variety of heat surrounds the Save Our Showgrounds weekly Sunday morning protest out the front of the showgrounds. As far as I am concerned, while I am not in agreement with the Save Our Showgrounds group, I support the right of all people to peacefully assemble. While I believe that many local laws need to be changed, the Save Our Showgrounds group must in turn adhere to local and electoral laws.

Patronage at the Sunday markets has also been a bit down. The Beenleigh Show Society sees this as a result of the Save Our Showground crew giving people the impression that the markets and showgrounds are to be no longer. The Save Our Showground crew believe the attendance has more to do with Gold Coast City Council slogging locals with fines of over $300 for parking on the grass (where we previously parked for years unhindered). I suspect the reality involves elements of both of these interpretations.

I think that this situation would be better if some people had a nice big cup of calm the hell down. Most of the rumours and rubbish doing the rounds in relation to the showgrounds are easily resolved by some common sense and asking questions. It's so revolutionary, you know, checking the facts and all.

To return this back to roads, I believe that the road through the showgrounds will be of a moderate benefit to Beenleigh. It is only a relatively small part of a much broader solution to our traffic challenges. That given, it is a road that, if in place now, I would use daily. The long term goal, as I see it, is to keep as much unnecessary traffic out of inner Beenleigh as possible.

I would like to see a serious network of main roads circling Beenleigh. I would like to see the now four lane Logan River Road split to two four lanes at the first Beenleigh roundabout (approaching Beenleigh from the Waterford direction). Boundary Road and Logan Street leading to the Beenleigh North M1 exit as a four lane road. Hammel Street and Milne Street to the Beenleigh South M1 exit as a four lane road.

However, here and now, the road through the Beenleigh showgrounds must go ahead. The debate and deliberation has already been occurring for a generation and the main stakeholders have already reached agreement. Let the Beenleigh Show Society have the road so that they can make the investments that our showgrounds need.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 21:13  0 comments

For curious friends and family - my personal recommendations for the 2008 Local Government elections.

A general recommendation. If you choose to vote formally, use your preferences by numbering every box. Put your most preferred candidate first, your least preferred candidate last, and fill out the numbers in between. This makes sure your vote counts for one of the final two candidates in each count. If you want change, make sure to put sitting councillors last.

I have recommended a number of people who are members of the Labor Party. I have also, by chance, recommended a few reputable members of the Nationals. Recommendations are not purely along any party line, as all candidates (except the Liberals on the Gold Coast) are running as Independents.

No hard feelings to people that I have not listed with a recommendation. In a few specific divisions, I know that there are capable, decent people that I have not listed as recommended.

Please note that, with further information, I would probably make some changes to these listings and fill in the blanks.

Logan City Council Mayor --- NO RECOMMENDATION
FREEMAN, John
BARTON, Tom
SHOARD, Steve
PARKER, Pam
NOAH, Lesley Alexandra
RIMINGTON, Andrew Richard

Logan City Council Division 1
BRADLEY, Lisa
BYRON, Andrew
TYSON, Warren
LEEMING, Geoff --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 2
LAMBERT, Nancy
GRESHAM, Steve
NIELSEN, Lonnie --- RECOMMENDED
LUTTON, Russell

Logan City Council Division 3 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
McLINDON, Aidan
GRANT, John

Logan City Council Division 4 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

A note about Division 4. This Division has an incredible array of high quality candidates. I highly recommend carefully evaluating the pros and cons of each candidate. I honestly believe that you can not go wrong with most of the candidates that are running. Don Petersen has a few controversies but is an decent Councillor. Tom Childs, best known for his Presidency at the Beenleigh RSL, is a respected community leader. Sean Black, putting aside the rent bidding controvery, did a fantastic job selling us a house last year and would do a good job. I also hear generally positive feedback about Geoff Flannery and Vince Sawyer.

