Knowing our candidates
EVERY election there are political choices to make based on all sorts of reasons.
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Policies, promises, the building of this and the funding for that are only a few, many ideas presented for our consideration.
During an election campaign, the practical possibilities of getting to know a candidate is simply too difficult for the vast majority of us. As chairman of the Clunes Farmers Market, to have Sarah De Santis eagerly accept invitations to attend our market throughout 2018 has made it possible. To put politics aside and get to know Sarah has been a privilege.
With the State Election due, the pleasing realisation is this – that if the people of Ripon choose to elect Sarah as their next member of State Parliament they will have elected someone who has a genuine respect for everyone, polite, sincere, and in many ways, simply down to earth.
Sarah would be genuine in her commitment, approach, and dedication to representing the whole electorate. She would carry out the role as Member for Ripon with honour.
There are many reasons why we all make our own political choice.
Genuine is a good reason.
Christopher Culvenor, Clunes
Call for climate fund
THE Ararat Rural City Council will undertake an energy efficiency audit to find emissions savings thanks to a grant from the state government.
The project highlights the critically important role of state government investment in tackling climate change.
Imagine what could be accomplished with a dedicated climate fund.
There’s no shortage of bright ideas when it comes to cutting emissions and preparing for climate impacts. There is a shortage of funding available to support them. And it’s why a Victorian Climate Change Action Fund is sorely needed.
In 2017, the Daniel Andrews Labor government established a $4.3 million Victorian Climate Change Innovation Partnerships (VCCIP) grant scheme to fill this gap, yet demand dramatically outstripped what was available. Just 24 of 240 projects received support.
Community members concerned about climate impacts would welcome a commitment from Ripon candidates to a Victorian Climate Change Action Fund.
This scheme has the potential to provide the capital and framework for strategic investment in innovative climate projects across the region, preparing it for the challenges that lay ahead.
Which candidates will show leadership on climate change by stating support for more investment in solutions?
Leigh Ewbank, Act on Climate co-ordinator, Friends of the Earth
Ministers visible to voters
LABOR State Ministers are very visible in the Western Victorian towns of Ripon.
In Canberra the Liberals are fighting like kids in a playground.
The once great party of Menzies and even Costello or Howard is now a collection of warring factions. It looks like the new Prime Minister may avoid going to the people until next year.
If you do not live in the capital of NSW you have no chance of leading the federal Liberals. At a state level we can send a message to Canberra by putting the Liberals last in November this year.
The Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy, comes from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs; Scott Morrison has a love of the Cronulla sharks.
It takes more than seeing one AFL final to understand the culture of Victorians.
The Liberal Party is Sydney centric and has little empathy with the people of small Victorian country towns.
Ripon is the most marginal of the Liberal Party held electorates and Labor has chosen a strong local candidate from Beaufort, Sarah de Santis, who will deliver for the voters of Ripon.
Bob Scates, Murtoa
Impacts of gambling
THAT pang of guilt you feel when running late for a child’s school concert. The dread of having to explain to a partner that there’s not enough money for treats this week, like dinner out or a movie. Or that sick feeling in your stomach when a piece of work doesn’t live up to a manager’s expectations.
These examples may signify gambling-related harm, the effects of which could be considered ‘minor’ if experienced in isolation or as a one-off, but can escalate.
Victoria’s inaugural Gambling Harm Awareness Week ran from October 8 to 14.
Family and relationship problems, emotional and psychological issues, financial losses, and work- or study-related difficulties are harms commonly experienced by individuals who gamble in a risky way, but also affect others, including family members, friends and workmates.
Community discussions are a vital first step in reducing or even preventing gambling harm because talking openly about harm, in general, makes it easier for people who have been affected to share their personal experiences and okay for those currently affected to reach out.
About one in five Victorians experiences gambling harm every year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing gambling harm, free and confidential professional support is available by calling Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 (24/7) or visiting gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Louise Glanville, chief executive, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
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- Letters commenting on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by editor Jessica Grimble.