People in the country need to make the decision for people in the country
Dear Editor
Thank you for allowing me space to raise the awareness of a concept that is gaining traction, and it could potentially affect our area in a very positive way.
This concept is not only gaining interest here, but also in other areas of our country. That is the separation from NSW, and in becoming our own Riverina State. New England currently has a New State Movement, and there is also another area in northern Queensland with a similar concept.
The first point we all need to realise is that Australian Constitution provides for this in SECTION 124 - Formation of new States. The second point is that it can be done with popular support, and thirdly, politics is all about numbers. Whilst we may have the most dedicated, loudest, and proudest political representative standing up for us, their one vote will never be enough. With the largest number of electorates and politicians being East of the Great divide, and more specifically, concentrated around Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong with 71 (no surprise there) of the states 93 electorates.
The next 20 electorates are around the Central West Slopes and Plains and therefore, at the very least we only have two fair dinkum rural representatives with our best interests at heart (and at the very best 22 voices). These two politicians can be loud and proud, they can be dogmatic, they can be determined and passionate to the end, but they are just never going to be able to have the voice that we, in the bush need. Even with some of the neighbouring 20 electorates coming onboard with an issue, the Greens votes and many major party sympathizers in the metropolitan areas are just too great.
Many a backyard barbecue discussion has arisen about the latest costly, unreasonable, impractical, or even irresponsible decisions made on our behalf by “those in their concrete city towers.” I believe many of us feel the same. The fact that water was separated from the land and now can be owned by overseas interests, the fact that we sell our water through to South Australia while our farmers have a bare minimum allocation, the huge $$$ spent to purchase the land for parks and wildlife, the Murray Darling Basin plan … The list is extensive of how the importance of farming and our rural culture, is being neglected through no fault of our elected representatives.
The flow-on effect for those in our towns is just as important, as for those on the land.
Now how do we make a difference? If, and I know it is a big IF, but with numbers we can change this situation so that our rural issues are decided by rural people. If we have as few as 800 NSW members and 500 northern Victorian members, we can initiate the change.
If I have tweaked your interest, there is an information evening being held at Hay Library RSL room tomorrow - Thursday November 24 at 5.30pm to hear David Landini speak on this concept and answer any of your questions.
A light supper will be provided. Our towns deserve to grow.
More info can be found at the website: theriverinastate.com.au
A concerned country resident,
Judy Jarratt
