Sir,

Great to see a number of candidates seeking election to the next Alice Springs Town Council next month on March 24th. From the new potentials thus far (with more to come prior to or when nominations open this Friday, February 10th) along with some incumbents, there will be a field of people from which to extract a team with community focused, business and cultural experience who can help to grow our town forward. People are welcome to their particular agendas but the underpinning good of the town is paramount.

Party political allegiances are somewhat obvious from many of the new and incumbent candidates that will invariably affect how people ‘block vote’ in this proportional representation ballot.

Electing a team that is reflective of the vibrant spectrum of our community is important. A ‘whole-of-community’ perspective embraced by a group that represents a broad representation of the socially diverse fabric enjoyed by this town will see a comprehensive council help to build us forward. Age, gender, cultural background, philiosophy and vision are all factors to consider.

In cohort with the Mayor and Council administration, this team of eight elected representatives will help to drive this town forward over the ensuing four years. Let’s hope that whoever is elected as part of that team undertakes their role in favour of integrity, passion, clarity and purpose while rejecting self-serving, inflated ego and political opportunism.

Phil Walcott
Alice Springs.

This letter aims to get local people to think about the members they elect. Political party games are certainly ‘on the agenda’. Attempts to ‘stack’ the Council in favour of a vocal minority is not seen as being as democratic as one would like. There is a good variety of talented local people who are more interested in moving the town forward than their own ego-driven political aspirations so that’s good. Of course, there are always going to be individuals who are more interested in their own self-promotion than the benefits to be attracted to the town. Nominations open next Friday (10th February). There has already been a number of people who have ‘put up their hands’ so we’ll see closer to the March election who will actually contest the event.

Spending part of my weekends and after work hours through the week to canvas the electorate is both edifying and useful. Getting to know what some of the issues are for residents is important…along with finding out what they expect from their local member. Communication, accessibility and being visible outside of election ramp ups was common. The job is about being of assistance to the local constituents with issues that impact on them individually. Clearly, working closely together with the Alice Springs Town Council is a major component of the task. This job is not about ‘headlines and media grabs’…it’s about working for the people WITH the people!!!

All in all a very enjoyable afternoon dappled in beautiful sunshine, light breeze and pleasnat people. I’m going to love working with them!!!

I had lunch with two prospective candidates (including another for the electorate I’m contesting) through the week with some good, robust discussion. This is not about being in a contest against other candidates, it’s about being able to present the best options to the electorate and allow them to decide who they want. I’m hoping there will be at least one other candidate who will contest Greatorex (currently three)…the more choices people have, the better the opportunities to have their views reflected in the parliament and have their issues dealt with by an elected member who works hard for them. Some of the political people who have been assisting with this campaign seem to regard it as some kind of ‘war’ I have to win. I don’t see it in the same light.

Firstly, though, we have the Alice Springs Town Council elections in March. A new voting system (proportional representation) is being introduced to replace the preferential voting system. The difference between the two is explained below (courtesy of Wikipedia).

Preferential voting (preference voting or ranked voting) is a method of balloting in which voters rank candidates in order of preference, and the winner [or winners] is arrived at by elimination. The least competitive candidates are removed one by one, and their supporter’s ballots are transferred to each voter’s next best choice. It’s effective at electing the candidate(s) with the broadest range of electoral support on a single ballot; and when choosing from, or encouraging, a large number of potential candidates.
The voter indicates their first choice with a ’1′, their second with a ’2′, and so on, and their single vote is attributed only to their favorite (highest ranked) still eligible candidate in each round. The field is whittled down through successive rounds; removing the single least favorite candidate each round until the favorite(s) of the electorate is found. This is the method to be used in the Legislative Assembly elections in August.

