Hi there,
I have spoken with my family, most of my old and new friends and of course my work colleagues, but now that the local Merimbula News Weekly has begun the countdown to the next local counicl elections it must be time to also publicly declare my intended candidacy for said upcoming political shindig....
Yippee you are all saying, hooray for that, what a relief, he's throwing his hat in for another public beating....actually I know that most people probably really don't care (about whether I am standing for election or not), but I do like to think so (sometimes) and ultimately you have to be in it to win it, right? :)
actually, anybody reading this blog might be thinking why (if not just bully for you, now go away)? but the why is a good question - why bother, what is my motivation, what's in it for me, what is my agenda, etc...
well, apart from the staggering fame and glory and the fabulous salary that comes with being a local councillor, not to mention always being able to jump to the front of the bar queue, my real policy is transparency...the council represents us, so why can't we know what is going on? why does our council make such weird decisions? what does the council actually have influence over, and what does the bureacracy really control? plus of course world peace, and a sustainable community made up of healthy, wealthy, educated members whom are the envy of everyone!
But no real 'policy' announcements or positions to make at this time (although anyone interested can of course read any of my previous posts to get a really solid feel for what I am all about).
However, what I do intend to bring to the council table (if elected) is all of me: my professional and personal experiences, my ability to listen and consult, my ability to actually make decisions and get on with the job. To get things done, to do things fairly.
So if you like stability, the status quo, how things are, being kept in the dark, increasing your rates, watching the Snowy and Euro shires thrive whilst we squabble over who can best ruin tourism then don't vote for me. I'm not your person for that.
But if you want to disrupt the council, the behemoth bureacracy, to actually be represented, to know that someone is making decisions not on party policy positions or personal interests but what is good for the community overall, what might actually create opportunities for my childrens future, then vote for me. I am your person for that.
so all I need now is just a few hundred votes to get through the door (actually at least 800 or so would be ideal)...counting on you and your friends for that....
Oh, and here is a prediction - in the local Merimbula News Weekly (Wed25April2012) p5 has an article with 4 existing concillors 'undecided' if they will run again....as if. They all will.
cheers :)
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Pambula Hospital - what a sham! just what is the truth?
Well I wish I knew what the truth was. What I do know is this:
the local council now has diddly real influence in the decision making process for the new Federally and state funded hospital in Bega...although their input at the time when the location was not yet decided was probably more biased than it should have been. Any 'referendum' on the subject at the next local election will neither prove anything or any feasible path of action, apart from being far too late - the time to act was during the state election, but you missed your chance, and we don't get to vote again for another 3 years...wonder if this will still be a hot topic then?
Talking about the state election, we now have a new elected Liberal Government now doing exactly the same things that the old elected labour government did - closing Pambula hospital by stealth, by attrition, by arms length, by bureacrats, by spin, by 'budget measures', by splitting the community (and pitting us against ourselves) but ultimately by pure condescension - our state pollies just don't care becuase they really do believe that most of the local voters either believe the spin, are confused by the spin or they are either stupid enough or think they are rich enough to beleive that they or someone they love wont ever be so unlucky to need Pambula Hosptial and 'don't care' either way....and the sad reality is the pollies have been proven right in this thinking time and time again. I have seen our local state member support both sides of the Pambula Hospital debate with skill and expertise, and not a single person is calling him on his bluff. He said he would restore Pambula Hospital - and he hasn't - this is a fact. Who is to blame? Well, obviously the local member is, but we are too...who voted them in?
If you want real representation, don't vote for a party hack - vote for a local independant who wants what you want, not some faceless party member back in Sydney.
the local council now has diddly real influence in the decision making process for the new Federally and state funded hospital in Bega...although their input at the time when the location was not yet decided was probably more biased than it should have been. Any 'referendum' on the subject at the next local election will neither prove anything or any feasible path of action, apart from being far too late - the time to act was during the state election, but you missed your chance, and we don't get to vote again for another 3 years...wonder if this will still be a hot topic then?
Talking about the state election, we now have a new elected Liberal Government now doing exactly the same things that the old elected labour government did - closing Pambula hospital by stealth, by attrition, by arms length, by bureacrats, by spin, by 'budget measures', by splitting the community (and pitting us against ourselves) but ultimately by pure condescension - our state pollies just don't care becuase they really do believe that most of the local voters either believe the spin, are confused by the spin or they are either stupid enough or think they are rich enough to beleive that they or someone they love wont ever be so unlucky to need Pambula Hosptial and 'don't care' either way....and the sad reality is the pollies have been proven right in this thinking time and time again. I have seen our local state member support both sides of the Pambula Hospital debate with skill and expertise, and not a single person is calling him on his bluff. He said he would restore Pambula Hospital - and he hasn't - this is a fact. Who is to blame? Well, obviously the local member is, but we are too...who voted them in?
