Listen to voters, not own ideas
STATE POLITICS
I CONGRATULATE Ms Ogilvie on her stance to vote according to the wishes of the electorate, even though she says she doesn’t personally agree with the concept of mandatory sentencing. May I dare to hope she will continue to vote as the electorate wants? Especially when the right to a dignified death and voluntary euthanasia are being debated? It has been an ongoing mystery to me that most politicians vote according to their own ideas rather than listening to what the electorate at large is saying to them. I thought they were elected to represent the people, not themselves.
I do want to point out to Ms Ogilvie, however, that the Legislative Council is a house of review, there to peruse and amend (if needed) legislation passed by the Lower House. It is not primarily a legislative body, it doesn’t function to formulate laws, simply to review those proposed. I do think that, based on what we saw last week, Ms Ogilvie should declare her true allegiance. Originally standing for Labor, getting into parliament on a recount and declaring herself independent and voting with the Liberals is presenting a very confusing picture.
Jane Hall Rokeby
he hoped she would take a more reflective approach when the next item came up for debate. Those hopes were soon dashed when she again stepped up to the plate to help pass the proposed protest laws. Ms Ogilvie may as well align herself fully with the Liberal Party. In regard to reader Stan Forbes saying Madeleine is a true representative of the people and Sue Hickey is all about Sue, well give me Sue any day.
Don Boulton Howrah
in tip-top shape. On the other hand, MLC Ruth Forrest’s Talking Point identified four serious challenges facing the budget. Despite these assessments Brad Stansfield opined “there is no doubt the Government ends the year … in an election winning position’’; should his columns be read through the prism he is writing for an acknowledged client (“Hodgman sits pretty,” Talking Point, November 30)?
R.J. Walker Moonah