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Rain min 12° - max 23° Pat Rafter backs "Big Bob'
6:47a.m. 28th February 2008
Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter last night threw his support behind Bob Abbot for Mayor. Picture: Geoff Potter
One is a former world number-one tennis player – a passionate Sunshine Coast local who looks good in a Chesty Bonds singlet.
The other is an out-of-town accountant turned politician who does not have quite the sex appeal of Pat Rafter.
Last night in Noosa, two-time Grand Slam winner “our Pat” rallied for Sunshine Coast regional council mayoral candidate Bob Abbot, while maverick Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce was in Buderim tub-thumping for Joe Natoli.
With the Sunshine Coast Daily’s polling showing a huge lead to Mr Abbot, it seems he is holding all the aces.
Pat Rafter may not be smashing forehand winners down the line any more, but last night he was playing to win.
He declared that he would back Sunshine Coast regional council mayoral candidate Bob Abbot.
“At the end of the day I play tennis – I don’t know much about politics. But come March 15th, I’ll be voting for Bob and putting my weight behind Bob,” the two-time US Open winner said, lobbing a hard return for rival candidate Joe Natoli.
The election fundraising dinner guests for Mr Abbot – at berardo’s restaurant in Hastings Street – hung on every word of the Noosa local, who was raised in Eumundi.
Pat said Noosa had always had a special place in his heart, even when his dad was making him run the beach and swim out to the buoys before school as part of his tennis training.
“I like what Bob’s done to Noosa and I really, honestly believe that Bob can make just as big an impact on the whole of the Sunshine Coast – so Bob, good luck,” he said.
Pat gave his endorsement in front of a crowd that included Pat’s wife, Lara, key Noosa anti-amalgamation supporters such as Bob Ansett, and former Maroochy mayor Alison Grosse, a Bob Abbot supporter.
Pat admitted he had never taken a political stand before the Noosa amalgamation issue.
“At the end of the day there is nothing we can do – we’ve got to go on for now and we’ve got to try and get the best out of this merger.”
Pat said he did not mind progress coming to the Sunshine Coast.
“Life is about progress, but it is about how we manage progress,” he said.
Will a celebrity endorsement affect the way you vote? Post a comment to let us know your views.
For our election coverage and candidates nominating for council, visit our election '08 page.
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Recent Comments
God I hope people realise there is whole lot more to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council than just Noosa. The new SCRC is going to be more then 3000 sq kilometres and encompass an area many time bigger than Noosa.
It looks like Bob is the favourite and will be our leader so I hope he can step up to the plate.
Having said that, I thought Pat's comments were just the same as he played the game of tennis, honest and from the heart.
I was more interested in the people attending Bob's fund raiser, Mr Ansett! Here is a guy with no other agenda than to destroy the SCRC and yet there he is at a fund raising event for a candidate. Mmmmm.
How much would you be squealing unfair when Joe takes over unopposed? The best thing you could do is convince as many people as you can to vote for Bob if you are confident he will retain the feel of the Noosa area.
The state government has clearly stated it will not change it's mind on this issue; if the opposition could pull themselves together they would have a credible chance at winning power at the next state elections. I am sure there are a lot of disgruntled Queenslanders due to the current state government over a whole host of issues, the problem is the opposition are so hell bent on infighting they have lost the plot about providing viable solutions that benefit the wider community, there is such a thing as credible compromise.
Amalgamations are a great idea, many councils are happy to comply as it will strengthen the broader community. This is where the state govt got it wrong in dictating the number & who will be amalgamating. A sensible approach would have been to set targets & allow strong councils eg. Noosa to stand alone & see how the process plays out... then come in with the jack boots after a couple of years & force the issue!
It is clear the gov's actions (above) are contrary to the principles of democracy and the law as written in the Australian Constitution.
The constitution also records that a gov action or law that contradicts the constituion is no law and is not to be followed. The gov requires (at common law) a majority of people from Noosa to give consent for her to be legally included in the regional council.
This is a basic principle of Australian democracy and one that needs to be defended to be upheld.
There are now a number of councils across Qld adopting the vote Boycott. Anna Bligh has been served notice and there has been at least one injuction lodged in the high court. It is the responsability of the people to stand up to an injustice.
In the unwanted regional council the responsability and duty of care is with the people to make a stand for democracy and the will of the people by not voting in the regional council elections. For more info see www.bovozevo.com
Please be vigulant and look into this deeply, there are those working there own agenda and not serving the will of the people. united we stand.
