a good list to be at the bottom

May 8, 2012

With an election just around the corner, it is extremely important that the community be aware of what happens behind closed doors, especially now as our draft Revenue Pricing Policy and delivery programs are on public exhibition. Below is a link to a story in todays SMH. 

While I’m the first to highlight problems I am also delighted to share the positives, in this instance Liverpool Council has come out as an example of what is a better outcome than councillors on Hurstville council. Whether it is the diligence of the community watching or lessons learned from past mistakes…well done Liverpool.

Nice to have some positive press.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/councils-count-the-cost-of-administration-in-electronic-age-20120507-1y8sh.html#ixzz1uE9PNwuU


Does Money buy your Vote?

May 3, 2012

Firstly let me clarify, I’m not suggesting anyone has or will be actually paid to vote. What I am suggesting or better still asking is; does the flash and fancy of politicians sway you?

 One local organisation is investing considerably in a pre-emptive ‘who do you vote for to get Liverpool out of debt’ marketing/poll. For the record, government debt is a complex issue, and last year we invested so much in real estate.  We do have an infrastructure backlog, which is huge, but so much like every council in Greater Sydney.  And arguably this is a national issue. There are a number of governments in NSW who have preferred and do prefer to spend money on everything else but upkeep. But looking at the complex issue of council debt and spending is not really the purpose of this post.

 A number of our local residents have received automated calls asking if they would vote for Liberal, Labor, Independent or other (“other” I assume means Greens, I guess that’s a topic for another post).

 I had a chuckle really, if asked who is responsible for council debt, since Greens have never been on Liverpool council, any financial failings fall quite directly on to the Labor and Liberal (& independent) dominated councils of the past. Perhaps it’s time to enlist the expertise of the NSW Greens, after all they are the only registered party who doesn’t accepted corporate donations and has strong policy regarding sustainably economy and infrastructure.

 But my question is a) who is paying for this polling; and, b) will the fact they call and ask sway you? Will fancy flyers and huge amounts of local advertising sway you to one group or another?

Personally I’d prefer not to weigh in on the waste. We Greens, locally keep our corflutes (picture boards) to a minimum, flyers that the majority of people throw away to an absolute minimum and at the last election actually produced ‘How to votes’  on boards at some schools so as to not waste paper at all. I prefer to walk, having visited almost every house in the local council area last election on foot. For me, the financial responsibility and environmental responsibility of many parties is never best examined than in their election campaigns.

 These automated calls, whilst irritating, are also telling of a major party that doesn’t really want your ideas. They are not asking you if you have read the budget currently on public exhibition by council, they are not asking you what you would do, what programs you would like to see to address infrastructure and sound management of Liverpool’s finances. They want  to know if you associate one party with good economics primarily. It’s a dummy play designed to get your attention, simplify issues and save the major parties being properly examined for being responsible for many of the financial issues Liverpool currently has.

 Are you convinced? Is the appearance of election funds instil in you a sense that here is a financially able candidate? Does fancy advertising sway you?

 In a day and age where people can’t pay their electricity bills, and others are living on the streets do you feel this is an appropriate way to get elected?

 So now it’s your turn.

What are you looking for in a candidate?

What sorts of things irritate you during election campaigns?

Does the bellowing mouth piece of call you at home during dinner truisms, one liners and subtle word association games invigorate your sense of political participation? Or does it make you wish they would just go away?

Do you think there are more important things we should be talking about as we prepare to elect a new council, things beyond 1980′s economic word association games and one liners?


Miller Library and free Wi-fi

June 27, 2011

As a long time supporter of the community libraries and the possibility of Miller library moving into a more modern and better equipped facility I have some serious concerns over the choice of location for the proposed new shopfront Library.

Having lived in the 2168 area for 37 years and being acutely aware of its history and propensity for inappropriate behaviour, moving the Miller library to the shop outside the centre bordering the pub is not the best choice.

Firstly it will border the Pub car park and the pawn broker; however my most serious concern is that the security officers we would be taking support and security from rarely frequent that part of the centre. This particular area of the shopping centre isn’t as regularly patrolled as would be a shop either inside the centre or on the northern side where pedestrian traffic could help monitor comings and goings. It’s on the fringe and not necessarily the pretty side of the centre.  The whole proposal is supposed to be for safety and security of staff and patrons, a late night close leaving through the pub car park certainly doesn’t instil this safety in me or anyone I’ve asked.Fingers crossed I’m wrong on this and security and location will be perfect for the residents who love to use this local library.

Then there’s the  FREE WI-FI in Bigge Park everyone I spoke with about this particular option laughed, offering free wi-fi to non residents was the common comment.  Having now read the excessive costs associated to this project I strongly believe that the proposed installation costs and upkeep of the Free Wi Fi is far from being free for the ratepayers of Liverpool. The proposed installation cost alone could provide 50 +metres of shared footpaths, or a number of bus shelters, additional access points for disabled ratepayers, another suburban play ground or trees and road works, all of which would be used by more local people than would the free internet, without the continuing cost of upkeep associated with providing wi-fi when it is available free across the road at the library.  

