ISN’T it time that we stopped kidding ourselves about Tulip Time and its significance? It has been a great festival, over many years. But it is now being “killed” by Floriade in our Nation’s Capital.
The key issue for our community to decide is how to remake it, such as to maximize the benefits to the Highlands?
There is so much that we can do. For a start, we can aim to increase the festival atmosphere – a genuine Fair in Corbett Plaza, a multiplicity of events around the district, not just in Bowral, and not just open gardens, but music, and art, and wine – or, whatever.
We could even do more to decorate our shops and streets, etc. Some obviously try, and do well, but surely, if it is one in, then all in!
Why not scatter thousands of bulbs, daffodils and others, throughout the district, in the parks, across the commons, and so on. Make it a true garden festival, not just a tulip festival.
And we could also all make a greater effort to participate in the parade, and the other major events.
Don’t get me wrong. As a resident, I am very proud of what has been achieved with Tulip Time over the years, but we can and should do more, and importantly, change with the times, and in light of our competition.
Police vacuum
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this election campaign is the lack of real policy and real policy debate.
Sure, every day as they move rapidly from one city or town to the next across Australia, our political leaders are making so-called policy announcements, but in most cases these are little more than statements of their policy intentions, or objectives.
Very little detail is being provided and the media are not subjecting these announcements to very much scrutiny. And, as we have seen, both sides are making almost daily accusations as to the likely costs of each other’s initiatives.
As a result, the voter is left with very little, reliable information on which to make a judgment between the two major parties, and most now believe that this could all change anyway once they win government.
Another disturbing aspect of the campaign has been that, despite what they claim, we have not really seen the “real” candidates.
Campaigns, and the daily campaign events, are very tightly controlled these days, essentially attempting to minimise the risk of the candidate saying or doing something embarrassing that may influence the voters’ judgments as to whether they are up to the job of being PM.
The People’s Forum on Wednesday evening at Rooty Hill RSL was an exception, where Gillard and Abbott had to face questions from a randomly selected audience in the format of a public hall meeting of old.
It was most instructive as to how they each handled the situation. While both were clearly out of their comfort zones, Gillard chose to sit up on the stage on a stool, while Abbott made a point of standing down on the floor, just in front of the crowd. Moreover, Abbott seemed decidedly more relaxed.
The result was that Gillard came across as “the headmistress”, tending to lecture her students, while Abbott appeared much more responsive to, and in tune with, the audience.
The best you can say at this stage, with now just one week to go, is that it is still too close to call. One reason is that, although the media focus is on the leaders and their presidential-style campaigns, the election result will depend on the contest in about 30 key marginal seats, particularly in NSW and Queensland, and this time these contests may be more influenced by local and State issues than has been the case in the past.
Dr John Hewson is an economist, investment banker and former leader of the Federal Liberal Party. He can be contacted via jhewson@globaldc.biz
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