Germany had a constitution when hitler came to power, at what point do we call a spade a spade and do all we can to hold a criminal undemocratic action at bay. Do we stop the assasin or participate in choosing which gun he is to use?
Australian governments at all levels have gone against the will of the people for too long. Of course they can do what they want if they go ahead unopposed and everyone says "it's a done deal. Just put up with it." Someone has to take a stand and the residents of Noosa are prepared to do that. No one wanted this amalgamation and we are prepared to stand up for our rights and not be bullied.
Under our Constitution it is the governments role to obey the will of the people. A referendum is a legally binding vote of the people. Noosa had a 95% vote against council amalgamation. The results were served on the Premier. If we vote in the regional council election we are contracting with the State government and giving them approval to abolish Noosa. If a majority (51%) of residents sign a voter's veto and do not vote we are entitled to stand alone as the majority have not given consent to the new council.
On the other hand, it'd be seriously interesting if there was a majority of voters that decided not to vote. Personally I can't see this happening, but if VOICE have passionate and articulate people manning every polling booth in Noosa on the day, I suppose there's still a chance?
Or then again - do these forms have to be sent off before the day? I haven't checked yet. Bugger this government for not listening.
If there was a credible opposition I'm sure they'd get tumbled out at the next election, but the opposition have basically created the situation where our democracy is getting trodden on because the pollies have realised they can.
That is to not vote.
The fight is not over until you roll over and quit. Go to the website www.bovozevo.com. & read this important information. Don't believe what politicians tell you. I believe in Big Bob, but he is just one man with a different agenda now.
We are many if we stand together, we can still stop this madness. In 5 yrs or so when Bob is not the regonial mayor who will protect Noosa, Anna Bligh?
Remember this is also about democracy. We the people should have the final say it is our given right.
the difference between not voting in this election and not voting in an election for a prime minister, is simple, noosa shire residents have a done REFERENDU which gives us (NOOSA RESIDENCE) legal entitlement to NOT VOTE in the up and coming election. not voting for a prime minister would require a referendum first. can you hear the difference between the two?
my last post was meant for jas73 and coastlover.
How many of you are there really ? I know that you collected 2-3000 petitions. But how many of those people do you think will deny themselves a vote on March 15, when push comes to shove ?
Do you think that it's possible that the tens of thousands of people who didn't sign up for your petition actually don't agree with you - or the way in which you are going about it more to the point ? I believe that a fair proportion of Noosa's people think that you have just fallen to Earth from outer space.
Supposing that everyone in Noosa decides not to vote. Suppose that you do force them to keep Noosa seperate through some loophole in the law. What do we do on the next day ? Then how are we going to manage Noosa after that day without any outside support ?
Please think forward and run us through how this is going to work in practice. We get to March 15 and some of you don't vote. 51% of noosa doesn't vote (however unlikely)
You take it from there. I am keen to hear the carefully planned reasoning behind this.
Once you have done that, I have an alternative suggestion for you to consider. Stop flogging a dead horse. Help us get the best possible outcome from this election. And then, If you are still not happy. Get back onto your de-amalgamation Plan B.
Noosa is still struggling against the tide. Better get over it folks. The Noosa Council will be no more whether you vote or not.
But, consider....if you are right.
Your erstwhile, inglorious and opportunistic leader Big Bob, who is there for the bob, has joined the unclean and will lead the charge AGAINST Noosa having independence.
Funny that, think ye?
(:
As for Pat endorsing Abbott, so did Alison, and even she would have more political nouse than a local tennis player!
free beer for a vote ?
surely thats moral if a free beer for the sake of it is ?
right ?
Last time I looked the High Court had been stacked for the past 11 years with capital C conservatives.
The definition of a conservative is a person who defends and advocates for the existing power of society's existing elites.
Under our constitution the State Government can do what it likes with Councils, conservative judges will be in agreement. Constitutional change would be required to give Councils a defence.
Labor in QLD like NSW is dominated by the right-wing faction, a faction addicted to political donations and their own business interests, no different to the conservative Coalition.
The State government is taking over local planning and development approvals, we only need to look south over the border to see the corrupt mess that will create.
The current "Labor" leader in the Federal parliament is a member of the right-wing faction and a millionaire, no more train drivers for the Labor party. Federal Labor leadership will not change the constitution to benefit the public at the expense of it's own interests and that of it's donors.
