Mood:
quizzicalTopic: nsw govt
We have received two unsolicited blog emails from NSW Leader of the Opposition Barry O'Farrell or BOFFA as he seems to be known.
Here is our response and main email received below. We've kept the font and size of BOFFA as it was received. So make your own judgement. Our response in the preface relates to the tatty record of energy privatisation in the USA courtesy of Enron scandal. Our reference to hung parliament is echoed by a posting by Lee Rhiannon MP (Green Party) on New Matilda recently called Hang this!
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----- Original Message -----From: Barry O'FarrellTo: Ecology ActionSent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:01 AMSubject: Blog: Why YOU deserve a NSW election now
Dear Ecology Action
Last week NSW found itself with its fourth Labor Premier in four years - chosen by those Nathan Rees described as the 'malignant and treacherous' forces with the Labor Party, Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi - with the public again denied any say.
In his last press conference as Premier, Nathan Rees, proclaimed:
"Should I not be Premier by the end of this day, let there be no doubt in the community's mind, no doubt, that any challenger will be a puppet of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi." (click here to watch it on YouTube)
The State's latest leadership change - and the methods used by Joe Tripodi and Eddie Obeid to deliver another ally into the Premiership - again highlights why Labor doesn't deserve to govern: public interest was again ignored; the main motivation was self-interest and Labor's election prospects.
Despite the different face at the top, nothing has changed - same factional warlords calling the shots, same Labor arrogance and incompetence, same problems facing families and business across NSW.
Where was the public's opportunity to have a say in who would be the next State Premier? For the second time in 15 months - and just two and half years since the last election - you were denied any opportunity to have a say.
Earlier this year I announced that a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would examine the option of 'recall' elections for NSW.
Recall elections - which apply in 18 US States and in British Columbia, Canada - provide the community with a means of forcing an early election.
It increases accountability, offer a safeguard against political abuse by government and can help restore confidence back into the political system.
The idea of being forced to an election by the community would provide government - even this NSW Labor Government - with the incentive to perform throughout the entire four-year term and not just in the months leading up to an election.
A recall election was the mechanisms that allowed Arnold Schwarzenegger to become Governor of California in 2003.
I believe a NSW recall provision is worth considering and debating.
In government, the NSW Liberal & Nationals intend to appoint an independent panel of constitutional experts to advise on the appropriateness and best model of introducing a recall election provision in NSW, including putting the matter to referendum at either the 2012 council or 2015 State election.
Let me know what you think about the proposal by commenting on Facebook, leave a comment at "Have Your say" or sign the early election petition at www.startthechange.com.au.
