Prime Minister, Cowper still seeks the answers

OPINION: Change isn't made in Canberra it has always come from Australia first. So PM can you answer the questions from Cowper please.

Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during last year's election in Lismore. Picture: Contributed

OPINION: CHANGE isn't made in Canberra, it has always come from Australians first. 

This should be the 'never forget' swearing-in clause that parliamentarians sign when appointed members of the house.

So yes it begs the question what is happening at Parliament House regarding same sex marriage in 2017?

The wheels of Australian government drag all too slowly for the people it seems, so it must be time that the government finally and formally asks the people what they think.  

Ask 10 people you know of all ages and tally the results. Surely even conservative polls are now leaning to the left.

If MPs truly listen to their electorates or at least seek a majority vote, you will always know the issues and outcomes that matter most.

Perhaps this sounds like 'playschool type' political advice to seasoned politicians, but this is the type of dumbed down wisdom that's been shared with the public for far too long by members of the house.   

Understandably, the actions to address matters in policy will always be much more complicated - as is the nature of politics - but the public service of representing people starts with listening, asking questions, effecting compromise and negotiation and than delivering answers.

Local Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker asked the Cowper electorate on Facebook what are the issues he should raise with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The questions in reply I'm sure represented a microcosm of the uncertain or adverse issues that many Australians are looking to government to deliver clarification and direction on.

So what was the first question, Malcolm Turnbull was asked by the local member?

The question that politicians are not listening to the common man.

To which Mr Turnbull answered: "We are determined to ensure that we relieve the pressure on the cost of living for you."  

Great news, but it took you PM just 18-seconds in the video to refer to the Labor party in your response.

ALP MP Tony Burke shared a great post last week showing the Coalition leadership saying the word Labor 50-odd times apparently in just one hour of question time. 

Sure, the public appreciates a gracious victor, but the election was last year, so spare the mentions and the slanging matches and focus on 100% positive action. 

The public is also calling for MPs to stage more early-term community engagement events.

The odd town hall discussion, the meet the local MP events and Q and As with the ministers, plus even more of these 'ask the voters-type' social media posts, but with more encompassing answers from Cabinet.

So the voters of Cowper asked their hard hitting questions on big political issues and got very little in reply. 

In the big scheme of things these questions might not matter much to the nation or the next election vote, at this time, but the definition of great leaders are those who make time for the people.

This week, The Advocate will ask Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and his crew if they can afford time for a visit to Coffs Harbour to talk about the issues in the next 12-months.