TAKE PERSONALITY OUT OF POLITICS

I THINK it’s pretty fair to say politicians aren’t the most revered members of society – sometimes for good reason.

I am noticing a consistent and unfortunate trend feeding into this public perception when it comes to our elected officials.

As politicians, it is our job to ask the important questions on behalf of our communities. When asking those genuine, informed questions, elected officials and the communities we represent expect considered and respectful answers.

Myself, and a number of community members, were surprised by the response from Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey in this week’s Bulletin article about the Coomera Connector’s costings.

In response to concerns I raised about finishing the entire Coomera Connector route from Coomera to

Loganholme, Bailey chose to label me a “rookie councillor”, amid a few lowbrow Star Wars puns.

Is this the type of response we should expect from a senior politician when concerns are raised about a multibillion-dollar, taxpayerfunded project?

The minister continued a pattern of choosing a childish and dismissive response over a genuine attempt to address the concerns: important issues that were raised around land resumption timings, construction timelines, and costings.

It’s no wonder the general public has become disillusioned with politicians when responses are centred around personal attacks rather than facts.

As someone with an understanding of the geotechnical and hydrology constraints in our city’s far north, my statements were informed by knowledge and experience.

And the city’s new Kerkin Road bridge in Pimpama is being built just a few hundred metres from the proposed route for the Coomera Connector, meaning there are a number of similarities in construction conditions for these major road projects.

Based on figures from Stage 1, the second stage of the Coomera Connector will cost in excess of $3.8bn to build. This cost doesn’t account for the fact that there are five river crossings in

Stage 2, when compared with two crossings in Stage 1.

There are also significant sections of Stage 2 that are heavily flood-affected and would require an elevated highway.

Local families and businesses need to know the answers to these questions so they can plan for their future.

While it may be true I’m a rookie politician, as a strongly committed first-term councillor I am simply asking genuine, technically informed questions of a senior minister, on behalf of my community.

Let’s take personality and cheap shots out of politics and focus on putting the people who elected us first.

Pleased indeed to hear that young innocent 20yo will survive the drive-by shooting in Surfers Paradise!!! WTF is happening? Knock, knock anyone home, Premier? Very clearly, youth crime is totally out of control! Do something!!!

OK Australia is a relatively young developed country some 250 years only. Other countries are much older: USA, England, European countries. Some have embraced so called “green power” and it has failed spectacularly. So why oh why don’t we learn from the past? Broadbeach Oldie

So the Australian Government plans to bring home those families “trapped” in Syria. And tell me where are they are going to live? Are they going to be set up in public housing? With all benefits? Here’s a thought, you politicians, look after Australian families first, or is that too hard to do? Cooly Kev.

The Gabba redevelopment for the

Olympics has to go ahead regardless of cost, for a number of reasons. Building elsewhere away from the city will end up being a white elephant, like QE2 at Nathan. It has to be modernised to meet the needs of the 21st century comforts available to last well into the second half of the century. With around $3 billion promised by the IOC, it should be cost neutral, if only half of that goes towards the Gabba rebuild, including removing the school next to it. Also another new modernised stadium makes it easier to host the mens Soccer World Cup in 2034 or definitely 2038 when it’s Asia’s turn again, after N.america 2026, Europe (Spain and Portugal) in2030, and possibly S.america or Africa in 2034. DS

Wet race for Bathurst this year. Go Mostert. Mousey

Ooroo! Way back in 70s an Aussie band (Skyhooks) had a No. 1 hit called Horror Movie (right there on my TV). So nothing new about horrors we see on ours these days. It’s all abut quality

of children’s upbringing! Bogans should not reproduce! Have great day!

Well said Roy Johnson. You could apply your highly accurate description of the Qld Government to all governments/ councils countrywide. They work for us, arrogant and entitled the lot of them. Gman

Putin on verge of self distraction! And the problem is? No he won’t be able to launch weapons without being clobbered 1st! Relax, you’ll live longer! Don’t panic! Take breath!

Why when we have a major sports event on the GC such as Wallabies or T20 International there is little or no promotion? Then we complain nobody turns up? Bad look for the City

Expecting a huge bogan infestation soon @ GC500 – Holden’s last appearance. And I personally hope the event doesn’t last. The quality of patrons attending, is well, bogans the

only way to describe them! It’s nothing like the Indy was. For those who don’t agree come and drive’m in my cab! I’ll need drivers for the weekend as we are off to see family interstate!

Angry oldie so true. Our government should simply adopt the budget method of most households. If there’s more money going out than in just cut back on useless waste. Stop spending on unnecessary renewables. Fix day to day issues, spread the money evenly and the economy will fix itself. Ron. S

I am sick of listening to do gooder social workers say the young criminals shouldn’t be incarcerated but educated not to commit violent crimes. These young criminals are stealing expensive cars, breaking into homes, assaulting people and ramraiding shops. They are regularly repeat offenders. They must be jailed. Do-gooder social workers need to experience these criminals or keep out of it. Mike