CHILDS, Thomas
FLANNERY, Geoff
COPLEY, Greg
BLACK, Sean
PETERSEN, Don
STARK, Rob
SAWYER, Vince

Logan City Council Division 5
ABLE, Graham
LOURIGAN, Annette --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 6
SMITH, Luke --- RECOMMENDED
PRICE, Sue

Logan City Council Division 7 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
CLARKE, Lynne

Logan City Council Division 8
TACON, Russell
DALLEY, Cherie --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 9
TOPP, Jason
BRICKNELL, Bob --- RECOMMENDED
PIDGEON, Phil

Logan City Council Division 10 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
POWER, Darren
MILLEN, Jed
BEARD, Dave

Logan City Council Division 11
SOMERS, Richard
BAN, Hajnal
FRONIS, John --- RECOMMENDED

Logan City Council Division 12
BREENE, Jennie
HACKWOOD, Ray
EATHER, Peter --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Mayor

SCHEARER, Ray
CLARKE, Ron
BRADFORD, John
TATE, Tom (Liberal Party)
MOLHOEK, Rob --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 1

WOOLARD, Leanne --- RECOMMENDED
COAD, Cher (Liberal Party)
MEHLERT, John
GATES, Donna
WAYNE, Elizabeth --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 2

TOWSON, Richard
WAYNE, John --- RECOMMENDED
ROYLE, Cheryle (Liberal Party)

Gold Coast City Council Division 3 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

DOUGLAS, Keith (Liberal Party)
BOULTON, Kristyn
PFORR, Grant J

Gold Coast City Council Division 4 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

CARROLL, Maurie
FRAME, George (Liberal Party)
GRUMMITT, Margaret
WHEELDON, Chris

Gold Coast City Council Division 5

RILEY, Daren (Liberal Party)
YOUNG, Peter --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 6

THOMPSON, Grant (Liberal Party)
CRAWFORD, Glen
CRICHLOW, Dawn --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 7

MAGIN, Don
DOUGLAS, Susie --- RECOMMENDED
MAC ANALLY, Jim (Liberal Party)

Gold Coast City Council Division 8

TOOMA, Anna (Liberal Party)
TAYLER, James
RIGAUD, Jacques --- RECOMMENDED
LA CASTRA, Bob

Gold Coast City Council Division 9

WOOD, Dan (Liberal Party)
POOLE, Andy --- RECOMMENDED
SHEPHERD, Ted

Gold Coast City Council Division 10

SARROFF, Eddy --- RECOMMENDED
TAYLOR, Paul (Liberal Party)
SIMS, Andy

Gold Coast City Council Division 11 --- NO RECOMMENDATION

HUGHES, Wayne
CRANE, Shannon (Liberal Party)
GREW, Jan

Gold Coast City Council Division 12

WAREING, Irene --- RECOMMENDED
BETTS, Greg
TAYLOR, John
IMRIE, Terry (Liberal Party)

Gold Coast City Council Division 13

COOK, Georgia (Liberal Party)
McDONALD, Daphne
WYATT, Paul --- RECOMMENDED

Gold Coast City Council Division 14

VANZINO, John (Liberal Party)
ROBBINS, Chris --- RECOMMENDED

Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor
STEINDL, Mike --- RECOMMENDED
BRENT, John --- RECOMMENDED
DRESCHER, Joy
YOUNGMAN, John

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 1 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
SWANBOROUGH, Derek

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 2
ADAMS, Richard
O'CARROLL, Nadia --- RECOMMENDED

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 3
SANDERS, Jennifer
WEST, Virginia --- RECOMMENDED
DUNN, John

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 4 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
BRENNAN-LOVE, Julie
COCKBURN, Dave

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 5 --- NO RECOMMENDATION
BENSTED, Kathy
WEBSTER, Don
STANFIELD, Richard

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division 6
CREIGHTON, Wendy
WEHL, Heather --- RECOMMENDED

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 21:27  4 comments

The rot surrounding these elections has led me to think about nature of Local Government representatives. What is it that we really want to see in a person who will be paid $100,000 a year to fight over footpaths and where you can place a sign? I come back to notions such as:

1) A moderate level of services for a moderate cost. There is always this unfeasible demand for services but anger at rising rates. I prefer a low to moderate level of services and low rates. I accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Where does the candidate sit?

