local election - Fish's Picks
Sorry for not providing more info and sooner - has been a strange month. Rather than try to be objective, I've listed individuals within each party by my personal preference (although that's not necessarily how I'll be voting). Party order by amount of info I've been able to collect. Sitting Members are in Bold:
Labor: http://www.actlabor.org.au/people/2012-candidates
Mary Porter Nurse, midwife and sitting member, reputation as a hardworker, and according to my spies not a minister because she is willing to chew out the party bigwigs when they screw up. Notable that when campaigning, her table includes flyers on interesting things in Canberra - I grabbed a flyer on the bushwalks. Voting for Mary is a bad idea if you want to make the most of your vote, as she is sure to get in, so a fraction of your vote will then be distributed elsewhere, rather than the entire vote. On the flipside that makes voting for her a good choice for Labor supporters who don't want to spend much time working out who to vote for.
http://www.maryporter.net/
Jayson Hinder: Has numerous runs on the board doing community service, most notably as chairman of the Bendigo Bank, but also serving on sporting and disability groups. Professionally a lawyer, and Legal Advisor for Autism Asperger ACT.
http://www.facebook.com/jayson.hinder http://better4ginninderra.com/ https://api.twitter.com/Jaysem6
Glen McCrea: Enthusiastic idealist. Very big on disability support (has profoundly disabled brother) and child services. Lobbied for the walk-in nuse-led medical centre we are getting northside.
http://www.facebook.com/glen.mccrea https://api.twitter.com/GlenMcCrea
Chris Bourke Elected by count back after Stanhope retired. A dentist and nominally Aboriginal. Community service on dental and Aboriginal matters. Minister for Education and Training, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs,
Industrial Relations, Minister for Corrections for the last year: hasn't made an impression (either good or bad) in this time, probably because all the heavy lifting was done by Andrew Barr last year.
https://twitter.com/chrisbourke. http://www.chrisbourke.com.au/ http://www.facebook.com/ChrisBourkeMLA
Yvette Berry: Daughter of retired local politician Wayne Berry. Employment in hospitality and a couple of political junkets. Contributor and competitor in the RiotACT Lego challenge (http://tinyurl.com/99vmj2p) although her efforts were outshone by her toddlers. Spoke in favour of more/segregated dog parks.
https://api.twitter.com/YvetteSBerry http://www.yvetteberry.com.au/ http://www.facebook.com/YvetteSBerry
Liberal http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/Election-candidates/Election-candidates/Election-Candidates.asp
Jacob Vadakkedathu: Impressed me by remaining courteous and focused on issues while being abused by a truly obnoxious local. Very good at lobbying for community services in a way that will appeal to the economically minded - pointing out the advantages of re-opening the Ginninderra Falls, duplicating the road connections between Belconnen and Ginninderra, the importance of parking for shopping centres. Community service, especially with cultural groups and the SES.
http://www.jacobv.com.au/ https://api.twitter.com/jvadakkedathu www.facebook.com/jacob.vadakkedathu
Matt Watts: Something of a geek, has spruiked Dea's Comic Shop during his campaign. Described himself on RiotACT: http://tinyurl.com/8c2a7b3 Interestingly, a member of Electronic Frontiers Australia - an organisation dedicated to fighting internet censorship in OZ. Community service in several other orgs, including Friends of the (National War) Museum. Contributor and competitor in the RiotACT Lego challenge: http://tinyurl.com/8r6fm25 emphasis on having/using green space (frex playing cricket in Holt), looking after small businesses in the suburbs, parking in the town centres.
www.facebook.com/matthew.watts.121
Merinda Nash: ex-copper and florist. The paragraph on the ACT Liberal site is the only evidence I've found that she exists, I couldn't even work out which florist she runs.
