QUEENSLAND CAN’T AFFORD A FRASER ANNING AT A LOCAL LEVEL
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Annastacia Palaszczuk is full of double standards.
She condemns Senator Fraser Anning for attending a racist rally, whilst at the same time her Government wants to implement a Senate voting system (like the one that elected Mr Anning with 19 first preference votes) for Queensland Local Government at their next election due in 2020.
The Premier's own Labor policy platform touts a Senate voting system for Queensland Local Governments.
Does the Premier really believe that Queensland Local Governments will have better governance with her Labor Policy of proportional voting or will we just get more people like Senator Anning being elected at the Local Government level.
The Premier's condemnation is not an endorsement of the Senate voting system for Queensland Local Government and she should rule out any changes to the electoral system for Local Governments.
- Ann Leahy MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government
DO IT ALL AT ONCE
On internet I found interesting proposals by NT government on following links, railway line from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek and also to railway line between Katherine and Kununurra.
Instead of having piecemeal proposals of building infrastructure, do it all at once. Build those mentioned above, but extend railway line all the way to Broome, via halls creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Derby. Also build 80 km north to Wyndham and renovate an old port which existed there. Which could serve as alternative port to Darwin, Broome and Townsville en route.
There was strong opposition against railway line to be build to Darwin. But former SA premier John Olsen didn't give- up until the railway become reality. (There should be build a big statue to John Olsen in Darwin railway station.) On the above line from Port Augusta to Darwin, there is no more towns then on proposed railway link from Townsville to Broome.
Sealing of Stuart Hwy and then railway to Darwin help population grow in Darwin. So that would happen to Townsville and other towns en route. Genesee & Wyoming can do above project, as they build railway to Darwin.
If there was no railway to Darwin nobody could propose railway connection from Mount Isa to Tenant Creek. This railway line from Townsville to Broome will lay down physical foundation for Northern Australia.
Perhaps after that WA government come to senses and will build the railway line connecting Perth with Broome, via Geraldton, Carnarvon, Karratha and Port Hedland. As QLD government done long time ago connecting Brisbane with Cairns.
There are similar patterns in railway history of Australia. NSW government was reluctant build railway line to Broken Hill, because it was to much for them 1200 km distance.
When SA government build railway line from Broken Hill to Port Pirie and thus connecting B.H. to Adelaide, NSW government quickly build the railway because was worried that B.H. will join SA. But that had continuation into 20th century.
Until 1970 Perth and WA weren't connected with eastern seaboard. That connecting rail was build only in 1970. But also they used existing railway lines via Broken Hill, build in 19th century by SA and NSW governments.
Former PM Paul Keating didn't want to build railway line to Darwin, instead he build standard gauge from Adelaide to Melbourne. As the result now is Perth connected with all eastern seaboard state capital cities: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Those who watch on Foxtel TV, about Australian Railways, could see how long cargo trains leave very often Melbourne for Perth. That wouldn't be possible before Paul Keating decision.
- Jan Vrtielka