Local Issues Raised with Windsor

APPROXIMATELY 40 people attended a meeting at St Luke’s hall in Scone last night to hear from Tony Windsor, the independent candidate for the federal seat of New England.

Key issues discussed included the NBN, education, climate change, funding cuts to the CSIRO, Australia Post, mining, ground water, free trade agreements and of course the Scone bypass.

On the issue of the Scone bypass and overpass Windsor said his job was not to make a decision for the people of the town, but to represent what the people in the town wanted.

Tony Windsor addresses Scone residents last night.

“I look for the unity in a situation and what the community wants, not the RMS or a politician,” said Mr Windsor.

“I am sure there are people who would like this process slowed down by division, perhaps even the Minister has said that,” he said.

“But when a community is united in what it wants, it will get what it wants regardless of the money,” Tony Windsor said.

Ben Wyndham, president of the Scone Chamber of Commerce also attended the politics at the pub run by Barnaby Joyce last month and said he has little faith either candidate on the issue.

“It was interesting to see Tony dodge the big issues in our town, rather than tackle the bypass head on and neither did Barnaby,” said Mr Wyndham.

However, others agreed that the process by the RMS of an endless stream of options the community did not want and constant consultation may be having a divisive and time wasting effect as Tony Windsor had referenced.

Kathy Burns who attended the meeting, said she thought Tony Windsor did address the big issues.

“I think he takes on a lot of the big issues that Australia needs to take on, Gonski, the drain of our scientists overseas, the NBN,” said Ms Burns.

“When he was in parliament he got money spent on the Tamworth base and he got stuff done in his electorate,” she said.

“After listening to him I think we are better off having a person who hasn’t got a party agenda and will represent local people,” Kathy Burns said.