Alistair Coe and Vicki Dunne Our sitting Liberal members who sent out a leaflet on misuse of Government money...and broke the entitlement rules to do it. Dunne is an ex-political staffer, afaik Coe entered politics direct from university.
dunne@parliament.act.gov.au http://www.facebook.com/vicki.dunne.9
coe@parliament.act.gov.au http://www.facebook.com/alistaircoe https://api.twitter.com/alistair_coe
Independent
Norm Gingell - regards current consultation as a farce and that ordinary Canberrans have been excluded from politics. Worked in the public service in policy evaluation and development, now a retired grandparent. Detailed website:
http://ngingell.wordpress.com/
Greens http://act.greens.org.au/content/act-greens-team-2012-election
Meredith Hunter
Youth worker and community advocate who is currently convener of the ACT Greens. Big on community issues, disabilities, domestic violence a personal bugbear. Heavily involved in negotiating this year's budget. Boast is the "100 things done": http://act.greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/100%20things.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_Hunter_%28politician%29
However, she wants more MLAs in Canberra.
http://www.facebook.com/MeredithHunterMLA https://api.twitter.com/MeredithMLA
James Higgins: Took part in the RiotACT challenge, getting bonus points for a policy relevant use of a dinosaur: http://tinyurl.com/9f2ys6o Emphasis on green space and renewables (as one would expect) and support for light rail.
https://api.twitter.com/canberrajames http://www.facebook.com/canberrajames
Hannah Parris: ANU PhD student(Public Policy, took Economics and Geography for her BA) who is trying to build an eco-fashion label.
http://www.facebook.com/hannah.parris.33
Australian Motorist Party http://amp.org.au/ - while primarily representing petrolheads, trying to broaden support with law and order issues etc. Obviously very loud about parking at hospitals etc.
Chic Henry: "The face of Summernats" Ex-military and blacksmith. Was founding director of the Street Machine festivals in the mid 80s and founder of the Summernats in 1988 (started as a centenary event). Has lots of ideas for encouraging tourism.
http://www.facebook.com/chic.henry.1
Darryl Walford: This poor bastard isn't even included in his own party's website! No online presence of note.
http://www.facebook.com/darryl.walford
Pirate Party http://actpirates.org.au/index.php/candidates/
(note, listed as ungrouped, as 6 of their hundred signatories were not registered voters)
Glen Takkenberg: IT professional and beekeeper who has taken part in the RiotACT Lego challenge: http://tinyurl.com/8wl4khf Technology hub and motorcycle parking on the footpath notable, as is the plan to get CSIRO to genetically engineer a dragon. Speed cameras were removed on the ground that they are surveillance.
Bullet Train for Canberra http://www.facebook.com/BulletTrainforCanberra
Campaign Launch was Sunday at 3PM at Braddon Bowls Club - 21 Elder Street Braddon.
www.BulletTrainforCanberra.com
A driving force behind the party is the firm 2B Advertising: the owner of the firm, Tim Bohm, is the president of the party, the primary candidate in Ginninderra, Chris Bucknell, also works there. They're basically fed up with report after report recommending the high speed rail link and governments dragging their feet due to the cost.
Interestingly, Canberra Airport has come out in favour of the train, as that will allow them to act as a secondary airport for Sydney.
Democrats
(Listed as an independent)
Darren Churchill: A secondary teacher who has represented the Democrats in several previous elections and Senior Deputy National President of the party. Interviewed here: (http://tinyurl.com/9bkfba9). Also: http://www.facebook.com/dmchurchill
Platform here:
http://darrenchurchill.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/my-election-platform-darren-churchill/
Liberal Democrat Party
Again, no online presence - the best I have found is this blog discussing polices:
http://donallan.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/act-opinions-23/ Apparently small government, less government intervention.
Matt Thompson is a vet and party leader.
Mustafa Jawadi appears to be a refugee from Afghanistan and apprentice mechanic (http://tinyurl.com/94exdev) Further has been interviewed NLA Oral history project; among other things talks about how Marion Le helped his family while on Nauru: http://nla.gov.au/nla.oh-vn4224256
Marion Le Social Justice Party http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marion-Le-Social-Justice-Party/144407749033342
Marion Le: Refugee advocate and lawyer, she's decided to start her own party as the Greens are working to closely with Labor for her liking. No party or personal website given; the candidate names are similar but not the same to those who 'like' posts on the facebook page.
