Intimidation tactics !

Australia has always been seen as a safe place to be a holder of public office.  Many people disagree with the stance that some of our politicians take, but apart from making angry phone calls or writing a rude letter to the local newspaper - violence has not been an option.

In many ways, local government decisions seem more personal.   The issues that go before council to be decided affect where we live and the facilities our families enjoy.  Sometimes these " bread and butter " issues create more heat than the more abstract and arcane deliberations of state and Federal parliament.

It is an ominous sign of change creeping into the affairs of local government when a Wollongong city councillor has to ask council to deploy a security guard to protect his home against attempts of intimidation.

Greg Petty was recently elected to council as an independent and as such some of his voting decisions have been pivotal when issues have divided along political lines.   It seems that someone is showing displeasure by attempting to intimidate.   A trailer load of asbestos was recently dumped in his drive and a car belonging to a member of his family was vandalised at his home.

Clearly, someone is intent on " delivering a message " and the implication is that worse could possibly follow if this councillor continues to offend the person responsible.   No doubt the police will investigate.  Hopefully, the matter will end with the perpetrator being hauled before a court, but it is alarming that a threat of violence has entered the area of council decision making for the first time.

There are countries in this world where people serve in public office at their peril.   Assassination is an ever present threat and office holders at all levels of government live in fortified houses, surrounded by armed guards.   We hope that this never becomes the norm here.

It is important that this intimidation threat be taken seriously, and properly investigated.  It is a new tactic that could quickly take hold if it is not nipped in the bud promptly - and it certainly will cause future candidates for public office to think long and hard - before subjecting their families to possible harm !