2) A lack of corruption. Will strange and wonderful favours result from campaign donations to the candidate? Will developments with glaring drainage, erosion or similar problems from the right people be supported by the candidate? Will the candidate represent constituents or developers?

3) Rising above the filth. The Local Government elections are proving to be a disgusting cesspit of rumours, lies and innuendo. Does the candidate have the moral fibre to avoid the muck, play a straight bat, and rise above the filth?

4) Dignity and respect. Will the candidate treat their constituents, community workers and business leaders with respect and dignity? Has the candidate done so in the past? Has the candidate done so during this campaign?

5) Caring about their community. Does the candidate have a genuine love and affection for their community and the people in it? Have they been active outside of the election campaign? The candidate should be open, accessible and interested in your community.

Local Government authorities deal with relatively small biscuits. Party ideology has at best a minor influence on the actions of elected Local Government representatives. Dare I say, I am leaning towards thinking that the quality of the candidate may be more important than party colours on the Local Government front.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 20:27  1 comments

Political leanings of candidates in the 2008 Logan City Council elections.

Thankyou to those who made this possible, who shall go unnamed with the exception of Lin at Cedar Grove View.

This information comes with the following precautions:

1. This is not going to be completely accurate. Please e-mail corrections to stuart.fenech@gmail.com

2. I have consciously decided to not post certain information. Information on when a person has handed out for a party is omitted, as it is patchy at best. There are a couple of cases where I know people are friends of people, but again, this information is patchy. I have also removed the "nut" label from a couple of deserving candidates (the best individual I know of is running in Division 4).

3. Logan City Council candidates, irrespective of political affiliation, will be elected as independents and not constrained by party platforms. Political affiliations are only useful as an indication of where the political ideology of a candidate is positioned. For the most part, the personal characteristics of the candidates are more important than the colours.

The goods:

Mayor
FREEMAN, John --- Independent
BARTON, Tom --- Labor
SHOARD, Steve --- Independent
PARKER, Pam --- Independent
NOAH, Lesley Alexandra --- Independent (wife of Andrew)
RIMINGTON, Andrew Richard --- Independent (husband of Lesley)

Division 1
BRADLEY, Lisa --- Independent
BYRON, Andrew --- National; ex-Liberal
TYSON, Warren --- Liberal
LEEMING, Geoff --- Independent

Division 2
LAMBERT, Nancy --- Lutton
GRESHAM, Steve --- Independent
NIELSEN, Lonnie --- Labor
LUTTON, Russell --- ex-Labor

Division 3
McLINDON, Aidan --- National; ex-Liberal
GRANT, John --- Independent; Christian Conservative

Division 4
CHILDS, Thomas --- Independent; Beenleigh RSL
FLANNERY, Geoff --- Unknown
COPLEY, Greg --- Independent
BLACK, Sean --- ex-Labor
PETERSEN, Don --- ex-Labor
STARK, Rob --- National?
SAWYER, Vince --- Independent

Division 5
ABLE, Graham --- Ex-Labor?; Ex-National?
LOURIGAN, Annette --- Independent

Division 6
SMITH, Luke --- Independent; Christian Conservative
PRICE, Sue --- Independent; Men's Rights Activist

Division 7
CLARKE, Lynne --- Independent; Conservative

Division 8
TACON, Russell --- National
DALLEY, Cherie --- Labor

Division 9
TOPP, Jason --- Independent
BRICKNELL, Bob --- Labor
PIDGEON, Phil --- Independent; Conservative

Division 10
POWER, Darren --- ex-Labor; ex-Democrat; ex-National?
MILLEN, Jed --- Unknown
BEARD, Dave --- Unknown

Division 11
SOMERS, Richard --- ex-Liberal
BAN, Hajnal --- National
FRONIS, John --- Labor

Division 12
BREENE, Jennie --- Independent
HACKWOOD, Ray --- ex-Liberal
EATHER, Peter --- Labor

Reminder - corrections to stuart.fenech@gmail.com

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 22:16  7 comments

I am going to make an embarrassing admission. Younger and more naive than now, in early 2004 I casually walked into the Logan Village polling booth and helped elect Joy Drescher as Mayor of Beaudesert Shire. Sure, I put Ms Drescher 7th out of 8, but I put her main competition 8th. Now, I have met Ms Drescher, and she was nice enough, but our politics are rather different. I would not have chosen to help elect a member of the Nationals as Mayor.

