Untold books and movies have depicted the home town hero who has stood for elected office against all odds - and won a magnificent victory. In real life, the chances of that happening are becoming ever slimmer. In today's world of politics getting endorsed to represent a political party with a chance of winning the poll is very much a " numbers game " !
That is very much the subject of hype here in Wollongong at the present time. A state office holder is standing down and what is regarded as a " safe " Labor seat is up for grabs. The big question awaiting answer is whether the local branches will select the candidate who will run for office under Labor endorsement, or whether that will be decided far away at Labor head office.
There seems a chance that a labor luminary will be " parachuted " in to claim this prize. That has happened many times in the past. It is usually the outcome of a " factions " brawl in which the squaring up of the factions balance is necessary to achieve a voting balance.
Even if head office takes a neutral stance, the selection of a branch candidate can encounter heavy going. Those " factions " exist within the branches and it is not unusual for a spate of " branch stacking " to try and influence the outcome. Many branches disenfranchise the vote of new members to try and counter a suspicious rush to join once a poll is announced.
Sadly, the men and women who beaver away doing the mundane work that keep the branches alive are usually the last to get recognition and an opportunity to serve. Politics is the art of spruiking an appealing message at just the right time and there is always an opportunist waiting in the wings to grab public attention. If the timing is right this will garner support and quickly lead to an endorsement by the branches.
This contest for the Wollongong seat is fast developing into a tactical battle. It is likely the state government will not field a candidate, opening the way for an appealing independent to garner voter disenchantment. Several contenders have put up a hand for the job and back room deals are hoping to solidify the vote under a single candidate.
One of the issues that may be decisive in this poll is the decision by the state government to ban Greyhound racing in this state. Wollongong is one of the centres for this sport and the " Dapto Dogs " are a prime racing venue. The Labor opposition have come out in support of retaining dog racing and the public attitude seems evenly split.
Wollongong is a fast changing regional centre which is retreating from the days when it was just coal and steel. Coal mining is coming to an end and the future of the steel plant is far from certain. It is developing a manufacturing capacity around an innovative university and its eighty kilometre distance from Sydney means a fast commute for many. Its mild winter and plentiful beaches are an appealing alternative to westward expansion in Sydney.
The rail link between Wollongong and Sydney is in urgent need of high speed replacement and the F-6 multi lane expressway is missing the link from Heathcote to St Peters. Those are the issues that could well determine who becomes the new member for Wollongong.
No comments:
Post a Comment