The gap between Budget Week 2019 and upcoming estimates offered opportunity to grab a
moment with loved ones, and take time to look at what is transpiring, what is inspiring, and what is
‘aspiring’ at the ‘mid-year’ mark.
Putting together estimate questions may not sound that inspiring, however from a location that has
recovered from the horrors of the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami, and an aftermath including deep
economic, social and environmental wounds, it is. People smile and are grateful for the smallest of
offerings and kind words here, however you can feel their loss, sorrow and sadness buried deep.
Surprisingly, they have not held onto bitterness, hatred or seek retribution for what happened that
day. They tell me they have moved on and will not be defined by the tragedy, which could be
classified as an extreme weather event, attributable to climate change, the Lords wrath, an
incompetent Government/Department, or a number of other ‘blames’?
Instead their healing comes from not labelling the ‘who, what and why’, nor seeking an apology or
defining the reason. It comes from acceptance….this time of Mother Nature, on one side
insurmountably beautiful and grounding, on the other a force with angry outbursts and tendency to
violence. Resilience, belief and the concentration on repairing and rebuilding has been key. We
could learn much from this.
In the ‘transpiring’ realm, after previously seeing great improvements in behaviour on Facebook,
there has been a decline with a number of posts attacking our local Council, Councillors, not for
profit organisations and individuals, often without their being made aware by a lack of ‘tagging’. The
reason? They don’t want a response, question answered or a discussion, they want to spread
misinformation and hurt. A plethora of offerings and accusations has prevailed, and from comments
in response sadly some Facebookers are subscribing to this form of bullying and abuse – which is
what it is. Remember, if it looks like, sounds like and smells like ‘bait’, on Facebook or in newspaper
headlines, it often is.
There are processes for legitimate complaints and concerns, and to denigrate people, organisations
or businesses in a public manner, often without their knowledge, is not acceptable. Readers please
alert your friends that to ‘like’ or agree to these offerings is supporting bullying and encourages
outrage instead of discussion to resolve. Help create the future we are fighting for by clearly
articulating and using processes to deal with any wrong doings, and ask any potential candidates
(yes there is a local government election around the corner), to state their offer and how they will
do it, without resorting to dragging down the opposition.
Even though as a State MP I am to stay out of Council business – I have made it clear in every
election that I am determined to see an end to the disgraceful behaviour and bullying in our
communities and at all levels of government – not only during campaigns, but also in Parliament and
on the streets. Yes, that is the ‘aspirational’ part of the ‘inspire and transpire’ equation. So please
give anyone you know who has been involved in these shenanigans the heads up- and a few
hashtags? #enoughisenough #nomore
In summary – ‘click bait’ on social media creating conundrum chews into valuable resources without
any results, and can be ‘smoke and mirrors’ with political and other agendas. We need to spend our
time tackling our real issues, and we have plenty of those – health, violence, homelessness and jobs
to name but a few.
As I said in my Budget Reply speech – it is time to stop ‘politicking’, forget about getting elected or
re-elected, and just put the wellbeing of our communities and their future first.
And for anyone who is serious about helping out, as an Ambassador for the Vinnie’s Corporate &
Community Sleepout, I welcome you to join me with your swag on Aug 8, or if not, donate any small
amount via www.communitysleepout.org.au you will find me in the Sunshine Coast section.
Yes it will be chilly, but the soup hot, and the discussion very important.
Until next time, Sandy
