Spot the Pollie - or are they MIA?

[Squawk]

So far both major parties have focussed on promoting only a handful of faces in their political campaigns.

Labor - Rann, Foley, Hill, Weatherill, J-Lo
Liberal - Redmond, Griffiths, Ridgway, Lucas (just)

Missing in Action

Labor - (Cabinet) - Holloway, Conlon (expressway announcement excepted), Atkinson, Wright, Maywald, Rankine, Caica, Gago, Koutsantonis, O'Brien

Liberal (Shadow Cabinet) - Lensink, McFetridge, MHS, Evans, Williams, Pederick, Chapman, Pisoni, Goldsworthy, Stephens, Wade, Pengilly, Venning (retiring), Dawkins.

Are the electorate voting for a leader, a leadership group, or a team? It seems both sides are emphasising a leadership team.

[wycbloods]

Good point squawk although Chapman gets her mug in the liberal party ads.

[Squawk]

Good point squawk although Chapman gets her mug in the liberal party ads.

So does Evans.

Surprising that someone like Conlon has been so low key to date though?

[Jimmy_041]

Good point squawk although Chapman gets her mug in the liberal party ads.

So does Evans.

Surprising that someone like Conlon has been so low key to date though?

Coz he's ugly, but then Foley gets a gig so maybe Im wrong

Its been all about leadership which was what Labor planned all along. Problem is that it hasn't worked out for them because of the (lack of) trust factor

[Wedgie]

I'd imagine the Labor party would have Atkinson locked up in a basement gimp style somewhere to make sure he can't open his mouth again until after election day.

[Jimmy_041]

I think he'd enj..

I cant believe how little the Liberals are using Rob Lucas. He is probably one of their best performers and has a trust component about him

[Dogwatcher]

Maywald's very busy in her own electorate, I can promise you that

[redandblack]

I think he'd enj..

I cant believe how little the Liberals are using Rob Lucas. He is probably one of their best performers and has a trust component about him

Agreed, Jimmy.

A great West Adelaide supporter, too

[Gozu]

A lady delivered a personally addressed 'letter' to me last night. Open the thing up and the headline screams "Mick Atkinson-Delivering for our area" with a picture of him hands on hips trying to smile standing in front of one of the new trams. It opens right up in to a huge glossy brochure with photos of his 'achievements'.

A picture of a car being squashed with the line "Crushing of hoons cars. More than 8000 hoon cars impounded or wheel-clamped" there's even a pic of bikies with the line "Labor stands alone against the crime gangs while other politicians run away". There's a section of the thing devoted to "Longer time in prison for repeat offenders and much reduced crime".

"To stay in touch, I doorknock, hold regular street-corner meetings and participate in talkback radio". I thought he was banned from Bob Francis' show? According to this "my prinicipal opponents in this election live in Tranmere and Magill, on the other side of town and are aged 23 and 22. They would need a global positoning device to find us". And finally just above the little ALP logo down the bottom is "Mick has held street-corner meetings in every suburb every year since 2005".

Also I've received a David Winderlich one for the Leg Co with that Save St Clair spokesperson Kirsten Alexander. On the back is a picture of Atkinson at his desk with the headline "He's threatened to sue one of you!". Further down it says "Help your neighbour:", "Demand that the Premier put a stop to Atkinson's legal action" with Mike Rann's contact details and "Demand that Michael Atkinson apologises to his constituents for taking legal action against them" followed by Atkinson's contact details. I've also got something from an Independent called Max Galanti who I've never heard of who seemingly stands for anything and everything.

[Psyber]

So far I've received nothing but Isobel's usual newsletter to residents in her seat.
Oh, and TIME magazine have found me again dammit...

[Jimmy_041]

A lady delivered a personally addressed 'letter' to me last night. Open the thing up and the headline screams "Mick Atkinson-Delivering for our area" with a picture of him hands on hips trying to smile standing in front of one of the new trams. It opens right up in to a huge glossy brochure with photos of his 'achievements'.

A picture of a car being squashed with the line "Crushing of hoons cars. More than 8000 hoon cars impounded or wheel-clamped" there's even a pic of bikies with the line "Labor stands alone against the crime gangs while other politicians run away". There's a section of the thing devoted to "Longer time in prison for repeat offenders and much reduced crime".