Realising my crime, I became annoyed by the lack of honesty and transparency in the whole local government election process. All of the candidates claimed to be "independent" but rarely were they genuine independents. I was not bothered if people had party political affiliations, but believed that they should be honest and upfront about those links.

Here in 2008, a number of things are apparent that were not so in 2004. I am going to write about these matters from the perspective of a rank and file member of the Labor Party. That given, the situation is likely to be similar in the Liberal and National Parties. I am hoping to give some insight into the operation of party politics of 'independents' in Local Government.

The topic of upfront party politics in local government is controversial in the Labor Party. Some people believe that voters do not want to see parties in Local Government. Some people believe that party politics would bring discipline and accountability to Local Government. There are a number of arguments for and against it that result in continuation of the status quo.

The Labor Party has traditionally only endorsed Labor Party candidates in the Brisbane, Townsville and Duaringa councils. Duaringa, in a stunning demonstration that Local Government reform lynched Labor friends and foes alike, has now been annexed into the Central Highlands (Emerald) Regional Council. So currently, Labor Party members are not allowed to run as Labor candidates outside of Brisbane and Townsville.

Because candidates run as independents rather than as members of the Labor Party, they are not committed to any Labor Party policies. This leaves elected local representatives who are members of the Labor Party in a sort of limbo where they are, but are not, Labor. While they believe and support the objectives of the Labor Party, they can and do act as independents in terms of council policy.

Let's face it. Most items dealt with by a local council are not ideological. The foundations of our major political parties were not on who would place the most ideologically sound footpaths in front of your house. So while party politics gives an indication of the leanings and values of candidates, it is not as critical as in State or Federal elections.

In the end, the political affiliation of an independent candidate is only useful for giving an indication of the way the candidate sees the world. It has relatively little influence on the actions of the candidate should they be elected. For the average voter, the quality of the candidate will be more practically important than the political leanings of the candidate.

I hope the above helped to explain the politics of Local Government in our area.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 23:07  2 comments

"854AA No jurisdiction to make local laws and subordinate local laws prohibiting placement of election signs or posters
(1) A local government has no jurisdiction to make a local law or subordinate local law prohibiting, in its area, the placement of election signs or posters for an election under this Act, the City of Brisbane Act 1924, the Electoral Act 1992 or the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cwlth).
(2) A local law or subordinate local law, to the extent it is contrary to subsection (1), is of no effect.
(3) In this section—election signs or posters means signs or posters that are able, or are intended—
(a) to influence a person about voting at an election; or
(b) to affect the result of an election."
- Local Government Act 1993

Once again, an election is happening, and I find myself in irritation at the issue of election signage.

Today, my irritation is directed at Cr Ray Hackwood, no longer an official Gold Coast City Councillor but running now for Division 12 in Logan City Council. A number of signs for Cr Hackwood have been erected on public land in the last few days, including at the intersection of Brigade Drive and River Hills Road in Eagleby, and in Main Street in Beenleigh. Cr Hackwood knows as well as I do that these signs are illegal by his own Gold Coast City Council laws.

The Queensland Local Government Act states the Local Governments do not have jurisdiction to mess with election signage. Gold Coast City Council has fudged this area for some time by insisting that they do not have "laws" in relation to election signage, but "regulations". The standard advice is that the Gold Coast City Council argument would not stand up in court, but everyone circles around the flame and it has not gone to court.

