Louise Roberts argues that the Northern Beaches rate hike, coupled with the response from politicians like Anthony Albanese and Zali Steggall, exposes the growing disconnect between citizens and their representatives. She contends that the public is tired of politicians prioritizing their own agendas over the needs of their constituents and that this discontent will likely be reflected in the upcoming Federal Election.
This isn't governance: Albanese, the Teals using the language of defeat as Northern Beaches rates uproar exposes voter fury with buck-passing bureaucrats. Zali Steggall 's pompous attempt to twist outrage about the Northern Beaches rate hike into a debate about the 'costs of climate change' perfectly explains the left's collapsing polling numbers, writes Louise Roberts. As citizens, it’s important to remember that we are the priority for Australia n politicians.
It’s a preposterous job description as we barrel towards a Federal Election. Who would have thought that our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with the well-rehearsed straight face and solemn tone, would have the audacity to tell us his government has “done all it can” to control inflation thus allowing the RBA to deliver households cost of living relief by cutting rates. And meanwhile this week, the Northern Beaches Council ignored the community that recently elected it by voting 8-7 for an unconscionable 39.6 per cent rate rise over three years - something that same community said in a survey it did not want. The cries of “sack them all” from the public gallery last Monday told us everything. They are exhausted by buck-passing politicians and bureaucrats treating them as ATMs to fund their profligate spending. The intense detail of how and why an interest rate cut works is often lost when we are at a supermarket checkout wondering how it costs $80 for four items, one of them being the cheapest beef mince. The “not my fault” style comments came amid the latest Newspoll results indicating satisfaction with Albanese fell to 44 per cent with a net negative rating of minus 20. Rate payers at Northern Beaches Council protest over proposed rate increases. Picture: Supplied. So let’s bring in the Teals, the over-hyped independents who have proven to be as useful as an umbrella in a climate change-induced cyclone. We were told the Teals had won six formerly safe Liberal seats and returned four independents including Zali Steggall in Warringah, the federal member with the smug Northern Beaches Council on her doorstep, because the candidate brand of being “fed up with” politics cut deep. Steggall’s electorate is often maligned as a bunch of superannuated silvertails but it was a majority there who had the bright idea in 2019 of dumping the highly effective incumbent and former PM Tony Abbott in favour of her climate change agenda. On Monday afternoon, local households were apoplectic at the “lost the plot” council, with their $160 million wages bill and other waste, as the vote on that 39.6 per cent hike loomed. There was also residual snarkiness at the Liberal Party for missing the deadline to put forward candidates in last September’s election. And many were asking amid the turmoil exactly where were the Teal federal members - Steggall and Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps - as the placards increased and tempers flared in the Dee Why chambers. Also key to note is that of the eight councillors who voted yes, one is a member of the Greens, six identify as independents in the same Your Northern Beaches Independent Team - aka political party - and one is a member of the Good For Manly Party. Scamps released an 11th hour statement describing the rate hike as unacceptable, referencing residents “who are deeply upset about it” but also saw it as an opportunity to smash the Coalition. Meanwhile on Monday, Steggall and her team were posting to Facebook about the need to accelerate climate action and, post meeting, issued a press release that lectured about it being “essential that state, territory and federal governments address the growing costs to local governments from escalating climate risks”. The glorified seat-fillers when we are all crying out for authentic leadership. Yes it’s a Federal Election this year but no doubt growing contempt for politicians at all tiers will seep in at the ballot box as the aroma of the democracy sausage sizzle wafts by. With inflation down, the claim that the Reserve Bank will likely cut interest rates on February 18 is being spun as a victory lap for Labor. A lone voice Cr Vincent De Luca stood up for ratepayers by offering reasonable fire sale ideas, such as underused council car parks, to raise funds. The chant of “shame, shame, shame” was clear as he told the meeting: “We shouldn’t be putting our hands in ratepayers’ pockets.” De Luca told me he has been overwhelmed by people, including calls from overseas, who are disgusted at how, instead of showing accountability, politicians are doubling down on their disregard for the very people they are supposed to serve. An empty phrase that signals you’re not up to the job
Politics Federal Election Australia Northern Beaches Rate Hike Zali Steggall Anthony Albanese Teals Public Discontent Accountability Democracy
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