If you want real representation, don't vote for a party hack - vote for a local independant who wants what you want, not some faceless party member back in Sydney.
Friday, 9 March 2012
START UP CAMP MERIMBULA NSW
Just attended my first start up camp last night, very exciting!
Heaps of ideas, talent and passion, all in our region, just proving that you don't have ot be in the big smoke to makes things happen!
This is the sort of small business start mentality and incubator emphais we need, as well as looking after establsihed small business. Don't divide the pie, create a new one!
I am looking forward to see what transpires today!
cheers
Ivan
dont wait for it, make it happen yourself, get involved in your local community today :)
Heaps of ideas, talent and passion, all in our region, just proving that you don't have ot be in the big smoke to makes things happen!
This is the sort of small business start mentality and incubator emphais we need, as well as looking after establsihed small business. Don't divide the pie, create a new one!
I am looking forward to see what transpires today!
cheers
Ivan
dont wait for it, make it happen yourself, get involved in your local community today :)
Why voting for a party is voting for second best
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the people who we elected to represent us in Government actually represented us? Our needs, our community, our future?
Not their 'party' or their parties major 'sponsors'...
Now, I can appreciate that when we vote for a member of a party we might be making assumptions about that persons values, or most likely voting patterns, that is, they will vote with and align with the party they represent. And that when we make a decision to vote for that person/party, that is what we are really voting for.
But the safety blanket of believing that we know what a party stands for (eg Liberal, Labour, Greens, Demoscrats etc) is now long gone.
Major parties change their policies and their views over time as our society evolves, and I am fine with that...in fact, I would be advocating for that to happen if it wasn't!
But how many people still vote liberal or labour because they feel that that the 'party philsophy' or reason for existence is somwhow in line with their own personal philosphy of life?
When in fact I would argue that these parties have moved much closer together in terms of major policy than ever before. So how do you discriminate?
And before we can explore that thought, let's set the scene a bit and be realistic - I am really talking either voting labour or liberal in the context of Australian politics - if you aren't likely to vote for one of these parties then you have already started to think objectively (yay!) and have made a decision to make your vote count more materially by voting for some other person/party...good on you! Or be a swinging voter....
But for those that are still voting out of some kind of knee jerk reaction, how then are you discriminating between these two major parties? Big government vs small? 'less red tape' so you can do the things you want without living in a nanny state? but enough red tape to protect you from the actual idiots and criminals whom also inhabit our society...where do you draw the line?
Who pays for roads, rubbish collection, hospitals, education of our kids? As a society, how do we control the media, communications companies, defence (and making decisions about war), import tariffs etc?
Things just aren't that simple. And what a tragic reflection of our society that significant, important and complicated issues must be dumbed down to a twitter limited 140 character grab? Is the media not embarrassed about perpetuating this dilemma?
Obviously many people don't think about these things, or just don't have the time whilst trying to put brread on their own family table, and who can blame them.
So, what is happenning? How do we make these decisions, consciously or subconsciously?
I think that many of us might be aligning ourselves with a character, a person, a supposed 'gut feel' that they are like us. And hope or assume that these people have done the hard intellectual yards and we can blissfully just vote for them/the party they represent, and get on with our lives.
I agree with this as a good approach - we are the dominant species on the planet for a reason, and one of those reasons is our 'built in' communication skills - but this only works if that person actually did do what they perported that they would do. We can all probably think of examples where pollies say one thing which has a common meaning but has a different legel interpretation... "I did not have sexual relations with that woman"...."I support restoring maternity services to Pambula Hospital...as long as this is economically feasible and safe for patients"...what a loop hole!
Where is the honesty in politics? Where is the score card? Where is the tally of what your representative voted for vs what they have publicly said they would do? Alas, this too is a bit complicated as well, to just so easily classify this way. But why don't our pollies wear this sort of easy information like a badge of honour? I did represent you! I did vote like I said I would (here is my history). I did apply the resources and influence of my office to resolve problems...hereis my hisotry! And look, I don't work just for major political contributors but all constituents....it would be easy.
Obviously, it isn't easy, which is why we look for the quick solutions and the advice of others....
And yes, I know - the parties don't make it easy either! They might not want you to think too much, but just vote for them. And this is where modern politics has evolved the political beast. All spin, no depth. Which is why voting for a party may not be the best choice for you.
Sadly, we are often presented with a choice of deciding which major party don't we want in Government, rather than having the luxury of a real candidate standing up. and this must be voting for second best, rather than voting smart.
