Inside Trader writes:
Latest story NOT to hit the press (i.e. Nancy Bates’s personal election platform for her favourite council candidates – the ChronicallyIll) is the “Secret List”. Apparently Mick Kruger’s campaign lackeys have been handing out a secret list of who HIS wants on his council when HE wins. (Yes that is right not “if” but “when” he wins.)
Anyway, turns out that the principle electoral officer found out about it and has taken action and there is a bit of an investigation. Election material must fit a particular format and be duly authorised etc etc, all of which Mick knew of course as did his campaign manager but not being overly bright they seemed to think it would be easy to keep it a secret. Even funnier is the fact that some of the candidates that thought they were Mick’s mates found out that they were NOT on the list initially (Refer Bob Campbell) and it had to be amended several times to keep the whingers happy as Mick likes to do. Some are still “NOT HAPPY JAN (Mick)!!!” With over 20 years working in council and over 10 years as a councillor, Kruger is very familiar with the laws and ignorance cannot be used as an excuse for flouting the laws on this one.
Also questions starting to be asked about funding of election campaigns, Kruger’s in particular. One of the anomalies in the election process is the declaration of campaign contributions. Developers can make huge contributions to any candidate they want to get elected, all legal and above board. The problem is that we, the voters, cannot find out who is getting funded by who. Not for weeks possibly months at least and by then the election is over and it is too late. There has been a call for all candidates to publicly declare their contributors before the election. How many do this we will have to wait and see. How many do it and do not tell the whole truth, we may have to wait even longer to see. Don’t hold your breath for the ChronicallyIll to do any in depth investigation. Well, at least if the anointed one gets in. Wouldn’t put it past them to do a witch hunt if he doesn’t though.
Re:the secret list!
Very few people make political donations for nothing.
There is always a payback,Shylock demands his pound of flesh. So what can councillors offer? The keys to your city. Big signs, TV, full page adds, all cost money. Think carefully before you vote.
In response to the discussion on campaign contributions. I intend to conduct a respectful campaign for the Mayoral position on the Fraser Coast Council and do not intend to comment on matters raised in relation to other candidates. On the other hand I do not want to be linked to campaign contributions comments. I have never accepted any campaign contributions for any election I have stood for, including this one. I have no intention of accepting any campaign contributions for this election.
I am strongly against receiving campaign contributions especially from developers. I will not be compromised.
Paul Hefferan.
Candidate for Mayor