OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
HUNG PARLIAMENT LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear editor,
Having worked on local issues for the past decade, I am hoping most people would have an opinion by now on the successes we have experienced in recent times by comparison to other electorates throughout NSW. I write, however, to outline a broader perspective on a broader issue - that being the issue of a "hung parliament".
I have had several people ask me the question of which side would I support if such a scenario occurred this weekend.
My response is that if neither the Government nor the Opposition wins a majority of seats this weekend, it will because they have failed to convince the electorate that they are fit to govern in their own right.
If this occurs, I assure the community I would act responsibly and with integrity in making decisions about the Government of NSW for the next four years.
Australia's history shows that minority governments are in fact stable and can govern effectively. For example, Australia was governed by a minority government between 1941 and 1943 - during the darkest days of World War II. Since 1998, the three states of Queensland, Victoria and South Australia have had minority governments with independents holding the balance of power - with each state enjoying stable, effective government and the government being re-elected with a substantial majority.
During the last period of minority government in NSW, between 1991 and 1995, NSW retained its triple AAA rating, more Bills introduced into parliament became law than during the previous majority government, much of this legislation was improved due to the need for Government to consult, and the Independent MP's achieved considerable, long-lasting reform in the areas of parliamentary transparency and accountability, including the fixed four-year term that sees us all going to the polls this weekend.
To assure our local community, if I am required to determine the future government of NSW, I will be guided by the need for stability and certainty, and the need for government to be open, transparent, accountable, and fair.
Whilst my primary focus is outcomes on local issues for the local community, I am also concerned about performance and policies for NSW - not personalities, nor political parties. I would encourage readers of your newspaper to support such an approach for NSW this weekend.
Yours Sincerely
RO
19 March 2007