So if you are lucky enough to have an independent candidate standing in your elections, and they aren't crazy or a 'single issue' unknown, then vote for someone whom obviously cares enough about their local issues to throw their hat in the ring, and hopefully has a proven track record of being able to get things done locally.
And don't vote for a party first. Vote for them last (and think how lucky we are to live in a place like Australia where you can not only vote, but cast preferential voting so you really can have an informed say! Let the parties know what you really think, don't let them take you for granted).
cheers
Ivan :)
Not their 'party' or their parties major 'sponsors'...
Now, I can appreciate that when we vote for a member of a party we might be making assumptions about that persons values, or most likely voting patterns, that is, they will vote with and align with the party they represent. And that when we make a decision to vote for that person/party, that is what we are really voting for.
But the safety blanket of believing that we know what a party stands for (eg Liberal, Labour, Greens, Demoscrats etc) is now long gone.
Major parties change their policies and their views over time as our society evolves, and I am fine with that...in fact, I would be advocating for that to happen if it wasn't!
But how many people still vote liberal or labour because they feel that that the 'party philsophy' or reason for existence is somwhow in line with their own personal philosphy of life?
When in fact I would argue that these parties have moved much closer together in terms of major policy than ever before. So how do you discriminate?
And before we can explore that thought, let's set the scene a bit and be realistic - I am really talking either voting labour or liberal in the context of Australian politics - if you aren't likely to vote for one of these parties then you have already started to think objectively (yay!) and have made a decision to make your vote count more materially by voting for some other person/party...good on you! Or be a swinging voter....
But for those that are still voting out of some kind of knee jerk reaction, how then are you discriminating between these two major parties? Big government vs small? 'less red tape' so you can do the things you want without living in a nanny state? but enough red tape to protect you from the actual idiots and criminals whom also inhabit our society...where do you draw the line?
Who pays for roads, rubbish collection, hospitals, education of our kids? As a society, how do we control the media, communications companies, defence (and making decisions about war), import tariffs etc?
Things just aren't that simple. And what a tragic reflection of our society that significant, important and complicated issues must be dumbed down to a twitter limited 140 character grab? Is the media not embarrassed about perpetuating this dilemma?
Obviously many people don't think about these things, or just don't have the time whilst trying to put brread on their own family table, and who can blame them.
So, what is happenning? How do we make these decisions, consciously or subconsciously?
I think that many of us might be aligning ourselves with a character, a person, a supposed 'gut feel' that they are like us. And hope or assume that these people have done the hard intellectual yards and we can blissfully just vote for them/the party they represent, and get on with our lives.
I agree with this as a good approach - we are the dominant species on the planet for a reason, and one of those reasons is our 'built in' communication skills - but this only works if that person actually did do what they perported that they would do. We can all probably think of examples where pollies say one thing which has a common meaning but has a different legel interpretation... "I did not have sexual relations with that woman"...."I support restoring maternity services to Pambula Hospital...as long as this is economically feasible and safe for patients"...what a loop hole!
Where is the honesty in politics? Where is the score card? Where is the tally of what your representative voted for vs what they have publicly said they would do? Alas, this too is a bit complicated as well, to just so easily classify this way. But why don't our pollies wear this sort of easy information like a badge of honour? I did represent you! I did vote like I said I would (here is my history). I did apply the resources and influence of my office to resolve problems...hereis my hisotry! And look, I don't work just for major political contributors but all constituents....it would be easy.
Obviously, it isn't easy, which is why we look for the quick solutions and the advice of others....
And yes, I know - the parties don't make it easy either! They might not want you to think too much, but just vote for them. And this is where modern politics has evolved the political beast. All spin, no depth. Which is why voting for a party may not be the best choice for you.
Sadly, we are often presented with a choice of deciding which major party don't we want in Government, rather than having the luxury of a real candidate standing up. and this must be voting for second best, rather than voting smart.
So if you are lucky enough to have an independent candidate standing in your elections, and they aren't crazy or a 'single issue' unknown, then vote for someone whom obviously cares enough about their local issues to throw their hat in the ring, and hopefully has a proven track record of being able to get things done locally.
And don't vote for a party first. Vote for them last (and think how lucky we are to live in a place like Australia where you can not only vote, but cast preferential voting so you really can have an informed say! Let the parties know what you really think, don't let them take you for granted).
cheers
Ivan :)
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Council Elections BVSC 2012 - predictions of the issues
Well the next Bega Valley Shire Council election is due later this year (October 2012?), and I am wondering what the issues will be this time? The big issues last time in 2008 were the Wolumla tip (which has been effectively (aka legally) settled) and the local Pambula Hospital closure.