"To stay in touch, I doorknock, hold regular street-corner meetings and participate in talkback radio". I thought he was banned from Bob Francis' show? According to this "my prinicipal opponents in this election live in Tranmere and Magill, on the other side of town and are aged 23 and 22. They would need a global positoning device to find us". And finally just above the little ALP logo down the bottom is "Mick has held street-corner meetings in every suburb every year since 2005".

Also I've received a David Winderlich one for the Leg Co with that Save St Clair spokesperson Kirsten Alexander. On the back is a picture of Atkinson at his desk with the headline "He's threatened to sue one of you!". Further down it says "Help your neighbour:", "Demand that the Premier put a stop to Atkinson's legal action" with Mike Rann's contact details and "Demand that Michael Atkinson apologises to his constituents for taking legal action against them" followed by Atkinson's contact details. I've also got something from an Independent called Max Galanti who I've never heard of who seemingly stands for anything and everything.

I wished I lived there - sounds like its more fun than Bragg (although we do have CP)

I received an invitation to 3 corner meetings last Saturday morning with the ALP candiate; Ben Dineen and, believe it or not, Don Farrell Received it on Friday - late notice (Rick Phillips does live around the corner) and what did we do to deserve a heavyweight like Farrell? Is Dineen aligned with Farrell or do they think they can win Bragg?

Other than that - it really has been low key

[fisho mcspaz]

Haven't got much in the mail to date. I found a leaflet lying next to the letterbox saying 'Vote Kris Hanna'. At least the picture of him is true to life this time. Last year I got a letter from him and his picture had hair, so when this bald bloke came doorknocking I didn't realise who he was and thus missed my opportunity to inform him on everything I felt was wrong with the state government.

I also got mailed a similar leaflet saying 'Say No to Kris Hanna' because of his alleged piss-weak stance on crime or something like that. Didn't say who it was from. Got a letter from Alan Sibbons, the Labor candidate, but all it really tells me is that he's an important union figure and he coaches a kids' soccer team. There only seem to be four candidates in my electorate this time round.

[Squawk]

I dont have a letterbox, therefore I dont get election material

Interesting the reference to the ages of the candidates running against Atkinson. His Chief of Staff wasn't much different in age when he stood as a candidate. Also, Minister's Hill previous Chief of Staff was also about 22. He's now working for Nicola Rozon. Minister Hill's current Chief of Staff is allegedly (I haven't confirmed this) - the wife of the CE of the Department . Better leave it there, lest I let a real cat out of the bag....

[Gozu]

Just thought I'd add this. I got another personally addressed "letter" last night which turned out to be a card with a picture of a masked bikie on the front with the headline "Why outlaw bikies want Michael Atkinson & Rann out!".

Flipped it over and on the left side under a picture of a group of bikies standing together it says, "Police evidence shows that outlaw gang bikies are violent criminals who have engaed in:

-Extreme violence
-Extortion
-Drug trafficking
-Property Offences
-Rape and sexual assualt
-Theft
-Shootings, Firearms and Weapons Offences"

On the right side under the headline "Successes" it says:

-The world's toughest anti-bikie laws to disrupt serious and organised crime and to dismantle outlaw motorcycle gangs.

-Police seizure of more than $4.6 million in criminal cash and property between April 2006 and July 2009.

-New laws requiring senior gang members to explain how they acquired their wealth and if they cannot, or will not, the wealth will be forfeited.

-Supporting SA Police's establishment of the Crime Gang Taskforce, which, in it's first two years, seized 86,000 street deals of illicit drugs and arrested or reported 550 bikies and seized 162 firearms.

Then under the headline "Local Achievements":

-Removal of fortifications from bikie clubhouse at Unit 1/41 Wood Avenue, Brompton- these bikies later moved out altogether.

-Bikies stopped from building a fortress with nine-metre high concrete tilt-up walls on the corner of Chief and Second streets, Brompton. This site is now occupied by a legitimate business.

and finally on the bottom of it it says "Only MICK ATKINSON and LABOR will take up the fight against organised crime."

