One of the more interesting things about this week’s first full debate of candidates for the seat of Ballarat is that with some marginal exceptions, when it came to the big issues there was a remarkable degree of conformity among the candidates.
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Contrary to the oft vaunted “battle of ideas” or other advertisements for stark points of difference in electoral choice, when it came to key areas like Ballarat’s economy and the youth unemployment there was (despite some difference in means) a remarkable harmony in objective.
It was noted that in an age of popular cynicism we often forget the genuine public service candidates wish to bring to the office. This principle could roughly be framed as doing what is best for Ballarat.
Ironic then that it is the pursuit of populism, the myopia of three year election cycles and the fickle duplicity of party lines that so fosters the same cynical appraisal of our elected leaders. How is it a unanimous and generous call to do what is best for Ballarat once embroiled in the mire of politics becomes dissipated by peevish contrariness and partisan gamesmanship.
In an opinion piece in The Courier this week, former Premier John Brumby, himself no stranger to the vagaries of politics, argued in favour of changes that might make a difference to the capacity to convert these good intentions into action particulalrly for the critical long term problems.
He thinks politically poisonous decisions which have enormous implications for the future of the country including, renewable energy, negative gearing and road pricing result in a parliament divided on party lines that simply does nothing.
He also advocates for a national conversation today: “one with no predetermined outcome, where everything is on the table. The results and policy prescriptions of such a summit could claim a strong mandate”
In this as in many elections there is the unnerving feeling that marginal seats are garnering all the largesse. Larger populations and political focus of capital city seats mean regional cities like Ballarat are left in the shade. John Brumby once acted as a strident champion for funding to regional cities, if not for political expediency, then because he had known life in one as a Federal MP. His may be wishful dream for peace from someone who has left the battlefield but when it appears so many are fighting for the same cause, the value of compromise is worth considering.