Bob Abbot has and is doing the right thing by Noosa residents and now the whole of the Sunshine Coast has the opportunity to benefit from someone who acts for the best interests of rate payers, not political donors and business mates. Butting your head against a brick wall might be fun and impress some, but the wall will remain undamaged and you'll have a sore head.
you asked what the well thought out plan would be.
we were going to run an election before the gov. election and decided that it would be to much at this time. the plan now is, the council workers all return to work as per usual, therefore the council run as it is running now. then nomination for a new mayor and councilors will be called for. announcements will then be put out to the public an election will be held and our new mayor and councilors will be in place and at work. all this will be done in the legal time of ten weeks. democracy has then been lived and breathed. henry ford said "if you think you can or think you can,t you are right! also us president c.c. said "persistance is and always will be the answer to our human problems"
Not being trained in legal matters I wont torture you with any more amateur legal views but share the results of Malcolm McClure's last bright idea and what the courts thought of that.
Alleged conduct: Representations made by UPMART, an unincorporated association founded by Malcolm McClure and Andrew Moyle, that consumers could obtain a 'Permanent drivers licence' and vehicle registration from UPMART which would enable them to drive on the roads. They also made other representations about GST and road tolls.
Outcome: Date: 12 May 2005
Result: Injunction granted. UPMART and its representatives restrained from making representations about registration, licensing, road tolls and GST.
Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA256F2B0...
Jeff Watson.
Candidate for Division 8
"Power to the People"
www.jeffwatson.com.au
It's good to see you supporting BigBob Pat. An informed decision, and a wise one I believe.
Keep working on that beard too. Bob's didn't happen overnight.
"Non cooperation with injustice is a sacred duty" One of the most succesful lawyers (in an English based legal system) on the planet. Mahatma Ghandi
This option will be voted on at Noosa Council next ordinary meeting.
There are now 6 council areas involved in this action to save local shires and democracy. United we stand.
"During times of Universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" George Orwell.
Admittedly I don't know if this is still the case, but they certainly were in the past, and were I recall supporters of the pro-development council of Bob King and Tom Hullet.
Reality is that any councillor has to deal with developers almost daily. It's where they draw the line that is the important thing. In election campaigns everyone starts to see things as black or white, when it is really all sorts of shades of grey.
The injuction you cited is not only far from his"latest bright idea" but has not been upheld, Malcolm has been involved in over 350 legal cases in every state of Aust and has won over 94% of them including ongoing actions for registration and licensing.
I suggest you go to www.VetoVote.net or contact VOICE Aust if you want the facts. We could sure use your motivation and research abilities. If no one makes a stand, history shows eventually we fall.
It cannot be said that there was not an alternative to the unwanted regional council, most peoples movements fail not at Law but with the people being misinformed and undermined.
Lets get a clear look at the truth people. Gov exists so that the will of the people can prevail. Clearly the people of Noosa ( & a lrg part of Qld) have made there will clear. Do you co-operate with a criminal action?
A cultish red herring to an important election?
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/feb...
jeff why didn,t you ask me yourself.
i would like to ask you a question. how do all the workers get paid now?
as for pat rafter endorsing bob abbot, it does make me wonder how pat could endorse bob with only hearing one side of the story. does anyone think that this is misuse of a power? power used correctly , surely would be informed of both sides and only then would an opinion be given. no one from HER or VOICE of australia have spoken with pat.
that was.. an absolutely.. insanely... good point.
just thought you should know.
And in regards to the 'vetovote' thing. ok. Noosa gets saved, now look what will happen, will Bob go back there? by the looks of it.. unlikely.
Then when they want funding, they will be quickly seen as 'the trouble causing, annoying' shire, and be lowest on the list of priorities. Not to mention the fact that they will now be surrounded by much bigger shires.
So by pushing this veto vote you're essentially digging yourself a deeper hole.
and atapro.. is it ever safe to get back on the topic again? really? haha.
Personally I don't see the big issue/point of Pat backing Bob, he's an individual, it would be sad if people based their votes purely because he was voting for him, instead of looking into it themselves..
you are sighting the worst case scenario. the best outcome for not amalgamating is a community which is run in accordance with the principles of democracy. in short democracy can only work within in the small communities. noosa would also have the option of on going gov. funds, as would be a very strong possibility as we are an international tourist attraction as well as national. it would be a very long shot for the gov. not to fund noosa. what do you think, now that you have looked at it this way?
your last point about pat and individuality is great.
Personally I think people of Noosa just need to realize that none of the candidates are that overly stupid not to understand that it's a tourist attraction, and to take care of it.
My main point is just that if Noosa remains part of the sunshine coast council, it can and most likely will benefit it more.
And thank you for the agreement of the individuality comment.
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