This time around I don't think the tip will get much airplay, being a done deal and all, but the hospital 'not closing but sort of' is still a very sore point for many on the lower south coast region. I don't know how local state representative Andrew Constance will extricate himself from his election promises to 'fix it', no doubt someone will point out some convoluted weasel words or political spin which will make sure the blame falls elsewhere, such is the way of modern politics now. Why can't our representatives just mean what they say and say what they mean?
Other issues are probably the Merimbula airport (it is starting to feel as complicated as a Dan Brown novel now, sans the churchy stuff), sewerage management/outfall, ongoing native forest issues (SEFE pellet plant) and as always costs of running the council and the shire itself. Not sure if the 20 year plan will get any real discussion. And what sort of a political discussion these days can get away without some reference to the peak oil energy crisis and alternative energy production?
So here is my list (subject to change without notice :)
looking forward to the debates and how close my prediction is!
and yes, I will probably nominate myself as a candidate - I honestly just think I can do a much better job. It is not enough to point out our problems, we have to also be prepared to offer (or seek) solutions and step up to implement it.
cheers and see you next time
Ivan :)
This time around I don't think the tip will get much airplay, being a done deal and all, but the hospital 'not closing but sort of' is still a very sore point for many on the lower south coast region. I don't know how local state representative Andrew Constance will extricate himself from his election promises to 'fix it', no doubt someone will point out some convoluted weasel words or political spin which will make sure the blame falls elsewhere, such is the way of modern politics now. Why can't our representatives just mean what they say and say what they mean?
Other issues are probably the Merimbula airport (it is starting to feel as complicated as a Dan Brown novel now, sans the churchy stuff), sewerage management/outfall, ongoing native forest issues (SEFE pellet plant) and as always costs of running the council and the shire itself. Not sure if the 20 year plan will get any real discussion. And what sort of a political discussion these days can get away without some reference to the peak oil energy crisis and alternative energy production?
So here is my list (subject to change without notice :)
- imminent 'not really' closure of Pambula hospital;
- Merimbula airport;
- sewerage/outfall;
- forestry issues/SEFE pellet plant proposal
- alternative energy/wind farm near Eden
looking forward to the debates and how close my prediction is!
and yes, I will probably nominate myself as a candidate - I honestly just think I can do a much better job. It is not enough to point out our problems, we have to also be prepared to offer (or seek) solutions and step up to implement it.
cheers and see you next time
Ivan :)
Sunday, 23 October 2011
I'm back!
Hello there,
well I am back at the blogface, recharged and excited to be once again swinging my own opinions around to anyone whom can be bothered to have a look out there in the internet ether!
So where have I been and what have I been doing since my last blog, way back in March 2011 (over half a year ago!) I hear you all desperately asking...well, here goes - and for those new here, please forgive the overly indulgent gasbag of my personal life, but after I get this out of my system I will stick to the more trashy political opinions I would really like to share with you instead! :)
So after my unsuccesfult tilt at the state elections (but a very healthy 4% of the primary vote!) I decided to take some time out and started the usual introspection and naval gazing, what could I do better/different/if at all next time etc and decided that before answering all those very important questions I needed to firstly reorganise my priorities between mortgage paying work and other things that I would like to be doing instead! Nothing unusual with that, almost like 95% of the rest of the world I would say....
So, yes, I am still lucky enough to be working for a great not for profit organisation, big tick there!
Have done a lot of work catching up on my owner/builder house extensions - about half way now, sort of! ?Another big tick!
But to do that I had to reduce my hours with my other activities (President of the local Merimbula Mens Shed, board member of a local charity the Mumbulla foundation, board member of the local Merimbula Chamber of Commerce) and refocus my attention on work (new job, same company!) and family...which has worked out well. All organisations amazingly managed to survive and prosper with out me being there!
I am now feeling much more relaxed and energetic, and looking forward to a tilt at the next local government elections in March 2012 - only 4 and bit months away!
Stay tuned!
well I am back at the blogface, recharged and excited to be once again swinging my own opinions around to anyone whom can be bothered to have a look out there in the internet ether!
So where have I been and what have I been doing since my last blog, way back in March 2011 (over half a year ago!) I hear you all desperately asking...well, here goes - and for those new here, please forgive the overly indulgent gasbag of my personal life, but after I get this out of my system I will stick to the more trashy political opinions I would really like to share with you instead! :)
So after my unsuccesfult tilt at the state elections (but a very healthy 4% of the primary vote!) I decided to take some time out and started the usual introspection and naval gazing, what could I do better/different/if at all next time etc and decided that before answering all those very important questions I needed to firstly reorganise my priorities between mortgage paying work and other things that I would like to be doing instead! Nothing unusual with that, almost like 95% of the rest of the world I would say....
