GRAB BYTES – JULY

Local Government Elections August 23

Upcoming Local Government elections in Darwin and the NT

Following council elections, you hear nothing from Councillors—only the Lord Mayor—from one election to the next. Another issue is that the only information one receives requires people to look online. 

There is no personal contact. I have not heard from any elected councillor in the Richardson Ward for at least ten years.

I often feel that the Council is more interested in structure than function, and of course, that is what has happened within many organisations and government departments.

I would add that in the last ‘many years’, the one councillor who stood out to me because of his focus on issues was the now Member for Karama in the NT Government, Brian O’Gallagher.

Euthanasia – another inquiry

I will contribute to this debate, but I am tired of contributing repeatedly over time. It is high time euthanasia came into place.  As a much younger man, I supported the Perron initiative, felt inferior and somewhat defiled by the Andrews/Burke recission bill, more than disappointed that other states went ahead,  justified in my position when the Federal Government restored the right to its territories to pursue this i I was happy for the ACT for its action, disappointed at the drag on and on in the NT, glad when the first committee delivered its comprehensive report, bemused at the delay that followed, and incredulous that we now have a second ‘inquiry built on the first inquiry’. Just get on and get it done! 

Rugby game called off by abused officials

Why should umpires and referees have to tolerate the abuse, often vile and offensive, directed at them by spectators who, in all probability, are more ‘lucid’ than usual because of beverage consumption. Good on the officials for calling the game off. 

Election ever closer 

I am internally excited and thrilled to the core of my soul that there are at least three  excellent COD councillors who are standing for the Lord Mayor’s position. We are in for an outstanding campaign.

Australia’s vulnerability in defence terms

We are vulnerable and open to being overrun quickly by any aggressive nation coming our way. Darwin would be gone within a day, and Australia would be overrun within a week or ten days. Australia is good with mock scenarios, but would be quickly skittled if the real thing were unleashed on our hapless country.

Local Government elections

There will be so many candidates vying for Lord Mayor that a dedicated insert covering all candidates for all positions in all areas is warranted. In 2017, the NT News produced an outstanding supplement on local government elections, and I just hope the editorial and management personnel consider the same again for the August 24 local government elections.

Australia and racial relations  – harmony out and tensions in

Our pussy-footing government (Federal) is absolutely to blame for allowing the envelope to be pushed on this subject. The only strength of the government in this matter is its increasingly lenient expectations and increasing accommodation of this sad situation. And then Albanese has the gall to say that Australia is a racially integrated and harmonious country!  RUBBISH!! It was once, but no longer.

So many good candidates want to be mayor – how can I choose!

The more mayoral candidates, the merrier. I wish David Tollner would consider standing. I am delighted that Amy Un has been nominated as a mayoral candidate. There are so many good people to choose from that it is causing me a major headache in selection and consideration.

Forum for mayoral candidates 

Please, may we have a live and televised forum for all mayoral candidates. It should be moderated by Matt Cunningham or Katie Woolf and accepting of audience questions.