Qld One Nation 'not going anywhere' says Dickson

Pauline Hanson has been caught on the hop by the announcement of the Queensland election on November 25.

Fran Kelly - talking with morning
with One Nation's Steve Dickson.

She's currently in India with a parliamentary delegation and will miss the first week of campaigning.

But her presence still looms large — with One Nation set to field candidates in 60 of the state's 93 seats meaning the minor party is in with a chance of holding the balance of power.

LNP Opposition leader Tim Nichols has ruled out any deals — but former premier Campbell Newman predicts the Liberal National Party won't be able to form government without One Nation's support.

Listen to the RN Breakfast interview - “Qld One Nation 'not going anywhere' says Dickson.”

(Obviously, a few brumbies are loose in the top paddock - One Nation’s Steve Dickson said this morning on radio that is his party’s intention to build a new coal-fired power plant in northern Queensland. Such an idea contradicts overwhelming evidence that coal, being a prime fossil fuel, is the cornerstone of human behaviour that is worsening climate change and putting at risk most everything that is good about life. Dickson and his One Nation counterparts should be avoided and not allowed, under any circumstances, anywhere near the levers of power - Robert McLean)

Candidates to gather Beneath the Wisteria on October 25

Candidates for the seat of Shepparton in next month’s State Election will outline their response to climate change Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday, October 25.

Three of the four candidates will each have about 10 minutes to talk about their response to this evolving community challenge.

Joining the 11:00am gathering at the northern end of Shepparton’s Maude St Mall will be the independent candidate, Fern Summer, Labor’s Rod Higgins and the National Party candidate, Greg Barr. Country Alliance candidate, Michael Burke, had apologized.

The free gathering lasts for about an hour and each candidate will be given ample opportunity to talk about their response to climate change.

Those who join the gathering will also have a wonderful opportunity to ask specific questions of any of the trio of candidates, or direct it at all three.

Some public seating is provided, but those attending are encouraged to bring a folding chair.

People with any questions about tomorrow’s gathering in the mall, should phone Robert McLean on 0400 502 199.

Record gathering Beneath the Wisteria

Today’s Beneath the Wisteria was a record.



Climate change sets
records and Beneath
the Wisteria sets
new highs.

The records, although there are none save my rather suspect memory, suggest we had more people than ever before gather Beneath the Wisteria to consider our response to climate change.

We had 27 people join us this morning, although the numbers were boosted by having five candidates from the forthcoming September 7 election and discuss their ideals and values, particularly as it applies to addressing climate change.

Before today our previous highest number of attendees was 23, but today it was difficult to keep track for the some arrived late and others left early.

Among the candidates who joined us were:  Rod Higgins (Australian Labor Party), Ian Cristoe (Australian Greens, representing Damien Stevens), Fern Summer (Bullet Train for Australia), Catriona Thoolen (Palmer United Party), and Sharman Stone (the sitting Member for Murray of the Liberal Party).

Supporter, John Pettigrew, was the master of ceremonies (a rather grand title for a somewhat humble and informal group), allowed each candidate a few minutes to state their case, followed by questions from the assembled group.

A morning of robust discussion that maybe did not make it clear who should attract a vote, but the opposite (who you wouldn’t vote for) appeared in clear relief.

Shepparton Community Fund CEO, Lisa McKenzie, has invited Beneath the Wisteria and the Slap Tomorrow committee to be involved in the October 19 and 20 “Show Me Greater Shepparton” expo.

Lisa suggested we could have a stand for one, either or both of the organizations, that someone from either of the groups could speak for 15 minutes on either or both days and that a Beneath the Wisteria  session could possibly be staged at the expo.

Comments about the suggestion are welcome, and encouraged.

Candidates invited to join discussion Beneath the Wisteria

Murray seat candidates for the September 7 federal election are being invited to join discussions at Shepparton’s Beneath the Wisteria.

The candidates are being invited to join those who gather Beneath the Wisteria and discuss their view about climate change mitigation.

Along with the candidates, the public are also invited to join the discussion and talk about how individuals and the community should respond to the dilemma emerging from our damaged climate.

The next gathering Beneath the Wisteria in Shepparton’s Maude St Mall will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, August 31. There is no cost and those attending should bring their own folding chair.

People eager to know more about the August gathering Beneath the Wisteria should contact organizer, John Pettigrew, at (03) 5826 9557.

A trio of Shepparton council candidates join us for a chat Beneath the Wisteria

City of Greater Shepparton
 Council candidate, Ian
Christoe (centre), talks
about his hopes.

An impressive number of 26 people have nominated for next month’s City of Greater Shepparton Council elections next month, but just three of those choose to join us Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday (September 29).

They were present councillor, Jenny Houlihan, and two who have nominated for the Saturday, October 27, elections, Ian Christoe and Menon Parameswaran.

It would be grossly unfair to say anything derogatory about the remaining 23, for the invitation was made only the previous day in the Shepparton News and was general, rather than specific.

Present councillor with the
 Greater City Shepparton
Council, Jenny Houlihan
 (centre), talks about what
the council has done and
what is planned.

Although there was no expectation that any of candidates would deliver any sort of presentation, each was given an opportunity to say something about any council with which they were involved would respond to the challenges our community faces as a result of our changing climate.

Nearly 20 people gathered Beneath the Wisteria for Saturday’s intellectually engaging conversation.

Views and opinions quickly sashayed around the group, and depending upon the personal prism through which the discussion was viewed, it became obvious as discussion evolved that the responsibility to address climate change rested with the people of the city, or in this instance those who gather Beneath the Wisteria.

First we have to do what we can to ensure the appropriate people are elected to the council and then engage with those elected to see that they pursue policies that will prepare our city for the unquestioned challenges ahead.