MELBOURNE:- The Australian Democrats have preselected David Collyer to contest the Higgins by-election on December 5 caused by the resignation of Peter Costello.
"We are the voice of middle Australia, the party of moderation and progress," Collyer said at the announcement.
"I see great dissatisfaction and a sense of alienation among voters over the management of the nation's affairs. The two party system denies oxygen to all, except for the insistent selfish demands of the labor movement and of the conservatives. Too many people have abandoned hope and retreated into sullen despair, as though nothing can be done.
"I say, voting for the Democrats is the surest way to stop Labor and the conservative coalition preferring sectional interests over the greater public good.
"The federal parliament is grappling with many difficult issues; climate change, water, immigration, a fragile economy, infrastructure and energy. Meanwhile, education, the ageing population and our defence needs simply aren't being addressed.
"By-elections are notorious for producing unusual results where grumpy voters – who will be called out to vote again within months, if the pundits are to be believed – try to communicate their dissatisfaction to Canberra.
"The Democrats in parliament have always sought to improve legislation with our line-by-line review of key bills, willingness to negotiate and strategic voting - in the interests of all Australians. If elected, I will faithfully continue this essential work," he concluded.
David Collyer was previously senior adviser to then-senator and party leader Lyn Allison. Earlier, he held key public affairs roles at the Metropolitan Ambulance Service and at Kodak Australasia. He is a graduate of Melbourne's film and television school, then at Swinburne and now at the VCA. He is the father of two and lives in Kew East. He publishes on the Victorian Democrats' blog at dinkumdemocrats.com
Media contact – David Collyer 0413 248 193
|
