Leaders’ Log
If you have an interest in Leadership Development, check out my new blog Leaders’ Log.
Privatisation a Dangerous Power Play
Morris Iemma in direct defiance of his own party’s peak decision-making body, the State Labor Conference, has decided to privatise the electricity industry. Aside from the probable consequences of job losses and higher electricity prices, it will be interesting to see what this will mean for a Premier out of step with his constituency.
Planning Reform Too Centralist
I am concerned over elements of the planning reforms proposed by the NSW Department of Planning.
While having Regional Planning Panels make decisions on large developments may make sense in Sydney, regional Councils are best placed to determine developments that can have significant impacts on the local environment and economy.
Local government in regional NSW has the right and responsibility to plan for the future of their area, and that is undermined when the State Government wades in and takes away the decision-making power on important developments.
Contribution to the Election Donation Debate
The current rules only require candidates to disclose donations made prior to 30 days before the election. This means that the community is not make aware of significant donations made in the last 30 days of the election campaign, or even after the election itself.
Councillors and MPs should be made to declare all significant donations in their Disclosure of Interest Return, which is accessible to the public.
I don’t think banning donations would be effective, because it would push campaign contributions underground. However, a cap on contributions, particularly from corporations, might curtail the excessive influence corporations can have.
I would support some public funding towards the campaign expenses of local government candidates. This would enable a broader range of people to run, including those of lesser financial means.
Port Macquarie - Hastings Council: Unfair Dismissal
The sacking of Port Macquarie - Hastings Council is unjustified and serves no benefit to the people of the area, who will be denied the opportunity to vote for their leaders at the local government elections along with the rest of the State in September this year. There has been not one single instance of corruption or any law broken.
A Beginning
As a Councillor, I have maintained www.cam.com.au to keep my community informed of local government issues. While a number of posts to that site have related to State politics, the majority of posts cover local issues that may not be relevant to those beyond the boundaries of Port Macquarie - Hastings. Clearly, I have two discrete audiences: those in Port Macquarie - Hastings and those elsewhere in the State. It is for the latter that this site is dedicated.
In considering the possible scope, style and audience for a political blog, I looked at many hundreds of blogs. Most political blogs in Australia focus on international and Federal politics. There is a scarcely occupied niche for blogs dedicated to covering politics in New South Wales.
All posts are my considered opinion. Feel free to respectfully disagree with anything I say (comments in agreement also most welcome). I am happy to receive constructive feedback on the site. I do hope you enjoy it; after all, I’m writing it for you.
Politics NSW
The New South Wales motto translates as "Newly risen, how brightly you shine". As a newly risen web log, this site aims to shine a bright light on the challenges, achievements and controversies of State politics. Cameron Price is the author of all posts.
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