Newcastle: the good, the bad, and the ICAC

On 25 October, the residents of Newcastle are returning to the polling booths to elect a new State Member for Newcastle.

The city of Newcastle is embroiled in the present NSW ICAC corruption hearing associated with candidates illegally accepting political donations, including lying under oath at the Commission hearing.

The fallout to date has witnessed Liberal State parliamentarians within the Newcastle region, and the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, resign their positions.

Despite Newcastle's version of political Armageddon, and the likelihood of further political repercussions, the city must dust itself off, rebuild its tarnished reputation, and plan for a more prosperous Newcastle.

For Newcastle to move forward, to unleash its untapped potential and prosper, it needs the right type of elected representative to guide and lead it out of the political and economic wilderness.

Shortly after the Liberal Party's Tim Owen's historic and Keatingesque"sweetest victory of all" at the 2011 State election in the seat of Newcastle, I wrote in the local newspaper Newcastle Herald, the win will go down as when Newcastle came of age.

Novocastrians finally stood up and announced to political parties of all persuasions that no longer will they be taken for granted.

At the time, I stated political parties, as well as independents, must now understand Newcastle's needs, earn every vote, represent, and deliver on voters' needs.

For Newcastle's sake, the hope was for Owen to succeed. This was particularly the case following Labor's destructive factional infighting and lack of progress of Newcastle under State Labor stewardship over many years.

Otherwise, in 2015, as I prophetically expressed in the Herald in 2011, and I quote:"his sweetest victory will resonate in hollowness and leave a sour taste in the mouths of Novocastrians."

Unquestionably, Novocastrians have been metaphorically kicked in the guts. Newcastle's distrust and disdain of politicians across the political spectrum is again at a low point.

So how can the people of Newcastle find hope in the midst of its political despair? Who can lead Newcastle out of its political and economic wilderness?

To look to the future, I take a leaf from the past.

On 20 January 1961, in President John F Kennedy's inauguration address to the nation, he iconically called on his fellow citizens to dedicate themselves to service and sacrifice. Kennedy stated:

... ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

Fifty-three years on, Kennedy's stirring words still inspire.

On polling day, Newcastle must choose the candidate who first most serves all citizens of its diverse community, and genuinely empowers the community to actively participate in the decision making processes on issues which impact them.

The next elected representative cannot solely pander to selective powerful self-interest groups, including property developers, whose general overriding goal is personal gain, and neglect community engagement and prosperity at large.

As Newcastle's elected representative, if aligned to a political party, are they willing to fight tooth and nail for the people of Newcastle, even if that means defying their party? Newcastle cannot afford a "Yes-man" who is afraid to challenge political powerbrokers. It will be at Newcastle's cost!

Is the aspiring candidate expecting to be a career politician whose main focus is surviving beyond the next election cycle? Newcastle has been witness to too many career politicians who have failed to deliver real change and prosperity in its city.

Newcastle's next State Member of Parliament must uphold the non-negotiable principles of our laws and democratic system. They must respect our laws, have integrity, and be accountable and transparent. Novocastrians cannot afford history to repeat itself, and again be witness to allegations of corruption at ICAC against their elected representative.

As a standing candidate, what values do they stand for? Values provide a solid foundation to achieve better principled outcomes in one's personal, family, working lives, and in developing policy positions. This will help voters better understand what fundamentally drives the candidate, what type of society they believe in, and how they propose to contribute to and unite the community.

The electorate will also need to understand policy positions on key issues. It reveals whether candidates have been listening to constituents' ideas and concerns.

On the economic front, how do they propose to prosper the region's economy? How and will they ensure the region receives a greater proportion of revenue generated by its local economy? How does the candidate propose to support and grow business enterprises and employment across all age groups and sectors of the local economy?

We live in an increasingly competitive world. If elected, how will the Member assist in making the Newcastle region more globally competitive? What ideas do they have in encouraging greater investment in research and development, ensuring that the health, education, manufacturing and mining industries are innovative and maintain their relevancy in the international economy?

In relation to the most contentious issue in the city, what is their position on the heavy rail line? Is it to maintain the line to Newcastle or cut it at Wickham? Do they believe the rail line should be cut before a viable alternative integrated transport solution is implemented? Is the urban renewal strategy predicated on cutting the line, which seems nonsensical and politically motivated?

In light of the findings at ICAC, does the prospective Member support a moratorium on the Newcastle Urban Renewal Strategy and truncation of the rail line until such time as an investigation into the Government's decision-making processes to ensure the outcome was not unduly influenced by developers?

If their position is to maintain the rail line and which results in business investment being withdrawn for CBD development, what is the contingency?

And with cost of living pressures on household budgets ever increasing, how does the candidate propose to minimise price rises, particularly in electricity, gas, and water, for the residents of Newcastle?

On the cultural front, are they committed to securing funding for the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery and strive to make the region a vibrant cultural hub? And with Newcastle recognised in the Lonely Planet's 2011 Travel guide, and the 2012 beneficiary of the International Festivals and Events Association's Festival City award, how do they plan to leverage this success and further promote tourism in the region?

On the environment, how will the candidate commit to protecting and sustaining our environment? How will they ensure the region adapts to the economic, social and ecological consequences of climate change, and balance immediate needs with nurturing our environment and natural resources for future generations?

On community and inclusiveness, how will they ensure the more vulnerable members of our community, be it the elderly and frail, those with a disability, or the unemployed are active participants in our community, are not disadvantaged, and not left further behind?

What are their position on same sex marriage, and the right to die for the terminally ill? And what of their position regarding the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program? Do they support the program or support removing the requirement for a religious affiliation, and restructure the program in a secular format with the need of relevant tertiary qualifications?

Will the impending Member support or reject pieces of legislation based on personal beliefs or on what the majority of their constituents support or believe?

Resilience seems to be synonymous with Novocastrians. Despite earthquakes, floods, the shut down of major industries, and political corruption as revealed by ICAC, the people of Newcastle have demonstrated their strength and tenacity in the face of these challenges. Novocastrians have an undying spirit and won't give up on issues and its people without a fight.

What is needed from Newcastle's next elected State parliamentarian is the same fighting spirit, to lead from the front, to fully engage and fight for the people of Newcastle, and leave no stone unturned for the betterment of the community.

That fighting spirit appears a trait currently lacking in the Liberal Party, who have abandoned their constituents and the people of Newcastle by not running a candidate at the upcoming by-election. It shows a total disrespect and disregard to the people of Newcastle. It seems the Liberal Party prefers to save face rather than have the stomach to face the voters of Newcastle.

The bar of expectations is set at a new high. The scrutiny on the next Member of Newcastle will be unparalleled. Every statement, every decision, every dithering will be magnified more so by an educated and knowledgeable public.

I leave aspiring candidates with a quote from Luke 12:48:"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."