Let’s Be Clear!

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to share my thoughts with you through the Partnership with Purpose blogs as we move towards the Federal Election.

Dianah has already provided an impressive body of work that shows her vast understanding and care for the issues affecting South Australia and the Nation.

However for all the positive energy that has been surrounding us so far there is still confusion concerning my previous experiences and their relationship to this new partnership.

In reading our Bio’s you would understand that I have represented the Australian Labor Party on multiple occasions.  Since I was very young the values and ideals of the Labor Party were very closely aligned to my own.  I was happy to commit myself to not only being a Candidate for Election but also a Sub Branch President for a number of years along with an Election Day helper for many more.

After many years of involvement it has become very clear that the Party that I grew up with and have shared the same ideals has become very ‘city centric’.  The internal workings and positioning within the Party has become far more important than good policy particularly for those who live in the Regions where much of the State’s wealth, mineral and agricultural, is produced. 

I had made a decision recently to stand back from the Party and from politics but when Dianah approached me it renewed my enthusiasm to serve. 

Dianah has a very clear vision about how she wants to help her fellow South Australians. 

She has some very positive ideas which she shared with me some months ago.  She was keen for me to firstly assist her with her campaign but then when it became clear that the only way to achieve the best result was to run above the line on the Senate ballot paper she asked me to be her running mate.  On both occasions I, without hesitation, said yes.

But Let’s Be Very Clear!

Dianah has always wanted to run as an independent.

This partnership with a purpose is solely focussed on meeting the needs of South Australians both metropolitan and rural, not of political parties.  Dianah therefore asked that if I assisted her in reaching the goal of representation at the National level she would require me to resign my membership of the Australian Labor Party. 

People like Dianah are the future of good representation in the National Parliament and I was happy to therefore resign my membership of the party. 

Those links have been severed and although there has been speculation that they continue, please be assured that there are absolutely NONE.

Our partnership is one that is truly purposeful – we aim to connect directly to South Australians, to listen intently and if elected represent you for the good of all South Australians.

JR