What a socialist member for Newcastle could do

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My opinion piece in the Newcastle Herald - text:

he Independent Commission Against Corruption has shown that the two major parties have presided over a culture of revolving-door corruption in the region.
It was a Labor government that privatised the state dockyards, started to privatise electricity, began the talk about closing the Newcastle rail line, increased TAFE fees, ran down our public transport and sold off the state lotteries.

Labor is obviously hoping that we have short memories and have forgotten our recent history. We haven’t! Newcastle deserves better than a ‘‘repentant’’ Labor!
The conservatives – whether ‘‘independent’’ or Liberal – are no better. There is no mandate to close the rail line, privatise the port, run down TAFE, sack public servants or reduce public services.
If elected as member for Newcastle, I would work to affect real and practical change.
Life after coal – the source of much of the recent corruption – will come sooner, rather than later. I believe that we need to start the shift towards renewable technologies now.
New sustainable industries and green jobs are urgently needed in our region in order to prepare for the post-coal economy.
The Hunter could become a manufacturing hub for wind turbines and solar power technologies.
Manufacturing based on renewable technologies could create new jobs in the production of rail carriages and ferries, the extension of the Hunter’s cycleways and the integration of public transport.
A rebirth of local manufacturing would also create a need, leading to expansion of the region’s vocational training and higher education sector.
An example of a practical measure I would take as member for Newcastle would be to support the work of the Earthworker Co-operative, a community-led initiative that aims to create green jobs that empower local communities through the manufacture of solar hot water systems.
Experience shows that socialists elected to public office can and do deliver.
In Fremantle, Western Australia, for example, thanks to an initiative of Sam Wainwright, a twice elected Socialist Alliance city councillor, housing development in that city now includes a mandated provision for affordable housing.
In Moreland, Victoria, thanks to an amendment by Sue Bolton, another elected Socialist Alliance city councillor, this city will be the first to move towards divestment from fossil fuel projects.
Sam and Sue are also effective advocates of public transport, rather than more expensive, unsustainable and polluting freeways and tollways in their communities.
As a member of parliament I would only draw an average wage from my salary. The difference of at least $60,000 a year would be used in grassroots community campaigns and lobbying to help make sure that Newcastle’s voice is heard.
I have lived in Latin America and am inspired by the ways in which progressive governments promote development through community and co-operative-based structures.
These measures show that there are real, workable and just alternatives to privatisation and corruption.
Electing a socialist would send a powerful message that Newcastle is not for sale, that Newcastle people support the public sector, and that we look forward to a future based on the local production of wind and solar power.
If elected as member for Newcastle, I will reject the bribes and put community need before developer greed.