21.5 C
Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

A vote for democracy

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's offical, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

UK court seeks assurances from US over Julian Assange

The UK High Court of Justice has released a 66 page judgement seeking more information from the United States relating to Australian citizen Julian Assange, which it says it needs before deciding whether to grant the WikiLeaks founder leave to appeal his extradition.

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

Urgent appeal

At last Thursday’s Byron Council meeting a long and dedicated campaign to save rail tracks and restore trains in...

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

What has happened to our democracy? The findings of ICAC in NSW highlight the extent that vested interests will go to in order to influence political parties.

These vested interests have control of the democratic institutions that determine our legislation.

An elected representative who is a member of a political party does not represent the wishes of the community.

It is time to win our democracy back and break the political party nexus.

We have an opportunity at the forthcoming state election to send a clear message that the people of the Ballina electorate no longer want to be dictated to by party politics.

We now have a clear choice. Jeff Johnson has an outstanding record as a councillor on Ballina council.

He listens to his constituents as evidenced by his decision to vote against the proposed rate rise; not because of his personal view but because this was what the feedback received by council was saying.

He has very strong principles. He initiated the CSG Free Ballina campaign and he is the co-ordinator of the Save Ballina Koalas campaign.

Jeff continually looks for solutions that best meet the needs of the community whilst ensuring minimal impact on the natural environment.

Given the unique area we reside in this is something all people in the Ballina electorate should be working towards.

Make your vote at the state election a vote for true democracy.

Rob Drury, Ballina


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.