We're Not Dead

Well, we're not.

On 30 June 2008 the terms of the four Australian Democrats Senators came to an end. In good grace, Senators Allison, Murray, Bartlett and Stott-Despoja stepped down from their seats to make way for the new order resulting from last year's Federal Election. And following that, there seemed to come an expectation from the Australian public that the Democrats would quietly roll over and die.

I ask you: what kind of Australian does that?

Here in the ACT, Canberrans have suffered four long years under the unfettered power of a majority government. We've seen a weak cross-bench bent to the whim of unrestrained Labor rule and we've seen a fractured and obstructionist Opposition serving their own interests above those of Canberrans. We've had four years with no one in our Legislative Assembly prepared to ask the hard questions and keep the bastards honest.

To the Australian Democrats, that sounds like a challenge.

This is when we're needed more than ever. This is when the Australian Democrats are more relevant than they've ever been. If we're the underdog, it only means we have to bark louder and longer to defend those accomplishments and aspirations that make the Australian Capital Territory strong.

The Australian Democrats believe in accountable government; they believe in responsible leadership; and they believe in Canberra. The big parties need someone to keep them in check, and the Democrats aren't going to step down from that fight when the going gets tough.

At this October election, the Australian Democrats are fielding a committed, visionary team who are prepared to go the hard yards to bring balance back to ACT politics. In Ginninderra, you're represented by Darren Churchill and Marilyn Dennis, and in Molonglo your candidate is Greg Tannahill. Together we offer the return to a sustainable, accountable government and a path to the better Canberra that you deserve.

Labor Stuck In Reverse On Public Transport

You don't pay for garbage. And free garbage is still garbage.

So why does Jon Stanhope think that public transport is different?

It's no secret that bus usage is in crisis. Families are dissatisfied with ACTION; people are tired of waiting an hour for a bus that doesn't go where they need to be. With our transport network in crisis, Canberrans deserve quick and intelligent action from our leaders.

But instead what we've had is a long wait followed by sub-par action.

Jon Stanhope has turned out his intellectual pockets and found nothing but lint and free buses; now he's grinning bashfully and holding up this "free buses" idea as though it's a public transport strategy. It's not what we need and it's a very long way from what we deserve.

The Labor government seems to think we're too poor for a bus fare. That's an understandable position in view of how they've mismanaged our money, but it's missing the point. We're not saving a three dollar bus fare by paying two dollars a litre for petrol. We're not using the buses because they don't get us from A to B. We need the buses to go where we want them, when we want them.

It's as simple as that. If the bus isn't there when we need it, it doesn't matter how much it would have cost. If it doesn't go where we're going, a discount doesn't make it more useful.

There is no city in Australia better designed for public transport than Canberra. We should have a system to make the States jealous. We should be who everyone else is chasing. Instead we have a network so impoverished that we're lucky to see key services running frequently even during peak hours. That's taken a special kind of mad genius to achieve, but let's not find out which other key services Mr Stanhope is looking to tinker with.

Canberrans deserve a better Canberra, and a better Canberra means buses when we want them, where we want them. Tell Mr Stanhope that we've had enough of bus policy that he found in his pocket; vote Greg Tannahill for Molonglo.

ACT Democrats Offer A Winning Team

I am proud to announce I have received pre-selection as an ACT Democrats candidate for the October 18 Election. I will be standing for election to the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Molonglo and will appear on ballot papers in the "ungrouped" column. I will be joined in my campaign by fellow candidates Darren Churchill and Marilyn Dennis, both of whom are standing in the electorate of Ginninderra. Together our team will bring the benefit of 31 years of Democrats cross-bench expertise to the forum of ACT politics.

Over the last decade Canberrans have suffered from irresponsible governance by both major parties. Our elected officials have failed to provide the affordable housing, high-quality education and comprehensive transport solutions that we deserve. By supporting me at the October election you will bring a return to responsible, accountable leadership and help create a better Canberra.

How You Can Help

So how can you help in my campaign for a better Canberra?

Well, a good start would be to vote for me in the ungrouped column at the October election!

But there are a lot of other ways you can help. One of the best is to talk about me; tell your friends I'm running for office, and encourage them to vote for me! Email people you know, or blog about my campaign, including a link to http://www.gregtannahill-for-canberra.org/. If you're on Facebook, join the Facebook group Greg Tannahill For Molonglo.

Join the Democrats! As a member of the Australian Democrats you'll be in a unique position to help shape policy and engage directly with politics locally and nationally.

We also need volunteers for a variety of tasks, including campaign management, issue workshopping, letterboxing, publicity, and a range of other activities. If you would like to volunteer, or to find out more about how you can assist the campaign, send an email to volunteers@gregtannahill-for-canberra.org

Short on time? You can help out by making a political donation! Every dollar matters. Email volunteers@gregtannahill-for-canberra.org to obtain details for making a donation directly to the campaign. You may also wish to donate to the Australian Democrats nationally.

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered their time and money to the campaign, and I look forward to hearing from many more of you over the coming weeks.