Frances Bedford: Good candidates sidelined and risk-free policies over debate and political courage
MP Frances Bedford is now an independent, ‘not because I wanted to leave Labor but because Labor chose to leave me’. She says things have gone awry in politics and need urgent attention to function again.
MEETING then Labor premier Don Dunstan and northern suburbs identity Molly Byrne at a very new Tea Tree Plaza many years ago had a profound effect on me but it was the dismissal of Gough Whitlam over 40 years ago that really got me into politics.
Two decades on, this activist “kindy mum” has been lucky enough to have been chosen by the people of Florey as their Labor Party representative in State Parliament for five elections in a row.
Now I am an independent. Not because I wanted to leave Labor but because Labor chose to leave me.
Is age really a factor in the days when 60 is the new 40?
Truth is, even stalwarts like Don and Molly wouldn’t get a look in under Labor’s current factional system!
Things have gone awry and need some urgent attention to start functioning again.
I’ve always worked hard for my community – even before I was elected in 1997 – and I have never been a “yes” person. I was not in a faction for quite some time before parting company with the Labor Party. In my view, factions and personal ambition should never come before good public policy and standing up for what is right.
The moment the recently contested Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission redistribution made Florey “safe” enough to squeeze me out at last, Labor powerbrokers were on their phones intent on making room for one of their men in the electorate next door.
These imaginary lines on a map were enough to eclipse hard work, loyalty, commitment and experience – the very qualities people say they want in their local MPs. No wonder people are disillusioned with politics! Across all parties, we have the seen the rise of the campaign marketing cycle and “small-target” strategy.
The result is the sidelining of good candidates, managed soundbites and the triumph of risk-free policies over debate and political courage. Contesting the policy debate should be part of a healthy democracy. And it should happen every day, not once every four years.
Out in the suburbs and sub branches, issues are being discussed and people want a say.
This sort of grassroots participation is now derided in a trickle-down world.
The narrower the political gene pool gets, the less likely we will be represented by MPs who are unafraid to ask difficult questions, champion new ideas and take risks in fighting for what they believe.
That’s why, as an independent, I will be fighting to protect our local hospital, Modbury Hospital. I will continue to defendit against privatisation, from needless cost-cutting. I will continue to promote the introduction of universal ambulance cover for all South Australians. This is an idea that is overdue, easy to deliver and will make health reform actually work for patients. I will fight to make sure local businesses and locally made products get a fair go.
We don’t need family-run supermarkets, newsagents and hotels being crowded out, or local growers being exploited by the big chains.
Raising children as a single parent, and now “Franma” to four grandchildren, and helping to support a frail parent, I’ve lived the same sort of life as almost every family I’m privileged to represent.
And when I’m out and about visiting community groups, churches and sporting clubs across Adelaide’s north-east, what I hear is every day common sense as families go about tackling the issues in their daily lives.
It may not match the robo-call campaigns and poll-driven demographic profile databases self-declared experts come up with from back-offices but it’s the kind of common sense we need. Not the political musical chairs we have seen of late.
I’d be ashamed of myself if I lacked the gumption to stand my ground and stand up to such graceless self-serving behaviour. Every South Australian can make a difference to our state’s future and the people of Florey will choose their MP, not faceless numbers men.
Cut from the team, not for poor form but for free thinking, I’ll keep standing up for the good old fashioned progressive values I’ve always supported.
Frances Bedford is the independent MP for Florey