Noosa Longweekend defends Bligh visit
12:00a.m. 10th July 2008
The Noosa Longweekend Festival committee has defended its decision to invite Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to open the event.
Ms Bligh’s cameo provoked numerous letters to the editor and comments on this website from people expressing disgust at her visit.
A few defended her appearance.
Noosa Longweekend general manager Gail Hewton said an event’s major sponsor was usually invited to speak at its launch.
“We would have done it regardless of who was in power,” she said.
“We did not invite Anna Bligh as a political statement.”
Ms Hewton said the Queensland Government had contributed $80,000 to the festival and it was “good manners” to extend an invitation.
Member for Noosa Glen Elmes was not at the event launch and said while he understood the importance of acknowledging the state government’s contribution, he thought Ms Bligh should spend more time in Noosa talking to residents about other concerns.
Mr Elmes said state government decisions such as council amalgamation, the Traveston Crossing dam and the takeover of water infrastructure had created an atmosphere of hostility towards state Labor and the Premier.
“I’m happy she supports something,” Mr Elmes said.
“It’s the first time in two years she’s supported something in Noosa.
“Now that she’s found Noosa exists, I’d like her to support additional things.”
Friends of Noosa spokesperson Bob Ansett described her visit as “ironic” and a “fence-mending exercise” given Ms Bligh’s slide in opinion polls.
Recent Comments
Ms Hewton stated “We did not invite Anna Bligh as a political statement.” what else could it have been?
You are actually part of Queensland, where Anna Bligh is the premier, and when a significant cultural event happens, it is normal for the premier to come and open it. Even if the area she is heading to is so pretentious they feel they are deserved of special treatment.
god, i would be stoked if Noosa could be made its own country with its own border to keep the riff raff in, but its not going to happen, so suck it up.
You know, if it was just correct political protocol to invite the Premier, she didn't have to accept the invitation. She has declined enough other invitations to come to Noosa in the past. She might have suspected how unpopular it would have been, and the damage which it would have done to the NLW cause among the residents.
If she wanted to improve her standing within our community perhaps she could come up here and hold a public meeting to discuss some of the issues which are concerning us about her and her Government.
It is another thing to sneak in under the radar, because you know the citizens hate you!!!!
It is obvious from your previous posts that you come from your own special realm where fairies and pixies and tiny little elves throw glitter and fairy dust around the place.
Maybe Excalibur should be getting on to the Longweekend Committee for having the hide to accept $80,000.00 in contributions from a Premier and Government that gets up his nose and get them to send the contribution back.
Was it Anna Bligh who was not afraid to attend and stand up to the hostile crowds at the public meeting on the Traveston Dam.
I am sure the Premier always glad to visit and assist the Noosa community where possible even though she knows her party chances of winning the seat are 1000 to 1.
2) Ms Hewton must be in that 2% of the population that didn't vote for Bob. If this was 'Good manners' then swap it for common sense.
3) If it was published that Bligh was turning up, more people would have turned up for adverse reasons.
4) So Ms Hewton, give us some more of your wisdom into why you didn't tell us prior to the event that Bligh was invited and was attending.
Given the long-term resentment against the State Labor government, I find this whole subject disgusting.
Again, Bob and the other Councillors, don't dare give NLW festival or ANY others ANY money if they are going to invite State Government Labor pollies. I won't even give them the benefit of the doubt.
Further, I would go so far as to say if the NLW festival have any money left over, send them a invoice for the grant they received from our rates.
And to all those whingers about 'us' and 'them' eg Non-Noosa and Noosa, grow up and stop it now. We are one council now - get use to it.
Seriously!!
And lets not forget the bribery (vote bying) just started from the State Govnt. Does the Private Public Partnerships for 'State Schools' sound familar to the lies about the Hospital?
Fair dinkum people - united we stand, divided we fall. Focus on removing Labor so convincingly that politicians will be scared of the voters instead dictators to the voters.
Lets start by removing their privileges of being exempt from the legal system because they say something in parliament.
While we are at it, they keep telling us how they are operating more efficiently - like a business. Then why can't they be treated like Directors of a Business. But of course being liable for their actions or inactions isn't nice for a pollie.
Why invite the Premier? Because like it or not the government paid the biils. And because as unattractive as the proposition is to correspondents such as LJ Turner, it just might mean the Premier might start to listen. Just might.
As things are with no seats to lose here, why should she?
Very well said!
Obviously a "thinking" person.
Thank God there are still a few around.
By the way, good point about the Premier not needing to listen, doctor49. Maybe she will start to hope that she can win some seats on the Coast as we move closer to the Election.
1) To the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, don't give the NLW festival any money again unless it guarantees it won't waste our money giving Bligh an invite. This is not a request.
this is not a request!!! seriously!
Are you training with al-Qaeda?
have you taken hostages?
is there a bomb strapped to your person in case of a bligh visit in the future... this is why i hate noosa... you say stupid things!
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