Independent for Mayo
Di set out across the electorate yesterday in the eye-catching bright yellow Murray-the-turtle ute. She visited Milang, Strathalbyn and then ducked (turtled?) into Flinders University to present a seminar for tertiary writing students.
Di then visited the Aberfoyle Park Hub community centre to meet the electors and listen to their concerns. An issue at the Hub is the recent closure of the Post Office. Continue reading ‘August 21: Out and About’
A fine calm morning greeted Di and her supporters at the Milang Wharf. The area was a cascade of colour with the aqua T-shirts and yellow colours of the campaign. Media, media everywhere, setting up equipment and interviewing locals about the river and lakes. Continue reading ‘August 20: Campaign Launch’
Milang. August 20, 2008, 11.00am
Thank you Rupelli George Trevorrow for your welcome to your ruwi. You have been telling us for as long as I can remember what poor stewards we have been.
Thank you Senator Nick Xenophon for your warm words.
Thank you to my kitchen cabinet for their wisdom and hard work.
Thank you all for coming.
Milang is where we initiated the River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group on the 4th of January 2007. There was water under this jetty then. Continue reading ‘August 20: Di Bell Campaign Launch Speech’
What follows is John Schumann’s speech of support as read out at Di Bell’s Campaign Launch:
I’m sorry I can’t be with you all today to lend my support to Professor Diane Bell’s run for the seat of Mayo. Some of you will remember that in 1998 I ran for Mayo and took my dear friend Alexander to postals in a seat that he held then by a margin of about 16%. We were able to achieve that result in three weeks with a budget of $16,000. All this was done in the face of Alexander’s well known arrogance. Continue reading ‘August 20: John Schumann Support Speech’
Di travelled to Kangaroo Island on the Sealink Ferry on Monday night with two supporters. She met local people to listen to their issues at Penneshaw on Monday night, and then at Kingscote on Tuesday. Many issues were presented, and locals acknowledged that there was more than one passionate side to several of these.
The cost of the ferry service.
Should it be reduced to allow more visitors to increase tourism on the Island, or should it be kept at its current premium rate to preserve the quality of life that the people who had chosen Kangaroo island as their home wished to retain? Continue reading ‘August 18-19: Kangaroo Island’
Saturday 16 August
Di met the local football enthusiasts at Yankalilla oval where the local tigers were battling neighbouring Victor Harbor Souths. A tight close game until Di arrived after half time, when the Tigers surged ahead. Local supporters kept an eye on the game while talking to Di. The expressed their emphatic dissatisfaction about a local federal MP deserting a seat ten months after an election.
A strong theme which emerged while listening to the locals around the oval was the vehemence of the passion about the state of Murray and the lakes. Continue reading ‘Di Bell Out and About in Mayo’
The media is suggesting a strong independent candidate could change the electoral landscape of Mayo.
Out on the campaign trail Di Bell is hearing from electors that they are deeply concerned about the state of the River Murray and Lower Lakes. They want action and they are tired of the spin from established parties. They want an independent audit of all water in the Murray-Darling system and ask why they are getting mixed messages and little action.
Di Bell states fresh water is need now to save the Lakes, all that is needed is the political will to act. Also states Murray-Darling Basin be managed as a whole system. Current IGA inadequate to address over-allocation.
Murray Warning Bells Ignored: A 2006 report warning urgent intervention was needed to save the mouth of the Murray River and the Coorong wetlands from ‘irreversible’ damage was ignored, one of its authors says.”
Anthropologist and author Diane Bell throws hat into Mayo ring The Australian - Sydney, Australia .
“The prominent anthropologist and author Diane Bell will seek to wrest the South Australian electorate of Mayo from the Liberal Party at next month’s by-election forced by the resignation of former foreign minister.”