Independent
Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart: Got this phamplet at the BCC meet the candidates night:
Labor: http://www.actlabor.org.au/people/2012-candidates
Mary Porter Nurse, midwife and sitting member, reputation as a hardworker, and according to my spies not a minister because she is willing to chew out the party bigwigs when they screw up. Notable that when campaigning, her table includes flyers on interesting things in Canberra - I grabbed a flyer on the bushwalks. Voting for Mary is a bad idea if you want to make the most of your vote, as she is sure to get in, so a fraction of your vote will then be distributed elsewhere, rather than the entire vote. On the flipside that makes voting for her a good choice for Labor supporters who don't want to spend much time working out who to vote for.
http://www.maryporter.net/
Jayson Hinder: Has numerous runs on the board doing community service, most notably as chairman of the Bendigo Bank, but also serving on sporting and disability groups. Professionally a lawyer, and Legal Advisor for Autism Asperger ACT.
http://www.facebook.com/jayson.hinder http://better4ginninderra.com/ https://api.twitter.com/Jaysem6
Glen McCrea: Enthusiastic idealist. Very big on disability support (has profoundly disabled brother) and child services. Lobbied for the walk-in nuse-led medical centre we are getting northside.
http://www.facebook.com/glen.mccrea https://api.twitter.com/GlenMcCrea
Chris Bourke Elected by count back after Stanhope retired. A dentist and nominally Aboriginal. Community service on dental and Aboriginal matters. Minister for Education and Training, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs,
Industrial Relations, Minister for Corrections for the last year: hasn't made an impression (either good or bad) in this time, probably because all the heavy lifting was done by Andrew Barr last year.
https://twitter.com/chrisbourke. http://www.chrisbourke.com.au/ http://www.facebook.com/ChrisBourkeMLA
Yvette Berry: Daughter of retired local politician Wayne Berry. Employment in hospitality and a couple of political junkets. Contributor and competitor in the RiotACT Lego challenge (http://tinyurl.com/99vmj2p) although her efforts were outshone by her toddlers. Spoke in favour of more/segregated dog parks.
https://api.twitter.com/YvetteSBerry http://www.yvetteberry.com.au/ http://www.facebook.com/YvetteSBerry
Liberal http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/Election-candidates/Election-candidates/Election-Candidates.asp
Jacob Vadakkedathu: Impressed me by remaining courteous and focused on issues while being abused by a truly obnoxious local. Very good at lobbying for community services in a way that will appeal to the economically minded - pointing out the advantages of re-opening the Ginninderra Falls, duplicating the road connections between Belconnen and Ginninderra, the importance of parking for shopping centres. Community service, especially with cultural groups and the SES.
http://www.jacobv.com.au/ https://api.twitter.com/jvadakkedathu www.facebook.com/jacob.vadakkedathu
Matt Watts: Something of a geek, has spruiked Dea's Comic Shop during his campaign. Described himself on RiotACT: http://tinyurl.com/8c2a7b3 Interestingly, a member of Electronic Frontiers Australia - an organisation dedicated to fighting internet censorship in OZ. Community service in several other orgs, including Friends of the (National War) Museum. Contributor and competitor in the RiotACT Lego challenge: http://tinyurl.com/8r6fm25 emphasis on having/using green space (frex playing cricket in Holt), looking after small businesses in the suburbs, parking in the town centres.
www.facebook.com/matthew.watts.121
Merinda Nash: ex-copper and florist. The paragraph on the ACT Liberal site is the only evidence I've found that she exists, I couldn't even work out which florist she runs.