Proportional representation (PR) on the other hand is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular party then roughly 30% of seats will be won by that party. PR is an alternative to voting systems based on single member districts or on bloc voting; these non-PR systems tend to produce disproportionate outcomes and to have a bias in favour of larger political groups. PR systems tend to produce a proliferation of political parties, while single member districts encourage a two-party system.
There are many different forms of proportional representation. Some are focused solely on achieving the proportional representation of different political parties (such as list PR) while others permit the voter to chose between individual candidates (such as PR-STV). The degree of proportionality also varies; it is determined by factors such as the precise formula used to allocate seats, the number of seats in each constituency or in the elected body as a whole, and the level of any minimum threshold for election. The AS Council elections will use the PR-STV version.

There will be several candidates vying for election, hopefully representing a solid cross-section of the community with regard to age, background, ethnicity and interests. Local council is governed by the Local Government Act NT (2008). A concern shared by many is that the candidates are currently being ‘stacked’ in favour of a conservative element.

As the 30 Saturdays represent the week’s left in this campaign, it will be my job to get out into the electorate to discuss issues with the people and businesses that reside here in Greatorex. I’ll aim to keep my blog active weekly to up-date you on events and outcomes as they emerge.

More today…the weather is wet and just a little bit wild!!! Monsoonal water is lovely with the winds beginning to pick up around the waterfront area. I was here in Darwin last February when Cyclone Carlos ‘visited’…not sure another will evolve but…que sera, sera!!!

Robyn Moore entertained us well on Day 2 along with some input from Victorian education folk. I like the position of how the Victorian funding model works. Some ‘team time’ was well received and we finished the day with a networking function at the Convention Centre.

The key to growing out of the worlds many young people are born into is education. Education about choices…choices to engage and learn what’s possible if we all learn better ways of doing things. Education is clearly an experience that is life-long and 24/7…not just restricted to the school environments. It’s been a professional environment I’ve worked within (in various capacities) for 35 years now.

Having spent time in communities around the Central Australian regions as well as in towns, it’s patently obvious that many people have become ‘aclimatised’ to ‘the way it is’…rubbish strewn everywhere, few people engaged in employment so the reduction in postive ‘role-modelling’ as to why kids should go to school to learn has become ‘the norm’. Better physical, mental and spiritual health practices will lead to better educational outomes and vice-versa.

The Dawin Waterfront and Convention Centre (along with the Medina Vibe for accommodation) is providing a very pleasant environment in which to engage with colleagues NT-wide. A fantastic opportunity to engage in converstaions and build stronger collegiate relationships. Will let you know how it goes.

Sir,

Your story on ‘Our Ambassadors’ (Friday 20th January edition) reminds me that we are ALL tourism ambassadors for Alice Springs and our Central Australian region both here and when we travel away.

I notice tourists who are particularly pleased to find a smiling face and a welcoming attitude when they encounter our local people. As they are guests in our town, we are all responsible for some of that positive ‘customer service’ that is always helpful. Hospitality staff, in particular, are encouraged to serve the people (locals and tourists) with a smile along with efficient, friendly service.

The tag line ‘Tourism…it’s everybody’s business’ reinforces the fact that we are all involved in the industry at one level of another – as a service provider, business owner or resident. Our individual and collective behaviour both here at home and when we’re away resonates with those who observe it…and they talk about it. So let’s keep our behaviour and messages a positive, real reflection of all things terrific about our town and her people.

The derailment of a goods train near Edith Falls River in the Katherine area carrying loads of copper concentrate (and tiny amounts of uranium) cut the rail connection between Darwin and the rest of the country. A demonstration as to the fragility of our NT transport infrastructure and how delicately the scales can be tipped with just one event. The event raised again the issues around transporting uranium (in whatever form) around the NT and the hazards associated with that.

In Hobart right now to visit with a good friend, Annie (Alexander’s Mum), who use to live in The Alice. Catching up with some former Sydney friends, Waren and Brendan, who now live here too. Off to Launceston on Friday to visit with another friend Jane, who is also a former denizen of The Alice. Then to Melbourne on Saturday for a weekend of tourism related events where I get to ‘talk up The Territory’ through a radio interview and a trade event. I love talking about all of the possibilities the NT has to offer.

Fantastic Tourism Central Australia Executive meeting all day yesterday to begin our stategic planning initiatives for the next five years. It’s a very vibrant group with some really exciting outcomes being generated. Building and growing the region with tourism as a hub is a very energising task. I’m delighted to be able to be part of the process.