Under the existing Gold Coast City Council arrangements, practically all election signage is illegal. From my discussions, the placement of signage on public land is clearly illegal and this is not an issue with which I have a problem. The contention is over private land, which I and most people contend should be free for private citizens to display signs as they please. In the case of Cr Hackwood, while his council staff harass people over signage on private land, he brazenly breaks the laws on public land.

Signage laws, in effect, primarily entrench the position of those in power. Signage restrictions advantage incumbents, who start with name and face recognition advantages from the start. Yet come election time, the people who make the laws happily break their own laws, while at the same time wielding the laws against dissenters.

In Cr Hackwood's case, a group of dissenters being quite effectively punished are his foes in the Save Our Showground (SOS) activist group. The weekly SOS protest on Sunday mornings out the front of the Beenleigh Showground has been severely neutered by friends of Cr Hackwood enforcing Gold Coast City Council bylaws to the letter. I am neither here nor there on the activities of SOS, but the hypocrisy of Cr Hackwood is astounding.

I will make this clear. Council laws in relation to signage need to be fair, simple and equitably enforced. At the moment they are a poor game of chess, played most skilfully by those that know the rules and choose to break them. If council does not want a free for all, signage on public property should be banned, while no attempt should be made to touch signage on private property. Simple, effective and clear.

In the mean time, I will not be reporting Cr Hackwood's signage to the (decidedly friendly, it turns out) enforcement chap. While annoyed, I am resisting personally the pathetic signage games that dominate elections. I have never stolen a piece of signage or reported any signage to the authorities. I would prefer to keep it this way - clean and honest - and it would dearly help if Councillors put in place simple, fair laws and followed them.

The final word on my local Councillor belongs to a friend of mine, who dispassionately comments:

"For him, the law itself isn't a limiting structure, it's simply a tool that can be wielded. Which is the common view of the corrupt, really, which is why it's so hard for liberals to oppose them."

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 20:50  3 comments

Local Government elections are to be held on the 15th of March 2008 and I have made little secret that I am pleased to be out of the country on this date. I have few personal grievances with anyone standing and quite like a handful of candidates yet overall, Local Government is a cesspit. Compared to State and Federal politics, local politics is a nightmare.

My teeth have been cut on Gold Coast City Council politics. The threats over innocuous political signage on people's private property. The fining of locals for parking in harmless places that we have parked on for 25 years without harassment. The professional cash for favours system that is virtually impossible to prove, as the decent Cr Peter Young discovered. When Cr David Power resigned and was employed by property developers, who he was representing did not change. Gold Coast City Council is a perverse world.

I am in the part of the world that is moving from Gold Coast City Council to Logan City Council. It is a completely different beast to Gold Coast City Council, but every bit as ugly. All that is different in this part of the world is that no one would choose to be seen as Liberal Party and the vile nastiness is brutal and upfront rather than smooth and professional.

Here are some characteristics of the current Logan City Council election battles:

- Innuendo and attacks about the health of all three mayoral candidates in the local Albert and Logan News.

- Significant amounts of signs being knocked over and or cut in half. These are characteristics normally more suited to nastier by-elections.

- Candidates, particularly Mayoral Candidate Pam Parker, doorknocking every house with good road visibility, to get signs in their front yard.

- Mayoral candidate John Freeman purchasing www.pamparker4mayor.com and www.pamparkerformayor.com.

- Logan City Council employees launching heavy fines for political signage of candidates on motor vehicles, while ignoring that of existing councillors rerunning.

- Harassment of political activists via scurrilous complaints to the Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council and Queensland law enforcement authorities.

- Rumours, innuendo and outright lies circulating about any candidate that stands a chance, circulated through well established gossip channels. Proving that sitting councillors and many candidates really have too much time on their hands.

- In an impressive new low, the posting of the home phone numbers of elderly political activists in Beenleigh public toilets with "call this number for a good time".

Why is it, that when the fight is over such seemingly minor, non ideological issues like footpaths and rubbish bins, that there is so much viciousness? Perhaps elected Local Government positions are the best paying low level management jobs around? I am not sure, but I am confident that I have never, ever seen, at any level of government, the volume of filth that I have been observing in the battles for Logan City Council.

