Dear Suse,

No matter how we vote - we live in a Liberal
Electorate - so Liberals always end up
winning. We've had Kevin Andrews for years
and years. I presume that he shall still be
running at the next election. I can't see him
retiring any time soon - much as I'd like to
see somebody new - being given a chance - in
our electorate. Andrews has been in for over
20 years.

Yes Foxy, it is the same where we live, although most go for the Coalition because of the National Party component. The 'Royalties for Regions' scheme has given our city plenty of new amenities and sporting facilities, so we are happy!

Dear Suse,

We're happy as well. We have beautiful Parks
and walking trails, a brand new library system,
nature reserves, shopping complexes, excellent
schools, and a huge entertainment centre,
you name it we have it so we can't really
complain. We've also had new hospitals built
and the old ones updated. We are lucky.
I'd better count my blessings rather than complain.

Foxy,

I too live in a safe Liberal seat - we have good amenities too,

Just on Suse's point:

"Yes Foxy, it is the same where we live, although most go for the Coalition because of the National Party component. The 'Royalties for Regions' scheme has given our city plenty of new amenities and sporting facilities, so we are happy!"

We do need to differentiate here between the Nationals at state level and the Nationals at federal level.

The person who achieved WA's Royalties for Regions was Brendan Grylls. He was leader of the Parliamentary National Party of Australia (WA).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendon_Grylls

"After becoming party leader, Grylls pushed for an independent National Party and refused to enter into a coalition with either of the major parties before the 2008 state election.

During vote counting on election night, when it was apparent that the party was likely to hold a balance of power, possibly in both houses, Grylls reiterated his stance of requiring that the government deliver 25 per cent of mining and petroleum royalties for reinvestment in regional projects, as outlined in the Royalties for Regions policy. He also said that he would have no problem forming a coalition with the Australian Labor Party if it promised to deliver under the policy.

After the Liberal–National Coalition came to power, he implemented the Royalties for Regions scheme, which sees the equivalent of 25 per cent of the state's mining and petroleum royalty revenue (capped at $1 billion per annum) invested into Western Australia's regional infrastructure, services and projects."

It was a state Nationals initiative, not a federal one.

Grylls managed a fantastic outcome using his balance of power heft to introduce Royalties for Regions. He's a bit a hero in WA for doing so.

His actions are rare in politics.

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for the information.

We need more politicians that are prepared
to take a stand for the good of their
electorate. It is rare, as you say.

I have to admit that I do not trust Bill
Shorten. What he did with Rudd and Gillard
I thought was under-hand.

The good that politicians do is not usually reported. Recently I read two reports that are heartwarming and counteract the unrelenting cynicism towards politicians one usually encounters in the media,

Liza Harvey
<DEPUTY Premier Liza Harvey has opened up about her late husband Hal’s battle with cancer in a an interview about her career in politics.

Ms Harvey told Community News Group she was looking forward to working alongside Premier Colin Barnett, who had been a great support while her husband was ill.

“I’ve had a very tough few years, particularly through that last year of my husband’s illness, it was a very, very trying time and Colin was quite simply fantastic,” she said.

“There were times where I decided to pull out of a function at the last minute because there might be some critical issue at home that I had to deal with and Colin was the one who would step in.”>
http://tinyurl.com/jykre6u

and,

Jeff Kennett stepping up to the plate for Garry Lyon, whose private life was the subject of speculative gossip by tabloid hacks and others who should have known better. Once again, Kennett challenged the media stereotype of depression.
http://tinyurl.com/jbvtuys
http://tinyurl.com/j3lc2tv