Balanced debate, respect for an opposing opinion and the right to agree to disagree are essential in a democracy if people are going to move forward together. Tweed Mayor Katie Milne (Green) has said she found the bullying that has taken place during the recent debate over the site of the new Tweed Valley Hospital ’shocking’. She is now ‘calling on all local politicians, candidates, fellow Councillors, the community and the media to help stop the bullying’.
‘The Tweed hospital and the state election saw online bullying in our politics rise to an all-time high.
‘The intensity of the vitriol has been truly shocking,’ she said.
‘As politicians we can set an example by ending negative political campaigning. Negative campaigning sends a terrible message to the community that our leaders endorse bad-mouthing others. It’s so ugly to see it in our media and plastered all around our streets on posters. Bullying is a sickness and is not something we should ever inadvertently condone.’
Ms Milne draws a parallel between this type of behaviour and the recent Christchurch shootings.
‘The tragedy of the Christchurch shootings and the messages of peace and love that are flowing in the aftermath are a powerful lesson to us all,’ she said.
‘We all struggle with anger but those who go overboard really need to consider getting help. There are free anger management courses available in the area.
‘We are so privileged to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and our love for this place has always been what unites us. Community cohesion is such a precious and valuable treasure but it needs to be nurtured. We must not let our passions or our differences ruin our sense of community.
‘Let’s all make a supreme effort to support each other in the face of bullying even, and especially, if it comes from those on our own side of the debate.’
The story could be an Agatha Christie with the title of “Blood on the Cudgen Red Soil Plain”.
Again, Geoff Provest has won the electorate of Tweed when the Tweed is a hospital case.
Bullying in any form or circumstance is never acceptable anytime. But Katie you need to stand up as Mayor and lead by example and stop giving your personal opinion about issues. You were elected to serve all not just a few. All councillors need to do the same and stop the us and them mentality that exists between you all. Stand up for the whole community and move the Tweed Coast forward, enough of treading water..
For the community to move forward together Katie Milne needs to put forward a Council motion to fully accept the Tweed Valley Hospital at Cudgen and to cooperate with the State Government to deliver the best possible health care services for the region.
She needs to come together with the community instead of standing around holding signs and protesting and objecting to everything.
Milne could have constructive input into the hospital if she wanted to.
The responsibility to stop being divisive rests with Milne. Show some community spirit!
With the generations of extremely clever Tech heads why can’t On Line input be screened?
If you place an add on Gum Tree it is screened before placing.
If that could be done the Bullying would decrease as many are too gutless to show the faces.
It’s time for a change as no one deserves that, whether we agree or not you are entitled to your beliefs.
To Will James
Never was, never will be …a good idea to put the hospital at Cudgen.
You fail to see the point about the bullying. To agree to disagree.
It is very hard to accept the destruction of Cudgen and all the development that will follow on.
A Royal Commission is the bully we need to investigate the vested interests in this site and why it was rubber stamped. The community could then find the same relief as we did with the findings on the behaviour of the banks.