Alistair Coe and Vicki Dunne Our sitting Liberal members who sent out a leaflet on misuse of Government money...and broke the entitlement rules to do it. Dunne is an ex-political staffer, afaik Coe entered politics direct from university.
dunne@parliament.act.gov.au http://www.facebook.com/vicki.dunne.9
coe@parliament.act.gov.au http://www.facebook.com/alistaircoe https://api.twitter.com/alistair_coe
Independent
Norm Gingell - regards current consultation as a farce and that ordinary Canberrans have been excluded from politics. Worked in the public service in policy evaluation and development, now a retired grandparent. Detailed website:
http://ngingell.wordpress.com/
Greens http://act.greens.org.au/content/act-greens-team-2012-election
Meredith Hunter
Youth worker and community advocate who is currently convener of the ACT Greens. Big on community issues, disabilities, domestic violence a personal bugbear. Heavily involved in negotiating this year's budget. Boast is the "100 things done": http://act.greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/100%20things.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_Hunter_%28politician%29
However, she wants more MLAs in Canberra.
http://www.facebook.com/MeredithHunterMLA https://api.twitter.com/MeredithMLA
James Higgins: Took part in the RiotACT challenge, getting bonus points for a policy relevant use of a dinosaur: http://tinyurl.com/9f2ys6o Emphasis on green space and renewables (as one would expect) and support for light rail.
https://api.twitter.com/canberrajames http://www.facebook.com/canberrajames
Hannah Parris: ANU PhD student(Public Policy, took Economics and Geography for her BA) who is trying to build an eco-fashion label.
http://www.facebook.com/hannah.parris.33
Australian Motorist Party http://amp.org.au/ - while primarily representing petrolheads, trying to broaden support with law and order issues etc. Obviously very loud about parking at hospitals etc.
Chic Henry: "The face of Summernats" Ex-military and blacksmith. Was founding director of the Street Machine festivals in the mid 80s and founder of the Summernats in 1988 (started as a centenary event). Has lots of ideas for encouraging tourism.
http://www.facebook.com/chic.henry.1
Darryl Walford: This poor bastard isn't even included in his own party's website! No online presence of note.
http://www.facebook.com/darryl.walford
Pirate Party http://actpirates.org.au/index.php/candidates/
(note, listed as ungrouped, as 6 of their hundred signatories were not registered voters)
Glen Takkenberg: IT professional and beekeeper who has taken part in the RiotACT Lego challenge: http://tinyurl.com/8wl4khf Technology hub and motorcycle parking on the footpath notable, as is the plan to get CSIRO to genetically engineer a dragon. Speed cameras were removed on the ground that they are surveillance.
Bullet Train for Canberra http://www.facebook.com/BulletTrainforCanberra
Campaign Launch was Sunday at 3PM at Braddon Bowls Club - 21 Elder Street Braddon.
www.BulletTrainforCanberra.com
A driving force behind the party is the firm 2B Advertising: the owner of the firm, Tim Bohm, is the president of the party, the primary candidate in Ginninderra, Chris Bucknell, also works there. They're basically fed up with report after report recommending the high speed rail link and governments dragging their feet due to the cost.
Interestingly, Canberra Airport has come out in favour of the train, as that will allow them to act as a secondary airport for Sydney.
Democrats
(Listed as an independent)
Darren Churchill: A secondary teacher who has represented the Democrats in several previous elections and Senior Deputy National President of the party. Interviewed here: (http://tinyurl.com/9bkfba9). Also: http://www.facebook.com/dmchurchill
Platform here:
http://darrenchurchill.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/my-election-platform-darren-churchill/
Liberal Democrat Party
Again, no online presence - the best I have found is this blog discussing polices:
http://donallan.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/act-opinions-23/ Apparently small government, less government intervention.
Matt Thompson is a vet and party leader.
Mustafa Jawadi appears to be a refugee from Afghanistan and apprentice mechanic (http://tinyurl.com/94exdev) Further has been interviewed NLA Oral history project; among other things talks about how Marion Le helped his family while on Nauru: http://nla.gov.au/nla.oh-vn4224256
Marion Le Social Justice Party http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marion-Le-Social-Justice-Party/144407749033342
Marion Le: Refugee advocate and lawyer, she's decided to start her own party as the Greens are working to closely with Labor for her liking. No party or personal website given; the candidate names are similar but not the same to those who 'like' posts on the facebook page.
Independent
Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart: Got this phamplet at the BCC meet the candidates night: