Damon Locantro has made a name for himself on the Sunshine Coast defending people charged with breaking the law. His practice, Locantro Lawyers, specialises in criminal defence but also offers services to those facing action by a government department. Damon has 15 years experience in criminal law and was formerly a NSW prosecutor and member of the NSW Police Service. Welcome to the "here here" election
| Damon Locantro
Politics is a fascinating world.
I was interested to read that Caroline Hutchinson is intending on standing as an independent in the looming federal election. I admire her willingness.
In the Daily today, it is reported that she toyed with the idea of joining the ALP. I think she should have. It would have given her a better shot.
Locally, Rudd’s man is Mr Main. I am told that he resides on Bribie Island and is a psychiatrist by profession. I am concerned that he intends to stand here when he is not one of us.
The ALP is really not represented here with any viable candidate and that surprises me, given that Mr Rudd is from Nambour.
I am also concerned that the ALP’s policies are not significantly different to those of the Coalition.
I agree with the Attorney-General’s comments made at a recent morning tea. He boldly titled the election the “here, here” election because when John Howard releases a policy, Mr Rudd says, “We agree with that”.
In my opinion, federal politics is not for independents.
At state level, independents are more successful at influencing policy decisions and obtaining resources for their local area.
Our federal representative will be mixing it with those from all over the country.
We have a Liberal member, Peter Slipper, who I believe has done a great job in representing us over the last term.
Being represented by a senior member of the Liberal Party also gives our seat some clout and a direct link to the Prime Minister.
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Recent Comments
You've got to be kidding!
I suspect you are fairly close to the encumbent; you might just be the only person I've ever met who thinks we have been well represented in Canberra this past term.
Mr Slipper is probably a very nice bloke, but he has had it too good for too long and he takes this electorate for granted. He is invisible for three years, before being wheeled out pre-election time. It makes me furious!!! We deserve better.
You might think Independents do not do well in Federal Politics.
I think the constituents of Bob Katter, Tony Windsor and Peter Andren would all beg to differ.
Let me tell you what I do well. I am a journalist with 20 years experience.
I can grasp issues quicker than most people and am as tenacious as a bull terrier. I have been accessible to the people of Fisher for more than 10 years and have acted as an advocate for hundreds in that time.
I don't care who wins the next election, I think we are blessed with good government in Australia.
However, when someone comes to me to get a job done, I will continue to do what I've always done, find them an answer; help solve a problem,very quickly.
I am standing as an independent - so you're right, I won't be heading to Canberra to re-write the health budgetor sign the Kyoto Protocol - but I will be the first person in Canberra for a LONG TIME, prepared to fight tooth and nail for Fisher.
I might not win - that's democracy! But at least, this time, the people of Fisher will get a real choice.
I respect your view on things, and I also repeat my admiration for you running. I echo the comments of Mr Slipper who showed great maturity in welcoming you to the campaign.
I am surprised but equally concerned that you have said that you do not care who wins the next election. I think we should all care, particularly someone who wants to be elected by us.
I respect independents but repeat my comments. I think you must agree given your comment that you will not be writing the health budget or signing the Kyoto Protocol. Your website highlights my concerns. You say that you are not pushing a political ideology. In my opinion, a politician needs an ideology. It is that ideology that leads the country. The political ideology is demonstrated through policy and your website does not contain any information in that regard. Do you provide a real choice for voters if you have no ideology and no policies?
I am not being personally critical of you at all. I know what it is like to stick your neck and have others disagree with you, like Parliament really. I am merely expressing my political view. I suggested that you would have a better shot if you were our Labor candidate. In saying that, I respect you for not doing that if it was not right for you. I wish you all the best for the election.
Damon
Not supporting a political ideology is a promise to the electorate that I will never follow a party line; I will never sit quietly and allow the people of Fisher to be ignored.
Mr Howard is busy 'spending his way out of trouble' (Peter Costello's words, not mine) in marginal seats; and yet again, we are not seeing a cent of it.