While realising the selfishness of this view, watching the fights has left me wondering if we even need local government. Do we really need it? Services like wheelie bins, footpaths, parks, gutters, planning regulations and what not could be stripped back to some formula. Why is the local government gravy train regarded as sacrosanct? Sometimes I wonder if the true error made during Queensland Local Goverment reform was to retain Local Government.

It's approaching midday on Saturday, and I probably should be out there trying to help a couple of mates who are candidates for the upcoming election. Then again, I just work up, breakfast is cooking and there is light rain outside. Despite working so hard that I have only seen my baby girl awake on one weeknight in two weeks, and resenting Local Government behaviours to the core, most weekends I am still helping candidates.

Suffice to say, my heart is not in it.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 11:56  4 comments

"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
- Apology to Indigenous Australians, to be spoken in Parliament 13 February 2008.

Tomorrow, the Rudd Labor Government will be making a formal apology to Indigenous Australians in respect to the stolen generations. This symbolic action is intended to establish a relationship of mutual respect between Australia's Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. It is to be a basis from which a united Australia can work together on our collective challenges.

I believe that the apology to Indigenous Australians is the correct action. From the removal of Indigenous Australians from their land to the race specific stolen generation policies, the treatment of Indigenous Australians here has been dreadful. The stolen generation era policies devastated the intricate social and family structures of Indigenous communities. The pain and suffering unnecessary inflicted on Indigenous Australians haunts the present.

I lean against financial compensation for the stolen generations. I believe that substantial investment in decent services would yield better results. Remote communities face ongoing challenges in the provision of health, education, child safety, police and other government services. At this moment in time, I perceive improvements to these services as more beneficial than upfront compensation.

While strongly supportive of the apology, I admit that I am politically nervous. I think that if there was a ballot, people would vote against the apology in the Beenleigh area. However, I do believe that, with a little information, most people would support the apology. Three common misunderstandings are all that stand in the way:

(1) A lot of people believe that the Rudd Government is apologising on behalf of individuals, therefore placing guilt and shame on individuals. I started off with concerns along these lines myself a number of years ago. However, the apology is about the current government apologising for the policies of previous governments. It is about acknowledging the past to embrace the future.

(2) A number of people believe that the treatment of Indigenous Australians was no different to non-Indigenous Australians at the time. This is not correct. Briefly, Indigenous Australians were regarded as a dieing race, and policies were put in place to effectively destroy the remaining culture via "merging" and other abhorrent concepts. I recommend perusing the "Bringing Them Home" report for more information on this sad part of our history.

(3) A few people believe that Indigenous Australians were all removed from their parents due to neglect or abuse. While some children were fairly removed for welfare reasons, most were removed for the ideological reasons previously noted. Again, the "Bringing Them Home" report is the best place to go for a full understanding.

The apology to Indigenous Australians has brought the uglier side of Australia out into the open. A chain e-mail has ripped through the country with the title of "Australian Apology to the Aboriginal Population." The e-mail features grand cultural ignorance, stereotypes and outright lies to present Indigenous Australians as being drunk, violent cannibals who had an incredible stroke of luck to be invaded by Europeans.

I am convinced that the disrespect and mockery of Indigenous Australians occurring in some quarters would not be accepted if directed at any other race. Even in this day and age, it appears that many people would treat their dog better than an Indigenous Australian. We still have a long way to go before people are judged on their actions rather than the colour of their skin.

The way I see it, most Indigenous people merely want what most people want. Most Indigenous Australians seek respect, understanding, dialog and a touch of kindness. It is a barrier to progress when a certain proportion of your co-workers, customers and people on the street judge you on the colour of your skin. We deal with people, not races.

The symbolic apology must be supported by practical improvements in services, which has already started was a $261 million investment in improving the health and early development of Indigenous children. I also believe that the Indigenous Intervention in the Northern Territory should be re-evaluated to focus on results rather than cynical politics.

# posted by Stuart Anthony Fenech : 21:30  5 comments