With February now upon us, the 2019 NSW state election is only about eight weeks away, and the campaigning is starting in earnest.
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It was timely then that former Liberal leader John Hewson on the weekend questioned the relevance of the big party machines and the “whatever it takes” approach to winning elections.
Mr Hewson was writing about federal politics, but with the state election now so close, his comments are just as pertinent for NSW.
There seems to be a growing distrust of the major political parties among voters, an Orange is not immune to the trend.
The government sent dozens of its heavy-hitters to the area ahead of 2016’s byelection, with ministers and party leaders making their way to the electorate on an almost daily basis in the run-in to the polls.
It’s probably fair to say that voters now anticipate governments will break many of the promises made in the heat of an election campaign, so those commitments for millions in spending seem ever more like attempted bribes.
In response, Orange’s voters turned their back on not only the Coalition, but the major parties in general, and elected an relative unknown from a minority party.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Phil Donato prevailed by a slender margin, taking victory in what many saw as an electoral reaction to the then-government’s policies of banning greyhound racing and forced council mergers.
More than two years on, there is no one reason why the major parties are on the nose with voters, but it’s not hard to see some of the most obvious.
It’s probably fair to say that voters now anticipate governments will break many of the promises made in the heat of an election campaign, so those commitments for millions in spending seem ever more like attempted bribes.
(Regardless of whether they are genuine or not, as a seat held by a minority-party member, we should expect more than our fair share of ministers and their chequebooks to be seen in these parts between now and election day.)
It also feels like the gulf between the political class and the everyday voter has never been wider. Well-paid politicians and their equally high-earning staff may have time to ponder pet projects, but in the life of most voters, what’s most important is pretty simple and it’s mostly about just paying the bills and trying to fit in a bit of a life around work and family commitments.
That being so, all candidates really need to know is that voters want to have a say, not be treated like fools.
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