These are just two of the topics on tonight’s agenda at the council meeting, drop by and watch our councillors in action, listen and learn is all I can say.. of course come up and say hi, I’m generally somewhere near the front row…


Saturday 14th August, 2010

August 13, 2010

As promoted earlier this week, please join the Three GREEN’s local candidates, Lauren Moore (Werriwa) Susan Roberts (Hughes) and Me (Fowler) in the Maquarie Street Mall between 10am and 12.30 tomorrow morning. 

There will be ample opportunity for you to ask questions of your candidate and printed material to take home to read about the Greens Policies , hopes and vision for South West Sydney.

Please take a few minutes out of your busy day to drop by and say hello, we’ll be at the north end of the mall on Elizabeth Street (opposite Westfields).

Lauren (Far Left)

Susan (Middle)

and Me (right)


Question 2

August 11, 2010

As promised last week I’ll install on my site the complete answer to the Questions posed in the Champion for candidates…

here is Champion Question 2 Election 2010


Positively delightful

August 9, 2010

Thank you to all the lovely people who chatted and took my information in Bonnyrigg on Saturday, it delights me how positive people are, and how keen to understand the policies of the Greens. I really feel the time is now for informed politics, people no longer want to accept what is being told to them as gospel. They ask questions and deserve honest answers and are looking to the Greens for them.

A big thank you to our great team who are out delivering leaflets, talking to people and generally raising awareness of the Greens here in Labor heartland, the people are what make the Greens great, they represent the grass roots  community, share ideas and walk the walk. I’m so proud to be there with you.

Make a note in your diary, next Saturday 14th, all three local Greens candidates (Fowler, Hughes & Werriwa) will be in Liverpool for a get to know us morning…. come and meet the Local Green’s. More info later in the week


Pending Election

July 2, 2010

A Federal election is just around the corner, as the Greens candidate for Fowler I will be making myself even more available to meet with community groups.  If you are a member of a group and would like me to have a chat with them, please call me on 8777 5599. The Greens are a relatively new force out here in South West Sydney after many years of Labor domination and my goal is for residents to understand our policies, understand that we are all wanting and deserving of the same treatment and to help them understand who the Greens are.

I want to meet you, call me on 8777 5599 or email me through this site or:  fowler@greens.org.au  also check out the Greens website at www.Greens.org.au

Also if you’re not sure whether or not your enrolled – DO IT NOW http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Update_enrolment.htm


Additional New Website

June 7, 2010

I am pleased to advise that the new GREENS Federal campaign  website has just been posted… http://greens.org.au/fowler will be another way you can learn about the happenings, events, people  and policies being put forward by the Australian Greens leading up to the federal election. This will also be an ideal link to follow the happenings of the Greens Lead candidate in the Senate Lee Rhiannon.

 I invite you to log on from time to time to see more of the BIG picture stuff, whilst this blog will continue with the more  day to day stuff as it happens in and around Liverpool and Fairfield.


A word of Caution

May 27, 2010

I am becoming increasingly aware that several of our local politicians are making promises to you that their parties will not be able to live up to. At a time when Liverpool is subject to many different issues, the prevalence of undoable promises may be used to grab your attention and potentially your vote.

A perfect example is the Intermodal (Freight and Container storage HUB) at Wattlegrove: it is good to have the local Libs questioning the Intermodal, but their opposition is essentially meaningless unless the powers in their own Party come out and officially repudiate what is their policy and initiative. I would have thought they would be well aware that such public protestations that don’t echo the official position of their Party and puts them at odds with their own team … or do they already know that, and are just indulging in populist spin?”

Please be aware of this tactic, (sadly the less credible of our local politicians, Councillors are politicians) is designed to have you think they are working for you when in fact they just want your attention knowing they won’t be able to deliver. Another perfect example of the was one councillor who the week or so before the council election said NO TO RATES rises, within a month of being elected was the first to announce the need for Rates increases.

Please consider judging these politicians (all of us as a matter of fact) on what we achieve as well as what we say. Talk is cheap.


Candidate Information Sheet (CIS)

September 2, 2008

My apologise to all that I promised an information sheet about the candidates… I (like you) am very dissappointed that most of the candidates couldn’t be bothered submitting anything of real value on their CIS. The link was put there to make choosing a candidate easier, and well, who was to know they wouldn’t make the effort en masse. All I can say is, ask around, take any opportunity you can to call/find out more about the candidates you’re thinking of voting for, Liverpool is worth the  time and we certainly don’t want to be in the same place as we’ve been.

Here’s a question for you… If they didn’t bother filling in this form how much effort do you think they’ll put into being your representative? Goodness knows I hope it is more. Also, see if you can find the group who had one person write for all of them. (He’s 2nd on their list in South, he bothered!)

Thank you to all the lovely people I spoke with on Saturday (30/8) as I toured the city/suburbs of Liverpool on the Meet the Candidates bus – not only were you all so willing to chat I was enchanted to hear your ideas and hopes for our fabulous city.

One last thing, if you’ve tried emailing me… please try again, the glitch in the system has been fixed and I’m very much looking forward to your feedback.


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