Grievance Debate

Local Government Elections

Mr GEE (Taylor) (15:12): I rise today to talk about the recent council elections and also Remembrance Day. I think most people, especially most people in my community, are pretty glad now that the council elections are almost over. I want to congratulate all the successful councillors and mayors who have been or will shortly be elected in the Adelaide Plains, Playford and Salisbury council areas, and commiserate with all those who were unsuccessful in gaining or retaining a position.

One of the things I found interesting to see this time around was the number of posters that candidates had displayed on poles around the areas. Some candidates must have spent a small fortune. Many would now be questioning the wisdom of purchasing those posters. I have to question the value of posters in general in elections if candidates are not also campaigning on street corners and in and around shopping centres and going from door to door, talking to residents.

Most of the residents I have spoken to during this election indicated that they would be more likely to vote for candidates they have met than those they had just seen in photos on a pole. Not only is it more enjoyable to doorknock and meet the real characters who tell you all the great stories that inspire us and that we often talk about in this place but it is where we find out the main issues that residents feel strongly about. It is also where we find our community activists.

I think this is one of the most brutal council campaigns statewide, with accusations of racism and gender politics, stealing and vandalism of posters and other materials. A real concern is the rise of online activists, whose only strategy appears to be to destroy a person's reputation with one post and the subsequent comments attached to that post.

In some areas of Playford, you would have been forgiven for thinking that a state or federal election was underway, based on the amount of advertising and activity. It appears that it has become the norm now for local government elections. I believe that candidates in future local government elections should declare their political affiliation or their independence. I look forward to working with and assisting the new council members wherever possible.

I want to talk about the promises. I think I can confidently say that most candidates promised lower rates, but lower rates will mean fewer services if extravagant spending is not reined in: no more trips overseas or interstate, unless there is a demonstrated benefit, and no more funding for golf memberships. I want to see how the new councillors deliver these lower rates. There are also the perennial promises of better roads, footpaths and reserves.

Let us hope that the basics are delivered for the benefit of all residents not just a few. Given that voting is voluntary, those who did vote expect councillors to deliver on those promises. I was pleased to see the rise in nominations across the state, especially from women and our multicultural communities, and the success that female candidates enjoyed in the elections, particularly in mayoral contests.

Last Sunday, it was an honour to attend a special Remembrance Day service at Smithfield in my electorate to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the signing of the armistice to end the war that was to end all wars. Sadly, it turned out not to be the case, and we continue to have our young men and women deployed across the world. The service was organised by the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Association of South Australia. It was a fitting service, with the Angle Vale and Edinburgh Park scout groups, students from Sacred Heart College and the Playford City Concert Band attending. I thank them all for their participation, and I thank RAEME chairman, Allan Weeks, for the invitation to attend.

I also attended the armistice dinner last Saturday night at the Salisbury RSL. I would like to thank President Don Prider for what turned out to be a very enjoyable night, chatting with many veterans about their experiences.