So, yes, I am still lucky enough to be working for a great not for profit organisation, big tick there!
Have done a lot of work catching up on my owner/builder house extensions - about half way now, sort of! ?Another big tick!
But to do that I had to reduce my hours with my other activities (President of the local Merimbula Mens Shed, board member of a local charity the Mumbulla foundation, board member of the local Merimbula Chamber of Commerce) and refocus my attention on work (new job, same company!) and family...which has worked out well. All organisations amazingly managed to survive and prosper with out me being there!
I am now feeling much more relaxed and energetic, and looking forward to a tilt at the next local government elections in March 2012 - only 4 and bit months away!
Stay tuned!
Friday, 1 April 2011
Last blog - for now!
Hello there,
Just quickly, as I know most of us hate long drawn out and teary farewells....this will probably be my last blog for a while (although probably not my last). At this moment in time I do intend to have a tilt at the local Bega Valley Shire Council election in 2012, so keep an ear out!
And as for this election, wow! what an exhilerating challenge and experience. Thanks to everyone who voted for me!
Obviously congratulations are due to the liberals but let's not forget all the other candidates whom stood up for democracy and what they believe in as well. I am proud to stand, albeit in just a very small way, beside them in this electorate.
And just over 5% of the Bega electorate liked what I had to say....unless pulling the first square on the ballot paper scored a lot of donkey votes! Even if I do say so myself I think this is quite an achievement considering that I did not have any advertising, not much profile or awareness of who I was in the community, no party philosophy or policy support or an army of volunteers to help out!
Thanks to everyone whom voted, as of Saturday 2nd April 2011 the ABC election website is saying that almost 92% of the votes for Bega have been counted and I am sitting on a whopping (from my perspective!) 5.3 % or 2,336 well wishes. I am very proud and excited to have had a go, despite the fait accomple cicumstances of this election...the sooner we realise the limitations of the two party system the better!
I also hope Andrew Constance realises the enormity of his responsibiltiy to represent the people of this electorate, especially now that there is no place to hide. After 8 years of 'oppostion member' excuses he will have to either put up and deliver what little he promised for us, or risk being exposed once and for all as just another career party politician. I sincerely hope that for all our sakes Mr constance does deliver, 4 years is a very long time to put up with under funded roads and hospitals, to name just two issues affecting all of us.
all the best,
cheers
Ivan McKay
Just quickly, as I know most of us hate long drawn out and teary farewells....this will probably be my last blog for a while (although probably not my last). At this moment in time I do intend to have a tilt at the local Bega Valley Shire Council election in 2012, so keep an ear out!
And as for this election, wow! what an exhilerating challenge and experience. Thanks to everyone who voted for me!
Obviously congratulations are due to the liberals but let's not forget all the other candidates whom stood up for democracy and what they believe in as well. I am proud to stand, albeit in just a very small way, beside them in this electorate.
And just over 5% of the Bega electorate liked what I had to say....unless pulling the first square on the ballot paper scored a lot of donkey votes! Even if I do say so myself I think this is quite an achievement considering that I did not have any advertising, not much profile or awareness of who I was in the community, no party philosophy or policy support or an army of volunteers to help out!
Thanks to everyone whom voted, as of Saturday 2nd April 2011 the ABC election website is saying that almost 92% of the votes for Bega have been counted and I am sitting on a whopping (from my perspective!) 5.3 % or 2,336 well wishes. I am very proud and excited to have had a go, despite the fait accomple cicumstances of this election...the sooner we realise the limitations of the two party system the better!
I also hope Andrew Constance realises the enormity of his responsibiltiy to represent the people of this electorate, especially now that there is no place to hide. After 8 years of 'oppostion member' excuses he will have to either put up and deliver what little he promised for us, or risk being exposed once and for all as just another career party politician. I sincerely hope that for all our sakes Mr constance does deliver, 4 years is a very long time to put up with under funded roads and hospitals, to name just two issues affecting all of us.
all the best,
cheers
Ivan McKay
Independent Candidate for Bega NSW 2011
Giving our community a real choice this election
No secrets, no spin, no party politics - just genuine representation
Make a difference this election, vote for a genuine, independent and local voice!
Vote 1 Ivan McKay, Independent.
working for you: real representation, real change, real honesty in politics
Pass this message on and Vote1 Ivan McKay for real representation.
Tell your friends, there is a genuine choice for change this election!
Visit my blog to find out more: vote1IvanMcKay.blogspot.com
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