Former Wollongong City Councillor Trevor Mott thinks the fledgling Progressives would benefit on the hustings by using Wollongong’s video portal www.yoctv.com to connect their candidates with what he sees as a growing group of disaffected voters in the wider community.
When we got together over a coffee yesterday, this is what Trevor had to say about this year’s Local Government elections:
“I’m part of the North-South Coalition and we have formed a core of local people who are not only passionate about Wollongong but who also have deep concerns about where the council has been leading us.
“We already have a number of excellent candidates in the wings, in fact enough to stand in every ward, comprising many who may in the past have identified themselves as Independent, Liberal, Labor or Green supporters.
“We also have people like Vicky Curran, whose position on corporate governance is well known, expressing a strong interest in contesting the next local body election as a Progressive, although which ward has not been settled as yet.
“There are a number of other high profile candidates whose identity we will reveal in due course but I’m confident voters will be very pleasantly surprised with the talent on offer.
“I believe the single most significant plank of the Progressive’s platform is that we all believe councillors should be elected by voters who know exactly where they stand on particular issues.
“And that’s where the internet can help. Of course, YouTube was used in the Federal election for the first time last year, but it makes much more sense to use a localised video portal to promote local issues.
“Unlike free-to-air TV would-be voters can access a clip showing the candidates’ views on particular issues at any time 24/7 - in fact it is the ideal vehicle to use.
“We believe the days of decisions being made behind closed doors must become a thing of the past and transparency is the new catchcry.
“We also don’t recognise the left or right distinctions which we believe are unhelpful at the local body level.
“What’s more, the historical divide between the inner city and the outer suburbs seems to be worsening led by the perceived promotion by council officers of the so-called Blue Mile over the quickly fading Fowlers Rd Bridge and West Dapto developments.
“I also believe issues such as the introduction of Proportional Representation could shake up many traditional voting patterns this year and I understand Paul Lynch the NSW Minister for Local Government is seriously considering this particular option.
“I think I can confidently say we are going to see the most open election for many years with the real prospect of a resurgence of independents not witnessed since the halcyon days of the late Frank Arkell.”
Editor’s Note: Well known activists like Alan Bond from Stanwell Tops have already been using YocTV to make their point on local environmental issues – see Player below:
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