Save Our
Sydney Suburbs (NSW) Inc.
Post-Election
News Release 25th March 2003
SOS voice heard, but not yet loudly enough
Upper House:
The vote count for the Upper House is still going on and will not be finished
for several weeks. The position when we last looked was 13,600 votes for SOS
which unfortunately will be insufficient for us to win a seat.
The formation of the SOS political party and our participation in the election
has had an effect in a variety of ways.
1. Policies:
The SOS party contesting the election resulted in the Greens, Democrats and
Liberals repositioning to adopt portions of our policies opposing overdevelopment.
However we have to recognise that the message about overdevelopment and failure
to consult with residents has NOT got through to the Carr Government and 'urban
consolidation' will undoubtedly be forced onto communities with renewed vigour.
2. Penrith, Mulgoa, Londonderry and Mount Druitt:
Our ADI candidates advise that the NSW State election has marked a decisive
turning point in the fight to save the whole of the ADI Site as a new Regional
Park and Nature Reserve. Statements by the Minister for Planning, Andrew Refshauge
and the Premier on the eve of the election indicate a change in the Government's
previous stance and provide hope that the whole of the ADI site will be saved.
3. Canterbury and Rockdale:
Our candidates in these electorate were encouraged that on the eve of the election
Roads Minister, Carl Scully has at last admitted that Sydney’s road tunnels
need filtration technology to remove the dangerous particles that cause the
haze menacing the M5 East Tunnel users and neighbours.
SOS was the only new party contesting
the election as it has now become incredibly difficult to register a new party.
Even if a party passes the registration hurdle the playing field is by no means
level. There are many mechanisms that entrench parties already in Parliament
that are not available to new parties such as handouts and extensive free advertising
in the media.
Our Suburban Advocate paper has been incredibly well received, but our message
must be repeated over and over before the 'brand-name' SOS becomes widely recognised
in the wider electorate -- we have much work to do.
SOS will continue the battle.
Tony Recsei
President
Save Our Suburbs (SOS) NSW Inc