Labor’s “new era” looks a lot like business as usual.

28th July, 2008 – 1:24 pm

Photo of 'business as usual' sign on construction site

As much as Labor may want to appear like they are ushering in a “new era” for themselves in Randwick, their words seems to be eerily reminiscent of Labor’s old guard.

John Restuccia – a Labor candidate in the upcoming elections – sent a letter to the Southern Courier recently which attacks Murray Matson.

Mr. Restuccia is in Labor’s second position on the ballot in South Ward, so his only chance of being elected is to either knock out the number one candidate for The Greens, or the number one candidate for the Liberals.

It seems he is employing the predictable tactic of attacking The Greens. We can only guess that he feels it’s somewhat easier to use a smooth blend of rhetoric and the “kooky Greens” line rather than issue statements of substance. This may be somewhat of a political mistake in one of The Greens strongest polling wards, and especially against their longest serving councillor.

Not only did his letter echo demonstrably false statements from previous Labor councillors with regards to parking meters and the proposed Heffron Park redevelopment, it also reviled Matson for listening to, and subsequently adopting the position of the community on these issues.

Labor can accuse The Greens of listening to the community any time they like. It’s a charge we will happily accept.

John Restuccia’s bitterly hostile letter is quoted below for context:

Councillor Murray Matson can keep his “grand” ideas.

It’s not the backflips on parking meters and selling-off parkland for apartments that’s the real issue. It’s that he came up with these ideas in the first place. Remember the Greens’ attempt to ban parents taking photos of their own kids at swimming carnivals?

Any politician can do a backflip. What we really need are councillors with sound judgement. In September we should add Cr. Matson to the same place as his dumb ideas – the political waste bin.

John Restuccia, Maroubra

The following issue of the Southern Courier carried letters from Greens rebuffing the attack. Perhaps the information in these have been a revelation for Mr. Restuccia as he is yet to respond.

By Randwick-Botany Greens | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Labor men set for a soft landing as the women go into battle.

11th July, 2008 – 4:15 pm

Mock ALP glass supplier truck
The ALP, still in the glass ceiling business.

It is interesting to note Labor talking up one of their female candidates in the upcoming Randwick elections, for in fact they will have to push her credentials quite hard as it is the women of Labor that have the fight for election on their hands.

Labor seems to have no problem with putting men in the number one position in each and every ward in Randwick, almost guaranteeing all five a position in council. Unfortunately in some wards they have left what may be better qualified women languishing in number 2 and 3 spots on the ticket where they are less likely to succeed.

Fortunately for those wanting to see some gender balance on council, the Greens are putting forward two female candidates in the first position in the ballot. Lindsay Shurey in Central Ward and Margaret Woodsmith who is likely to retain her position in North Ward – an area where the Greens have had strong results in previous elections.

Margaret Woodsmith of the Greens is currently the only female councillor in the 15 member council of Randwick. On the topic of Labor’s female candidates Woodsmith says: “I welcome the possibility of more female councillors in the chamber, but it is a shame that Labor don’t see it fit to guarantee female representation. It appears those women have been left to do all the work while the men sit comfortably on top of the ticket.”

Lindsay Shurey kept her assessment of Labor’s female candidate in Central Ward – Cathie Jensen-Lee – short and to the point when she said, “I’m not competing against their second preference candidate.”

When a gender imbalance occurs amongst it’s candidates, the Randwick-Botany Greens apply affirmative action principles to correct it. Labor clearly don’t think that the under-representation of women in the council is a big deal.

By Randwick-Botany Greens | Posted in General, Lindsay Shurey, Margaret Woodsmith | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

No developer donations? Labor’s promise, versus The Greens track record.

10th July, 2008 – 9:02 pm

Photograph of Arden Street retaining walls
Arden Street Coogee, as it once was.

The Southern Courier of the 8th of July, 2008 carries an interesting letter from Paul Tracey (p.37) in which he claims that Labor have “rejected the idea of seeking campaign contributions from developers”. Further he claims that it has banned it’s councillors from taking donations “from anyone at all”.

This raises a few questions:

  • Does “not seeking” a donation equate to “not accepting” donations from developers?
  • We would hope that Labor councillors don’t accept donations in any case, but does that mean that the party will not either? We doubt it.

While his ambiguous statements might provide him with plausible deniability later on, it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in us. Especially considering Labors past.

We should remember that recent donation “reform” from Labor all arose from a certain debacle down in Wollongong involving a shamed Labor controlled council.

Of course the Greens don’t need to be reformed in this regard – they’ve been tooting this particular horn for ages – but when Wollongong Council was sacked, it seemed it was up to Greens Councillors, Murray Matson and Bradley Hughes to remind the rest of Randwick Council that developers are not who they are supposed to be representing (PDF document – scroll down to resolution 80/08 on page 35).

When Labor say “No developer donations”, it’s a promise and a radical departure from their history.

When The Greens say “No developer donations”, it’s a fact, backed by a track record that speaks for itself.

By Randwick-Botany Greens | Posted in Bradley Hughes, General, Murray Matson | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Greens are ready.

10th July, 2008 – 10:00 am

Image of newspaper clipping depicting Greens candidates for 2008 Randwick Council elections

Today marked the official launch of The Greens campaign online to ensure a voice for the environment and the community in every part of Randwick.

On this site you can read the views of the Greens candidates on the election and various local issues as well as engage in dialogue through the comments.

The Greens will field strong candidates in every ward of Randwick in a bid to secure at least five seats on the fifteen member council.

The candidates include all three of The Greens existing councillors – Margaret Woodsmith, Bradley Hughes and Murray Matson – who are joined by local activists Lindsay Shurey and David Allison. Together they hope to extend The Greens proven track record in protecting the local environment and the interests of residents in Randwick.

“This is the most capable and experienced group of candidates The Greens have ever presented for election to Randwick Council”, said Deputy Mayor Matson. “We are confident that residents will agree and vote for a Green voice for Randwick in September.”

You can read more about each Greens candidate via their links on the right.

You can also read over the issues that The Greens have identified as most important to Randwick in this election.

By Randwick-Botany Greens | Posted in General | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)