LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CONTINUED

Helen wasted $3.60 on me

Last week I received a birthday card for my 70th birthday from our Indi representative Helen Haines.

The card had a Commonwealth Government insignia on the front with a printed message made to look like a personal handwritten note from Helen wishing me a happy birthday and hoping I have a lovely day and celebrate with those closest to me (I did), on the inside of the card.

I estimate the card would cost $2, postage of $1.10, plus the gift of a fridge magnet providing her contact details costing 50 cents making a total cost of about $3.60.

I felt I was special until I mentioned it to my neighbour who also had a birthday in February and he told me he received a birthday card from Helen as well.

If Helen is sending this birthday card to the 100,956 (2019 election) voters in Indi I estimate this will cost her about $363,441 a year. That is a huge expense for Helen.

If I was cynical perhaps voters who have a birthday before the May election will get a birthday card, but if you live in the huge electorate of Indi and your birthday falls after the election then you may receive “donuts” from Helen for your birthday.

I assume Helen obtained my name, date of birth and address from the Commonwealth Government electoral rolls.

On second thoughts we provide our personal details to the Electoral Commission to satisfy the legal requirements of the Electoral Commission Act, not for use by a politician to try and make herself popular.

If Helen has obtained these details from the electoral rolls it is an infringement of personal liberties and in these times of the dangers of identity theft it is certainly not best practice.

In my case I wasn’t offended by receiving the card, but Helen has wasted her $3.60 on me as I will be voting for the Liberal candidate Ross Layman.

In my humble opinion Helen’s political views are too left wing and I am sure if she is re-elected she will support the policies of the Greens.