This is the text of a speech I gave to the Ryde-Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society on the 7th of May. I was asked to comment on environmental issues, and hope I did a decent job of that.Hello, I'm John August Fusion/Pirate party candidate for Bennelong. Within Bennelong, I often bushwalk, and have walked here from Cressy Road, I've been on your local walking tours, and have also sometimes dropped in on your outpost down the way. I'm also getting involved with the Lane Cove bushcare group, so have an additional interest in the area.
A look at votes in NSW on secular issues, and the influence of the religious lobby, and a gesture ...
We have had recent votes on two secular issues, which I thought I'd review for my web page. These were the vote on the 11th May 2017 on the "Abortion Law Reform (Miscellaneous Acts Amendment) Bill 2016" and on the 16th November 2017 on the "Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017".
This article emerges from my attempt to make sense of both development around the Ryde area, but also development more generally and the record of the current state Liberal Government. So, while there's a focus on Ryde, I expect there will be a good deal of material relevant to people in NSW generally. For sure, the issues we struggle with would be shared by many throughout the rest of NSW.
While I'm not standing for the By-Election in Bennelong, I still feel the inclination to stick my oar in. Perhaps you'll find what I have to say of interest.
Introduction
Both others in the pirate party and myself wanted me to contest this by-election, but we could not get our resources together in time. We wanted to be sure that we would do a better job this time. And we were unable to get enough people to commit. Still, I'm hopeful that - with a bit of notice - I'll be contesting the next election as a pirate party candidate.
I recently put myself forward as a candidate for these elections. You can see my statement here. I received around 100 votes, around 0.5%. Not so many, but it was better than the 0.3% that the Democratic Labor Party made in Central Ward last election, and I think compares reasonably well to the 1.3% I received at the Federal election, when I was an endorsed Pirate Party candidate.
This is my latest adventure - standing for election as councillor, trying to do some good, and learn more about how the world works.
Introduction
I've long thought about politics - as you can see in other writings - and hopefully you can see some worth in my perspective. Long ago I wrote a letter to my local members, a first attempt to engage with politics in the area. I should point out that since then I've managed to catch up with Mr.
This article first appeared in The Ryde Recorder, newsletter of the Ryde District Historical Society, back around December 2007
When I wonder about the past, I wonder about the different society, the different people, and the different economy. Nowadays, many dwellings are isolated from industry. In fact, they can be _too_ separated - we talk about "dormitory suburbs".