[CK]

So far both major parties have focussed on promoting only a handful of faces in their political campaigns.

Labor - Rann, Foley, Hill, Weatherill, J-Lo
Liberal - Redmond, Griffiths, Ridgway, Lucas (just)

Missing in Action

Labor - (Cabinet) - Holloway, Conlon (expressway announcement excepted), Atkinson, Wright, Maywald, Rankine, Caica, Gago, Koutsantonis, O'Brien

Liberal (Shadow Cabinet) - Lensink, McFetridge, MHS, Evans, Williams, Pederick, Chapman, Pisoni, Goldsworthy, Stephens, Wade, Pengilly, Venning (retiring), Dawkins.

Are the electorate voting for a leader, a leadership group, or a team? It seems both sides are emphasising a leadership team.

Keeping him away from anything that is, in any way, related to a road, car or driving, which rules out many of their policies.

Nothing as yet from John Hill, but with a 22% swing required in this seat, hardly surprising. Trisha Bird, the Liberal candidate, sent a colourful leaflet outlining why she should be voted for, but that's about it so far.

Last time, Barry Becker stood as an Independent in this seat. A name many may not recognise, until I mention "the bloke on Commercial Road with the wildly defamatory chalkboard rants". To say that his musings are astonishing is a vast understatement. Unfortunately, I can't repeat any of them here, as the site could be shut down instantly. He polled the second lowest number of votes. Amazing to thnik that 299 people wanted him as their representative in parliament.

[tipper]

Just thought I'd add this. I got another personally addressed "letter" last night which turned out to be a card with a picture of a masked bikie on the front with the headline "Why outlaw bikies want Michael Atkinson & Rann out!".

Flipped it over and on the left side under a picture of a group of bikies standing together it says, "Police evidence shows that outlaw gang bikies are violent criminals who have engaed in:

-Extreme violence
-Extortion
-Drug trafficking
-Property Offences
-Rape and sexual assualt
-Theft
-Shootings, Firearms and Weapons Offences"

On the right side under the headline "Successes" it says:

-The world's toughest anti-bikie laws to disrupt serious and organised crime and to dismantle outlaw motorcycle gangs.

-Police seizure of more than $4.6 million in criminal cash and property between April 2006 and July 2009.

-New laws requiring senior gang members to explain how they acquired their wealth and if they cannot, or will not, the wealth will be forfeited.

-Supporting SA Police's establishment of the Crime Gang Taskforce, which, in it's first two years, seized 86,000 street deals of illicit drugs and arrested or reported 550 bikies and seized 162 firearms.

Then under the headline "Local Achievements":

-Removal of fortifications from bikie clubhouse at Unit 1/41 Wood Avenue, Brompton- these bikies later moved out altogether.

-Bikies stopped from building a fortress with nine-metre high concrete tilt-up walls on the corner of Chief and Second streets, Brompton. This site is now occupied by a legitimate business.

and finally on the bottom of it it says "Only MICK ATKINSON and LABOR will take up the fight against organised crime."

And yet after a list like that atkinson is more worried about gamers. we must have done some really bad things then

[wycbloods]

So far both major parties have focussed on promoting only a handful of faces in their political campaigns.

Labor - Rann, Foley, Hill, Weatherill, J-Lo
Liberal - Redmond, Griffiths, Ridgway, Lucas (just)

Missing in Action

Labor - (Cabinet) - Holloway, Conlon (expressway announcement excepted), Atkinson, Wright, Maywald, Rankine, Caica, Gago, Koutsantonis, O'Brien

Liberal (Shadow Cabinet) - Lensink, McFetridge, MHS, Evans, Williams, Pederick, Chapman, Pisoni, Goldsworthy, Stephens, Wade, Pengilly, Venning (retiring), Dawkins.

Are the electorate voting for a leader, a leadership group, or a team? It seems both sides are emphasising a leadership team.

Keeping him away from anything that is, in any way, related to a road, car or driving, which rules out many of their policies.

Nothing as yet from John Hill, but with a 22% swing required in this seat, hardly surprising. Trisha Bird, the Liberal candidate, sent a colourful leaflet outlining why she should be voted for, but that's about it so far.