The ALP is just as bad (I'm pretty sure they only build dams in electorates where they think they have nothing to lose).
The Feds are not picking up their fair share of the tab for the 'sea change' population shift - and that means the burden will be carried by the poor old ratepayer (roads, water, sewage, infrastructure).
In the meantime, the state has flogged our water!!!
I don't care who wins the next election and I'm not ashamed to say it. The voters of Australia will make that decision and when they do, I will happily work with the government of the day to get a better deal for Fisher.
At the moment, nobody is fighting for us Damon and that's what I am determined to change.
PS - thanks for the reply by the way - I might be annoying, but you've got to admit, I'm pretty hard to ignore!
We have received things in Fisher. Off the top of my head, the Government have made significant changes to the family law and opened a family relationship centre in Maroochydore. The government recently announced hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to our local seafood export industry. The government made changes to superannuation that has benefited locals. The government have recently given us tax cuts that benefit locals. Everything the government does for the good of the country we get the benefit of.
You only need to listen to ABC radio to hear of what we do receive. The issues are also debated on ABC radio. I don't think commercial radio spends enough time on these issues so a large number of people would not be aware.
I agree with the issues you raise about roads, water, sewage and infrastructure but they are all state government issues.
Gympie is an example of what can happen when you are represented by an independent. The State Labour Party made the decision to put the dam and did not listen to the local community, no doubt largely because there was an independent member.
On a Federal level, if the Government needed to choose where to put a uranium power plant an independently held seat might look like a good spot!.
PS - Thanks for taking the time to debate - I trust I am just as annoying and as hard to ignore.
Oh my goodness Damon... has John Howard worked out your password and is now blogging in your name!?
That statement summarises the way the PM has used fear tactics for years to ensure he is re-elected - it's old hat!
Jeff "no-longer-living-in-fear" Watson.
Please Mr Locantro tell us a little about yourself.
How long have you been on the Sunshine Coast?
Where did you study Law?
Have you ever worked on any election campaigns? If so who for & what party?
To say Peter Slipper has done a lot for this area probably gives away your Politics.
I know Liberal Party members who even admit Mr Slipper's failings.
Surely you must remember the reports of this Federal pollie being removed from a Commercial Airline for a few too many “red wines”? Ending up in the gutter at around 3am on Budget night outside a Canberra Bar? Being trapped after “Christmas drinks” in a disabled toilet?
Your column should be paid for by the Liberal Party. (Or maybe the National Party remembering that Mr Slipper was once a National MP!
Andrew Muldoon,
Buddina.
Please Mr Locantro tell us a little about yourself.
How long have you been on the Sunshine Coast?
Is mr Slippers vision of the coast thru the bottom of a wine glass ?
So if i dont vote liberal i get a nuke reactor in my backyard ?
Perhaps you should have a reality check, your readers are a little smarter than you.
You have asked me a couple of questions.
I am originally from Sydney until 1998, where I was a Police Officer and a Prosecutor. While there I studied a degree in business and commenced my Law degree at Sydney University. I moved to the Gold Coast and completed my degree at Bond University. I came to the Sunshine Coast four years ago. I have been a resident of Fisher for that length of time. I have been operating my firm for about 4 years. In that time I have presented about 900 people and given advice to many more.
I am not a member of any political party. I have not worked on any election campaigns. I tell things how I see them. I am not paid by anyone to write my opinion and I have no specific agenda.
I have always had a very keen interest in Politics. I read the local paper & the financial review everyday. I am also enrolled in a Masters of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy. I hope to finish this degree in about two years.
I reside in Buderim with my wife and we are expecting our third child. My wife has had a business on the coast for 18 years until the birth of our last child.
I am grateful for the things that we do get. I stay on top of the things we get from our government. I think sometimes it is easy to be critical of people such as Mr Slipper but I would not question his motives in doing the best he can for the coast.
I do not think anyone needs any qualification to have an opinion on politics. I respect the views that both of you hold.
Damon