I have sent survey questions to all candidates who are contesting the Queensland state elections and I am publishing the responses, together with any additional comments, at http://candobetter.org/QldElections/survey as they come back.

The questions are:

1. Oppose privatisation: Will you give electors a categorical assurance, if elected, that either you will oppose any further sell-off of public assets, such as Queensland Rail, water infrastructure, electricity generation and distribution infrastructure, ports, airports, schools, hospitals, etc., or you will not support any sales until such time as the Queensland public have shown support for privatisation through a referendum or public opinion polls?

2. Oppose population growth: If elected, will you act to end the Queensland Government's current policy of actively encouraging population growth. Will you make it a policy goal to stabilise Queensland's population as close as possible to current levels and act to prevent our population from doubling from 4 million in 2005 to 8 million by as early as 2031?

3. Oppose high immigration: If elected, will you act to make the Queensland Parliament prevail upon the Federal Government to dramatically reduce its current record high immigration program?

4. No increase in coal exports: Will you oppose any further increase in the rate of extraction of climate-changing coal? Will you oppose Premier Anna Bligh's stated intention made in July last year to triple Queensland's already record levels of coal exports by 2030?

5. Save the Felton Valley: Will you oppose coal mining in the Felton Valley (http://friendsoffelton.blogspot.com) agricultural region south west of Toowoomba?

6. Save Bimblebox: Will you oppose the destruction of the Bimblebox nature refuge (http://www.bimblebox.org) by a planned massive open-cut coal mine?

7. No second aluminium smelter: Will you oppose the construction of a massive, polluting, global-warming, Chinese-government-owned aluminium refinery planned to be built on the wetlands to the north of Bowen?

8. Stop rent gouging: Will you take effective action to protect domestic renters and businesses from excessive rent increases?

9. Housing a human right: Would you support European-style legislation that would enshrine access to decent affordable housing as basic human right for all Queenslanders?

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10. Water a human right: Would you support legislation that would guarantee access to water as a basic human right for all Queenslanders?

11. Government-sponsored full employment: Would you support, at the state level, the implementation of the enter of Full Employment and Equity's (CofFEE - http://e1.newcastle.edu.au/coffee/) program to provide full employment in socially and environmentally useful programs for all Australians needing work, fully costed at $9 billion per year?

James Sinnamon
Independent candidate for Mount Coot-tha
http://candobetter.org/QldElections/MountCoot-tha">candobetter.org/QldElections/MountCoot-tha
http://candobetter.org/QldElections">candobetter.org/QldElections
http://candobetter.org/QldElections/survey">candobetter.org/QldElections/survey

CJ,
The government smotherment.
Any choice in QLD is profoundly the lesser of two evils. Neither side does much for me. What bothers me most is the campaigns are about the leaders. Policy is the Herd of randy Bull Elephants in the corner. They’re what are going to make the difference.
This election seems to be more substance free than previous. From the political parties perspective that’s fine few promises = fewer broken ones at the next election.
It seems that providing the premier is personable then he’s okay.
In several Bayside electorates there are candidates who have local government records that stink but likely to get up because of their leader. To me it’s like putting a gold RR symbol bonnet ornament on a 60’s Skoda the car still sucks.
LNP is still the same old national Skoda with an ideological/ambitious edge.

Lalor’s ministers are tired and compromised either by long-term arrogance/previous compromises or less than impressive performances. This lack lustre campaign proves that.

A hung parliament anywhere else would be good but look at the likely cross benchers! God bless Qld.

While is doesn’t really matter who has the treasury benches from one perspective. The only think that Qlders can bank on is development up to your ear holes. Houses in the south east and mining elsewhere. I wonder how many developers have funded this election. If LNP gets up any odds on what will go first? The SE plan and in its place, a developers picnic.

There is a precedent. The candidate for the Redlands was a key player in dragging back the previous council’s strategic plan. And then went nuts making developer millionaires by “facilitating” subdivisions left right and centre. Some of the tactics were well…interesting.

Personally I view Bligh as a better premier than Beatie because she is/was actually doing something besides being ‘a media tart’. And Queensland is still a curmudgeonary place. 80’s economics, 50’s attitudes to sexism,capitalism and personal responsibility

We will get the government that the majority want, it may not be the government that we want but thats life.

Richie 10,
That's the theory but in reality it is some what less democratic.
Ultimately we are choosing between two options that two other undemocratic minorities have decided for us.
E.g.
• In theory I can influence who is to be my representative in either the LNP or ALP but not both.
• What do you do as a voter if you are partial to one party's policies but not the candidate?
• What happens if as a branch member if the decision was made from H/O rather than at state or locally.
• What if the branch has been stacked etc.
One party I know of branch was 25 people. Those 25 chose the branch committee. of 7 people the members choose 2 on the selection committee the other two were the president and the secretary. This 4 ‘vet’ those who want endorsement. Usually 2 are recommended. Then the branch votes.

From here on the following is indicative.

The Branch committee chooses 2 to go to the State Committee of say 400 debates/ votes on state policy. 20 are elected the State Executive and 20 are chosen to sit on the National Committee. These 120 debates/votes on the National Policies and vote for the National Executive of 25 the NE can override a SE or branch.
Policy can be passed up from the branch but has to face all these levels to become endorsed. It may/ may not be in the same form as suggested. Each level has its own politics.
Then the Parliamentary Leaders/reps maybe able to override the lot and go on their own ideological binge (i.e. Howard with core /non core promises and Work choices).
This convolution i.e. Choices by 1, 25 or 5000x2 is therefore hardly voter participation or democratic.
Real choice is illusional in a party dominated system. Responsibly the voter has to choose one but it’s Hob’s.
Hence I would take parties out of the equation.

Given the modern malaise and antipathy towards government, most elections are a choice between the lesser of two evils.

I agree with CJ if the dissillusionment of the major parties can bring in some good independents and Greens that will be a positive step.

Crossing my fingers for Queensland in the hope than in future dubious projects won't be rubberstamped without democratic scrutiny and consultation.