2014 Victorian Election
What an interesting outcome. Victoria has voted the one-term government of the Liberal Party out and elected the Labor Party. As a voter, this was probably the most difficult election I have voted on, in almost 40 years. I am anti the hard-nose attitude of Trade Unions. They fucked up the previous state and federal Labor Governments. I am for free University education. I believe good education is fundamental to long term prosperity. I am for a non-discriminatory, free, public health system. A fee - of any value - undermines the principle of free access and opens the door for increased contributions over time. It also needs happy nurses and adequately supported Ambulance Officers. I am for a practical mixture of public and automotive transport. We need a link between the Eastern Freeway and Citylink. We need smarter train routes. We need integrated freight and commercial transport. But we also need appropriate funding models to sustain education, health and transport. And we need a holistic planning model for a long term objective in transport. We used to have the MMBW - Google them and Google the Melbourne plan of the 1920's while you're at it. Planning is out the window. I voted Labor. The first time in ten state elections. For three core reasons: 1. I do not accept the current design of the East West Link. For all that money, it is no more than a shortcut between two points. 2. There are hundreds of dead transport problems that will have a greater benefit for transport users across Melbourne. 3. In my seat of Richmond, I refuse to allow my local hard-working, Labor member to be upsurped by an arrogant, narrow-focused Greens' delegate. In the end, we all know there are key areas of focus that must be attended to by either party in Government. On this occasion I found myself objecting intensely to significant differences and it routed my thinking to the Labor Party. I don't trust them, but someone has to be in the driver's seat. Move over Dennis, let Daniel give it a go.