In a letter to the Editor, William Quaglio’s assertion that the Country Labor team who have nominated for Council is the same as the three YES teams who ran for Council in 2004. However, the differences between the Country Labor team running for office on September 8 and the YES team elected in 2004 are like chalk and cheese.
The Country Labor team has been open and transparent, which is totally different to the three YES teams who stood for Council in 2004, who were predominantly members of the National Party disguised as Independents. I note that Mr Quaglio claims that “group tickets are one way candidates have of standing for Council to limit the personal cost of running an election campaign”. One is reminded of the difficulty the YES team had in paying the exorbitant costs associated with their campaign. The Country Labor team is fiscally responsible and capable of paying its modest campaign expenses.
The Country Labor team has identified local issues that will be addressed when they are elected to Council and will be well qualified to face the challenges of public office as they bring both formal university qualifications, financial expertise and a diversity of life experiences to the table. Mr Quaglio places scorn on those people who work in school canteens. Was it not a humble engine driver who became one of Australia’s most successful Prime Ministers?
Will members of the National Party, standing for election to the Port Macquarie Hastings Council on September 8, identify themselves as being associated with a political party, as both the Country Labor and the Greens have done? I doubt it.
Jeff J Condron
Secretary, Port Macquarie Branch of Country Labor