Will add somemore to this blog over the next few days as the adventre continues…

And now from Launceston…sitting on a balcony at friend Jane’s home overlooking the river, enjoying the wildlife and boats. Serenity is bliss.

Congratulation to the NT Government for it’s successful deliberations on the IMPEX gas deal yesterday. It’s a tremendous bonus for ALL Territorians and will help to build the economic and subsequent social coffers. This deal has been several years in the planning so for the incumbent NTG to have successfully negotiated this outcome is a great boost for our future forward. Well done, Chief Minister Paul Henderson and your team.

Congratulations also to Alice Springs’ Mayor Damien Ryan, Finke Desert Race chair, Antony (Yoff) Yoffa and photographer, Steve Strike for their ‘pilgrimage’ to China to secure it’s involvement in future race events along with pre and post destination options. A fantastic opportunity to build the China and other Asian tourism markets into the NT and throughout Australia. The industry is looking at new ways to build product and experiences within our fantastic region right now so this is a great(orex) beginning.

Leveraging off these successes presents only some of the tremendous opportunities that help to build our various economic and social status. Let’s see what other opportunities lie ahead. As always, I’m looking forward to the positive outcomes already achieved and yet to be…

Off to Melbourne this afternoon for Midsumma Festival and a radio interview with JOY-FM tomorrow…talking up The Territory…it’s what I love to do!!!

The plan is to add at least a blog each week and I’ll be calling on my social networks to help provide me with some questions.

Hope you all enjoy the days and year ahead…it’ll be interesting that’s for sure!!!

This time next week, the roll out of 2012 will have begun. With just 31 more Saturdays until the Legislative Assembly election, there is much to be done. Working with the people in the Greatorex electorate to determine what their best ideas are about growing the great NT forward will be informative, instructive and instrumental in my quest to represent them and their ideas. I have a few of my own to discuss with them. The support I’m receiving is very encouraging from so many sectors of the community…it’s all about sustaining that conviction that I can be a credible candidate and representative for the people.

As we head towards 2012, can I take this opportunity to thank all of you who have and are supporting this quest. Your positive comments, best wishes and love are all helping to ‘phil the gaps’…may each and every one of you have a tremendous year ahead filled with your own successes and achievements. The Year Of The Dragon is set to dawn in February…we’ll see what kind of ‘soar’ she can unleash for our respective health and happiness.

There were several pertinent messages throughout the presentations that I would like to share with you. They very strongly reflect so much of what is possible and add to the essence of what this campaign is aiming to build upon.

Restoring and building harmony, working together to value each other, respecting diversity, sharing individual and collective life journeys and acknowledging lateral violence (within our own families and groups). It promotes the establishment and continuation of ‘Healing Hubs’ that focus on managing loss, grief, addictions, mental wellness through traditional practices that produce actions and strategies.

Inter-generational hurt and trauma (in whatever culture we belong to) has led to social disconnection. The forum urged us all to ‘phil the gap’ between our ears to evolve our integrity, humanity and harmony that leads us to a better balance in our lives. It promotes responsible living where we each take responsibility for our own life journey where we own the solutions to our own problems. A whole-of-community approach is emphasised that recognises the significant contributions of Ngangkaris (pronounced nun kurry) to the traditional practices of medicine and healing.

There were clear messages to all tiers of government to adequately fund and resource Aboriginal Homelands (also known as Outstations) as this is where the ‘healing from country’ takes place.

Reunite with self and each other…find solutions for climate change and healing. Form community centres in town camps that involve partnerships…listen to kids and elders. Focus on the positives and forming aligned partnerships. Healing programs begin with the self.

Use positive language to help define healing projects.

There are may projects currently in place including the Men’s Program and Men’s Shelter at Santa Teresa that focuses on self-empowerment and re-engaging with families…father and uncle programs, Tangentyere Rehab programs that focus on young people and inter-generational healing.

All incredibly impressive…and supportive of the ‘phil the gap’ campaign.