A PHONEY election is in full swing as Liberal and Labor parties alike pull out all stops to lure votes in the marginal seats of Geelong and Bellarine a good seven months ahead of this year’s State election.
A hefty media marketing campaign is under way that’s been coupled by a string of announcements and election promises ranging from wifi on VLocity trains to health centre cash and money for business start-ups or expansion.
Ministerial appearances across the region have become a regular occurrence. Prime ministers, premiers, opposition leaders, MPs … all have been focussed on the region, seeking out photo opportunities, as manufacturing shutdowns pose either problems or opportunities for their political agendas.
Notably missing from the marketing equation, however, have been issues that might actually resound with the punters. Issues such as:
_ The controversial sale of Portarlington’s Ann Nichol House which saw hundreds rally in protest.
_ Transition cash/programs for manufacturing workers losing their jobs, the thrust of a union rally through the centre of Geelong – as opposed to new jobs for new workers.
_ The re-routing of heavy trucks from the CBD into residential areas, an issue which has locals hopping mad.
_ The four-storey high-rise rezoning dumped on Geelong by Spring Street that has ratepayers across Geelong West, Belmont and Newtown furious.
_ The closure/sale of Alcoa’s Anglesea power plant and attendant job loss/environmental concerns.
_ Netting in Corio Bay and Port Phillip Bay, which continues to draw hundreds to protest meetings.
The state election is scheduled for November 29 and the marginal seats of Geelong and Bellarine could well hold the fate of the government, given its current hung status.
Parties on both side of the political divide need to engage in a little more grassroots politicking if they want to win over voters in Geelong and on the peninsula.
They might entertain the idea of knocking on a few doors and discovering what voters want; it could make all the difference to their prospects.
_ NOEL MURPHY
