Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Howard S. Emanuel

Independents Offer Choice and Vigour (Howard Emanuel)

The Deputy Prime Minister is a confusing man at times. One the one hand he espouses moral values and a "fair go for all" attitude, on the other he supports inertia and myopia. Read more...

By Howard Emanuel - 4th October 2004 - Back to News

The Deputy Prime Minister is a confusing man at times. One the one hand he espouses moral values and a "fair go for all" attitude, on the other he supports inertia and myopia. His recent comments condemning Independents as bit players in the political process, un-beholden of the vast abilities of party based politicians is a nothing argument, put up to encourage the public to continue its support for our contemporary politic.

Perhaps Mr. Anderson is simply afraid of the complexity of argument and debate that would occur should the cross benches in the House of Representatives become more diverse, more reflective of community views.

Independents in the parliament have one demonstrable asset on their side that party politicians can only hanker after. The opportunity to speak freely, to respond to community views and offer an unbiased, indeed progressive dialogue in the parliament, unencumbered of the need to fit party ideology and appease Mr. Anderson’s coalition power brokers, the Liberal Party.

In one sense how dare the Deputy PM stymie and discourage individual Australians from seeking to fulfill their potential, from fulfilling their charter to the community, to respond to the challenge from within and enter the political fray with a desire to hand the parliament back to the people, away from the grip of the big parties. To stand toe to toe with the self-appointed political elite and represent the real view of how a great many Australians live, of life in the suburbs, of life in the bush. The National Party as the only rural voice, who says so; history?

I would of thought a man that espouses the want of the bush in his every utterance would of welcomed another view of rural life, of rural realism, devoid of the often narrow view that is presented. Come on John, the Nationals will remain in a strong position, what is it you fear so much that demands you lambaste and humiliate any other voice from the country, voices that are talking the same language as you, the voice of reason and the voice of conscience. The voice that calls for all Australians to recognise the fundamental role the rural sector plays in the life of all of us, country and city alike.

Or are your motivations only about exclusivity and the corralling of power, of nothing more than a privileged position that dictates who enters our parliaments and who doesn’t. I thought that right was exclusively that of the Australian people, the right to elect on merit, on fresh thinking, not on party membership, allegiance and too often, influence. Well John no one has a mortgage on all the answers, society is a broad church where all members are required to contribute if we are to reach optimum potential. Welcome us in and work together, who knows what could be achieved.

As a demonstration of the commitment of Independent candidates at this federal election have a look at the website www.Smartvote.info and you tell me what is so inherently wrong in what you read.

Thank you.

Howard Emanuel.

Independent Candidate for the Federal Seat of McMillan.

Convener: Rural Social Justice Movement

Tele/Fax: (03)5684 1561

Mobile: 0400 158 896

E-mail:   howard@howardemanuel.com

Website: www.HowardEmanuel.com

                                                                           "Bringing the People back into Policy!"

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: kris@howardemanuel.com

• Latrobe City Council elects Sharon Gibson as Mayor and Dale Harriman as Deputy Mayor for 2025 - 26
  Latrobe City Council has elected Sharon Gibson as Mayor and Dale Harriman as Deputy Mayor for 2025 - 26, pledging to diversify the economy, support local industries, and create jobs for the community.
• Tim Bull criticises Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing G-Wagon concerns, warning Gippsland’s fire preparedness is reduced
  Tim Bull criticises Environment Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing concerns about withdrawn G-Wagon firefighting vehicles, warning Gippsland faces reduced fire preparedness and urging clear answers before the upcoming fire season.
• Latrobe City urges the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety urgent activation of Traralgon Bank Street and Princes Highway traffic lights
  Latrobe City Council urges Victorian Ministers to urgently activate the Bank Street–Princes Highway traffic lights in Traralgon, addressing safety concerns after completed works remain non-operational since 2018.
• Melina Bath appointed Shadow Minister for Outdoor Recreation, championing regional lifestyles and economic opportunities
  Melina Bath has been appointed Shadow Minister for Outdoor Recreation, pledging to champion outdoor access, community wellbeing, and the vital economic and lifestyle benefits outdoor activities bring to regional Victoria.
• Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
  Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture.
• Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition.
• Martin Cameron urges Energy Minister to lift outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Minister Lily D'Ambrosio for refusing to review outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon, despite studies confirming land stability for development.
• Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
  The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project.
• Six-year Thurra River campground closure triggers renewed demands for urgent government action before summer
  Tim Bull says East Gippslanders face another summer without Thurra River’s main campground, urging the Minister to expedite long-delayed approvals after six years, stressing local businesses rely on its reopening.
• Cr Nathan Hersey elected as Mayor and Cr Brad Snell as Deputy Mayor for South Gippsland and other council updates
  Councillor Nathan Hersey was elected Mayor and Councillor Brad Snell Deputy Mayor of South Gippsland Shire for 12 months, marking Hersey’s second and Snell’s first term in these roles.
• Darren Chester returns to Shadow Cabinet as Veterans’ Affairs Minister, advocating for ADF personnel, veterans and families
  Darren Chester returns as Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, pledging bipartisan support, accountability, and ongoing reforms to ensure timely, accessible assistance for Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans and their families.
• Baw Baw Councillors elect Kate Wilson as Mayor and Suzanne Allen Deputy Mayor for 12-month council leadership term
  Baw Baw Councillors have unanimously elected Kate Wilson as Mayor and Suzanne Allen as Deputy Mayor, leading the Council for the next 12 months and representing the community’s interests.
• Wellington Shire Council elects Cr Cindy Madeley as Mayor and Cr Liz Foat as Deputy Mayor marking up historic female leadership
  Cr Cindy Madeley and Cr Liz Foat were elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Wellington Shire, marking historic female leadership and a focus on community, innovation, inclusion, and strategic development.
• Tim Bull slams government’s restrictive, confusing emergency levy exemptions failing CFA volunteers across Gippsland
  Tim Bull says the government’s flawed levy exemptions are too complex and restrictive, leaving CFA volunteers frustrated, excluded, and unsupported, and is urging the Minister to simplify the process.
• South Gippsland immunisation sessions extended with extra times to support community after Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure
  Following Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure, immunisation sessions have been extended, offering full-range vaccines for children, adults, pregnant women, and at-risk groups, with extra times available for community bookings.