Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Liberals are telling lies again - I AM eligible to stand!
I want to reassure the voters of Ryan that I am eligible to stand for public office at this Saturday's election. My nomination is in perfect order. My employment ceased before the deadline. Today's press conference by the Liberals was pure desperation, with outdated claims cobbled together from web sites. The Liberals' claims are baseless, desperate and ridiculous. These claims are completely untrue. I will not be distracted by these outrageous tactics. It is now absolutely clear that the Liberal Party has nothing left to say. These claims by the Liberal Party are not news - the real news story is the utter desperation and dishonesty of the Howard Government that is evident in their fabricating such claims.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Congratulations to Westside Social Forum
I would like to thank and congratulate Westside Social Forum for their successful community meeting on health care and hospital reform. The meeting was held last Thursday at the Brisbane Workers' Community Centre and involved a some of the local political candidates. Health care is one of the most critical issues for Australia and for this election. I am pleased that Labor has a comprehensive plan to tackle the health system. Labor's National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission will be crucial to overdue reform of the health and hospital systems. You can find details of Labor's plan at http://www.alp.org.au/policy/index.php#health_&_dental_care .
Thanks to Kenmore and Chapel Hill locals
I was delighted with the turn out for my community forum with voters from Kenmore and Chapel Hill. The town hall style meeting held on Wednesday night confirmed for me once again that Ryan residents have a deep concern about the challenges we face from climate change. I am really impressed with the knowledge of the issues and the willingness of people to embrace the changes that are needed to confront global warming. It is a pity that real political leadership has been lacking on this vital issue for the past decade. But I am more than encouraged by the spirit of those who attended the forum. I will be conducting more of these forums before Election Day - details are at http://www.labor4ryan.com/ross/whatson.php.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thanks to Indooroopilly residents
Sincere thanks to all who came along to my meet-the-candidate forum on Monday night at the Indooroopilly Senior Citizens Centre. I really enjoyed the questions and discussion over a wide range of issues including the debate about economic management. My clear impression is that people believe that economic management is much more than building a surplus for tax cuts at election time. The meeting confirmed for me that people want decent education and health services and, in particular, a real response to climate change. They see these vital issues as part of economic management. I will be holding more forums before the election - details are at http://www.Labor4Ryan.com/ross/whatson.php
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Bellbowrie and Karana Downs - Thanks!
I want to thank all those who attended my community forums yesterday at Bellbowrie and Karana Downs. The forums are giving me a real chance to hear the concerns of the local community and to talk about local issues. I was very impressed by the views of local people and in particular their understanding of the challenges coming from climate warming. People certainly understand that the global warming is an international, national and local issue that can only be resolved by great cooperation at all levels of community and government. I have organised four more community forums prior to Election Day and I invite anyone to attend - go to http://www.labor4ryan.com/ross/whatson.php for details. Again, my thanks to the residents of Bellbowrie and Karana Downs for a successful and informative get together.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Congratulations, Westside Climate Change Action Group
Congratulations to the newly formed Westside Climate Change Action Group who this week hosted a very successful climate change forum at the Toowong Academy of Science Mathematics and Technology. The forum provided an opportunity for candidates in Ryan to explain their respective environmental climate change policies, though the Group expressed disappointment at the absence of our local Federal MP. The format allowed significant interaction with the audience, including plenty of forceful advice to candidates on the urgent need to tackle climate change. The Westside Climate Change Action Group is one of many local community groups dedicated to working locally on the great environmental challenges of our time. Congratulations!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Rudd's Broadband vs. Howard's Fraudband
A first class, high speed, accessible and affordable broadband system is fundamental to the future economy and absolutely essential for education, research and communications. The Howard government has failed to understand the importance of this infrastructure. Ryan is the most Internet connected electorate in Australia. People use the Internet for recreation and education, but in Ryan many businesses, including home based businesses in areas like Brookfield and Karana Downs, are dependent on broadband for their livelihood. Now we are told by the conservative think tank The Institute of Public Affairs that the Howard Government's wireless broadband does not provide the coverage they claim. You can access their report at: http://ipa.org.au/publications/publisting_detail.asp?pubid=685
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Labor Leaders - talking to Ryan locals
Last week was clear evidence that Labor is determined to give the electors of Ryan a real electoral alternative. We had visits from Labor Leader Kevin Rudd and Deputy Leader Julia Gillard both of whom spent considerable time at the Mt. Ommaney Shopping Centre. Senior Shadow Minister Jenny Macklin also got out and about in Ryan with Kevin. Kevin Rudd used his visit to announce new Labor initiatives which will result in increased financial support to older Australians, people with disabilities and carers to help make ends meet. You can get full details of this at: http://www.alp.org.au/media/1107/msagediscfcsloo010.php. During the week Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Robert McClelland was also in town, and met with local environment groups; he also held a wide ranging forum at the University of Queensland.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Congratulations, Sustainable Jamboree!
Congratulation to all those who organised the Sustainable Jamboree Forum last week, at the Centenary State High School Performing Arts Centre. This provided most political candidates with an opportunity to present their respective polices on the critical issues around climate change, the environment and energy. More importantly it revealed the determination of residents in the area to embrace climate change challenges at a local level. I remain convinced that there is no lack of understanding at the local level on these issues. It is political leadership that is now vital. With the right political leadership there is every chance that we can meet the challenges ahead. Again, congratulation to the organisers - a successful, well-attended evening.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Howard's Fraudband vs Rudd's Broadband
Ryan electorate is the top internet-connected electorate in Australia. Around 81% of all households have internet connections. Of these, around 60% have what we call broadband. Our version of broadband, however, lives in the dark ages when it comes to infrastructure and speed. Australia's broadband is 35 times slower than most other western countries and ranks 26th behind countries including Korea, Finland and Slovak Republic. And, we pay more for broadband. I have talked with many Ryan residents who are frustrated by Howard's lack of investment in this critical infrastructure. To compare your broadband choices, look at comparative times for downloading a 4MB file. You can do this at http://www.alp.org.au/action/broadband.php
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Talking with Ryan University Students
The electorate of Ryan is one of the most educated in Australia. The most recent census tells us that about 17,328 or 13.1% of the people in Ryan are attending a tertiary institution. During the election campaign, and previously as a University lecturer, I have had many opportunities to talk with students about the challenges facing them as they undertake studies. It is extremely disappointing that a recent OECD report reveals real spending on Higher Education has gone backwards during the Howard years. This has added to the pressures on students. It is absolutely essential that we invest in Universities and give students the time and space to really develop the critical thinking that is the basis for our future. Not only our future economy - but our future society! I am pleased that Labor values the Higher Education sector and is prepared to invest in our public universities and most importantly in measures that relieve the pressures on students. And all the best for those who are undertaking exams this week.
Keeping up to date with Labor's campaign in the seat of Ryan, and sharing views and information about the campaign!