Tom Tabart, Bellarine Greens
It is not where the vote preference will end up, it is the ethics of signalling that you may support an issue that is both stupid and dangerous.
I just heard Richard Di Natale squirming on national radio over the decision of the Greens in Richmond to inappropriately preference the barking anti-vaxxers.
The ALP does this sort of thing routinely to help their slower supporters with numbers, the coalition out of venal desperation – and hang the consequences.
I strongly suspect Michael Lyon and his ‘advisers’ embarked on this course because there is more than a sprinkling of measles enthusiasts in the Shire, including some in the Greens.
So to keep a few dopey locals on side they have embarrassed the Greens nationally.
I think you’re being a bit tough on Byron Greens Tom, have you seen the list of candidates running for Richmond? Michael Lyons ticket puts Greens 1 and Labor 2. Tom Barnett from IMO was 4th after Sustainable Aust (anti-immigration and keen gun clubbie). Clive (can’t buy democracy) Palmer was last (8) followed by Fred Niles Christians (7), with Nats burger king at no. 6.
Ray Karam from disreputable Universal cult in Lismore was 5th and he’s been running around pretending to be a green independent with matching signs and tshirt (til he was reported then disappeared from pre-polls!)
It’s a pretty nasty bunch – so many contenders for last place. I personally was reluctant to hand over my preference to Labor’s Justine Elliot so easily and put Tom Barnett as my No. 2 because no government should be using financially pressure and exclusion tactics to force parents to vaccinate their kids. IMO is the least harmful of all the other groups on offer.
Labor can’t decided whether they will go with Adani and are promoting more CSG fracking in NT – poor Bill just hasn’t the courage to stand up and save the planet, unlike Bob Hawke who boldly defied the unions to protect the Franklin. I put those evil Nats last are you suggesting we put Fred’s right wing nutters, or spendthrift Clive should rank higher or gun toting candidates higher than an anti vaxer?
Michele, I completely concur with Tom Tabart’s analysis. The anti-vaxxers are a dangerous lunatic fringe that should be put in the same category as the climate change deniers. I am of an age where I can remember the last polio outbreak in Australia affecting thousands of Australian children. I would wonder why school mates would disappear from school only to appear many months later with calipers on their legs. Parents breathed a huge sigh of relief when a vaccine was invented. I can remember a childhood friend who died from tetanus. Vaccine against tetanus is part of child immunization .
There is no true scientific evidence to support the anti vaxxers. There is plenty of scientific evidence to support the benefits of vaccination. The anti -vaxxers not only endanger the lives of their own children but the lives of other children. That is why I preferenced the anti-vaxxers last.
Well written Harold. Most of us who grew up in the Byron Shire in the fifties knew victims of polio, remember lining up with the whole town for the vaccine at the Council Chambers and remember the sense of relief that we would be spared their disability and its privations.