Macfarlane backflip potential ...
... risking 32,330 votes and re-election hopes.
Lots of rumours swirling around Toowoomba about Minister Macfarlane and what he might say or do about Toowoomba's water source issues.
Some of it no doubt being pushed by the outgoing Mayor's PR spin team.
Their basic problem is that the failed recycled water project still won't work. Trying to coerce the Minister into statements of support and funding might work if there was a viable, costed project. But the Toowoomba City Council doesn't have one ...
Excerpt from ABC News (annotated):
Toowoomba revisiting water recycling
24 August 2007
A water recycling plant is back on the agenda for Toowoomba on southern Queensland's Darling Downs.
The federal Member for Groom and federal Industry, Tourism and Resources Minister, Ian Macfarlane, will meet with mayor Dianne Thorley this afternoon to discuss the possibility of a plant for the city.
Mr Macfarlane says an advanced treatment plant and a new dam are essential elements in the solution to Toowoomba's water crisis.
He says community attitudes on recycled water have changed since the proposal was put to a referendum last year.
[Really - perhaps this year's Federal election will be a referendum of recycled water as well.]
"The opportunity that was lost in the previous debate was that the community weren't involved in the discussions, didn't have an understanding of what was being proposed and therefore rejected it," he said.
[What gives anyone the idea that anyone in the Toowoomba City Council would consider community consultation this time around?]
"I think that the lesson to be learned out of that is that solving the water problems for a community involves the whole community, in fact, involves the whole region."
[The failed recycled water plant is not a regional solution - it doesn't deal with downstream irrigators and wouldn't provide sufficient recycled water for Toowoomba - it is a white elephant.]
See - Macfarlane backflip would risk seat.
If you wish to send an email to Minister Macfarlane and give him your views, email here - Ian.Macfarlane.MP@aph.gov.au.
You can also email this article to him by clicking on the email post button below.
Let him know your views ...
posted by Concerned Ratepayer at 2:23 PM
10 Comments:
Macfarlane needs to make his position clear.
4:50 PM, August 24, 2007
Shortly after it was posted, the Parliamentary Library in Canberra clicks on the Macfarlane blog article.
Politicians monitor and respond to public pressure.
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Entry Page Macfarlane-backflip potential
Out Click Macfarlane backflip would risk seat
5:39 PM, August 24, 2007
Macfarlane is having an each way bet before the next election.
7:15 PM, August 24, 2007
This is an example of a politician so out of touch with his electorate that he does not even know that they are the most educated people about recycled sewage water in Australia!!
They had $460,000 spent in the lead up to the Poll and they said NO!!
With this stand he will get a lot of his voters looking at any one who will oppose this stand. I have spoken to a lot of friends to-night and they like me have been long term Liberal Party voters and we will not be giving Macfarlane the tick when it comes to the seat of Groom at the next election.
He has let us down.
10:24 PM, August 24, 2007
I cannot believe that Ian MacFarlane made those comments in the Chronicle Press release. He must be living in dreamland. He could not possibly know that the Toowoomba electorate is changing its mind about recycled sewerage water for drinking. Surely he doesn't believe Mayor Thorley and her bunch. No means no! Get with it Mr. Mac Farlane. I will not vote for you if you persist with this vague way of doing things.
6:27 AM, August 25, 2007
I rang MacFarlane's office, and was told somebody would ring me back, and nobody has. I thought the person I spoke to was not at all concerned about my concerns of recycled water being added to our drinking supply. As far as am I am concerned he doesn't have my vote at the next election.
Lets bring in a good independent who will listen to the voters.
Time for change.
8:04 AM, August 25, 2007
Plenty of letters being sent to Macfarlane - he'll know what people are thinking.
3:08 PM, August 25, 2007
I believe Macfarlane has made his position very clear. He would build a recycled sewage water plant in a heart beat if the Federal election was not just around the corner. We the general public are being treated as stupid and they are rich enough to buy all the bottles water they want.
The joke is on his kind as they would socialize more than most of us and they would use the recycled stuff in all the restruants. Remember this would be just like the water out dear Anna Bligh could not bring herself to drink!!
10:38 PM, August 25, 2007
Macfarlane has been spending too much time in Canberra if he doesn't know the mood of the people in Toowoomba.
2:09 PM, August 26, 2007
Macfarlane should heed qu 9 and 10 of the new citizenship test.
9. How are Members of Parliament chosen? (by election)
10. Who do Members of Parliament represent? (the people of their electorate)
6:52 PM, August 27, 2007
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