Last time, Barry Becker stood as an Independent in this seat. A name many may not recognise, until I mention "the bloke on Commercial Road with the wildly defamatory chalkboard rants". To say that his musings are astonishing is a vast understatement. Unfortunately, I can't repeat any of them here, as the site could be shut down instantly. He polled the second lowest number of votes. Amazing to thnik that 299 people wanted him as their representative in parliament.

I haven't seen that from Trisha Bird yet CK but i have seen something from Hill announcing the southern expressway duplication. I would rather Trisha Bird knock on my door than John Hill though, she looks alright in her posters .

I have noticed the clever little stick-ons on her posters saying she supports cars on the beach.

[Gozu]

More Atkinson propaganda arrived today in the form of a glossy brochure personally addressed of course (gotta love the fact he knows everyone's address yet no one is allowed to know his).

"Electrification of the existing rail-line and new tram-trains" with a couple of drawings. "Our trains will go to the same places-just add tram-trains, and services to Semaphore, Port Adelaide and West Lakes".

Inside it says "The Liberals have promised to stop *stop sign* our local rail project". Then a section called "What the Liberals are saying about our future".

"Liberal Leader Number 1-"The Liberal team has called on the Rann Government to abandon it's plans for the tram extension"-from former Liberal Leader Iain Evans' website.

Liberal Leader Number 2-"Here is some free advice for the Transport Minister: Stop, you're going the wrong way; turn around and go back!"-former Liberal Leader, Martin Hamilton-Smith-2009/10 Budget Reply.

Then next to an unflattering photo of Isobel Redmond it says "Liberal Leader Number 3-"The State Liberals will not proceed with these projects as the routes they service are already covered by bus and rail. Money saved by cancelling the proposed tram extensions will be available for other infrastructure investments including the new city stadium. Thus, a significant amount of money which Labor plans to mis-spend has been identified for more appropriate investment such as a city stadium."-current Liberal Leader Ms Isobel Redmond.

On the next page we're given a combination of some photos and drawings of these new tram-trains with "The Rann Labor Government has extended the tram along Port Road to Hindmarsh. We have pledged to electrify the Noarlunga, Outer Harbor and Gawler lines. Tram-trains will run along with electric trains through our neighbourhood."

Then below that a picture of Atkinson hand on hip holding the front of a tram while looking up at it and next to it "Rail services on our light-rail will be so frequent that we can throw away our timetable and just walk to the station in the certain knowledge that a train or tram-train will be going your way. Even if you never catch an electric train or tram-train, real-estate values will go up in our area because we will have the best public transport in metropolitan Adelaide."

On the back is a picture of the proposed lines of these new tram thingys and next to it says "Dear Resident, The electrification of our rail line and the extension of tram services through our suburbs is the best news for the West in 20 years. Only Labor will make it happen."

Finally "Don't let the Liberals derail the West! Mick Atkinson M.P. Member for Croydon".

[Gozu]

Also got a double-sided letter from the St Clair Reserve Ratepayers Association Inc. and Independent Max Galanti with his HTV card. Just thought this part from the St Clair group was interesting:

"Michael Atkinson, our local member of Parliament, enjoys a large majority in Croydon, but we think his track record lately has been appalling. Among other things he has:

-spearheaded the government campaign to take St Clair from residents who have enjoyed it for generations (and the park is not even in his electorate).

-publicly labelled grandmothers, grandfathers, mums and dads who rallied in protest against the plan as "rent-a-mob"

-by his own admission, helped a Charles Sturt councillor to get elected (or more than one?)

-threatened to sue constituents who speak out against him

-refused to consider alternatives to taking St Clair from residents

-stated publicly that "We (the government) are not wanting our light rail to be killed off by a residents group". Does he believe that the entire western suburbs light rail system is entirely dependent on the government getting it's hands on St Clair? What could be more ridiculous?"

Also "Atkinson and the Labor Party's policy is crystal clear. They, and the Charles Sturt Council are determined to take a magnificent community facility from their constituents in return for a smaller, treeless piece of former industrial land under which pollutants such as asbestos, cadmium and arsenic have been buried."