I'm pleased to see the Western Queensland Assembly of Councils have thrown down the gauntlet to candidates to support their demands. Councils and mayors are usually in the best position to know exactly what their community needs as the level of government closest to the people.
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Yet their needs and priorities are almost completely lost in the presidential style of Australian federal elections.
Yes to some degree the May 21 election is a contest between the leaders Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese but given the way both major parties have tried to copy each other's policies it is hardly much of a contest of ideas or of policy and more about personalities.
If the junk mail in my postbox and the TV ads I've seen are anything to go by it is an incredibly negative campaign, each side warning to be to fearful of the other.
It's certainly a refreshing change to hear from local mayors who have come up with five concrete policy proposals.
The Western Queensland Assembly of Councils (which represents 22 councils including all eight in the North West) wants to see a productivity partnership with government, support for regional housing solutions, reducing unnecessary regulation to care for the environment and provide safe and secure water supplies, investment in regional roads and rail, and are backing a digital connectivity blueprint.
They will publish the list of answers on its Invest in West Qld website, so voters can be aware of where each party stands on the issues it deems important. NW Qld Region of Councils chair Jack Bawden said their message to candidates is clear.
"We stand ready, willing and able to work with governments, industry and community so that we are better able to deliver more if you Invest in the West," he said.
Sadly I won't be around for much of this campaign. My father has been unwell in Ireland for some time and ages ago I booked a trip for May back to Ireland at a timing I knew would suit him. It was only afterwards I realised it was likely to coincide with the federal election.
It will mean I will miss the last three weeks of the campaign. Rest assured the North West Star will continue to report in detail on the election in my absence.
Derek Barry