DEAR News Of The Area,
WHILE we may congratulate Pat [Conaghan] and his Nationals team on their election win, and thank the other candidates – especially Independent Caz Heise and her hard working team, for putting their hands up and at least giving us a choice – it might be worth reflecting on how our voting behaviour in Cowper compared to the rest of the nation.
While political commentary on the results varies, it’s pretty obvious that unlike the majority of voters in Cowper, the nation’s citizens overwhelmingly voted to ensure an increasingly dysfunctional looking Coalition government did not eventuate.
You could argue that many also voted to make sure the rise and power of the cross bench, particularly the Greens and Teals, was kept in check.
Alternatively, you could argue that in our haste to achieve the former, we have inadvertently achieved the latter; something we may come to regret.
Cowper does not host ‘Big Mining’, ‘Big Ag’ or a significant manufacturing base, with our official description as a ‘retirement and tourism destination’.
Given that Port is world famous for its Koala Hospital and the Coffs LGA is the owner of the prestigious ‘Eco tourism’ moniker, you could be excused for thinking our voting preferences might at least acknowledge the years of tireless work done by the Greens, both Federally and locally, in highlighting environmental issues and helping to protect our rich biodiversity.
Yet in Cowper we ranked the Greens behind One Nation and Legalising Cannabis.
As history has shown, election results can be highly contradictory.
In that regard nothing has changed.
Regards,
Dave WOOD,
Boambee East.
