IN ANY election there are the party loyalists who always vote one way and the "true believers" don't usually deviate from this practice.
I take a keen interest in both state and federal politics and have come to the conclusion that there will always be swings and roundabouts.
By that I mean the Liberals are usually geared toward their conservative business allies whilst the Labor party looks after the worker and the less financially affluent.
One party looks after its own for a period of time and when the populist have had enough or don't like the way things are going they will toss them out and the other mob will get in.
I have been in that party loyalist category for many years but this election I have decided to take a good long hard look at what is best for the electorate I live in.
I have lived in Collie for four years.
This is the town I will be retiring in and so it is only natural that it matters not who is in residence in the "Palace in Perth", b ut who is the best candidate to work towards pushing this town's barrow.
I have received my fair share of election material from the Liberal candidate in the post and am pleased that the Collie swimming pool has $1 million committed for redevelopment - this has been a long time coming and is well overdue.
I have to say an additional $28 million for the road safety upgrades is a much better proposition than the $18 million promised by Labor.
I would be looking for Labor to match that one.
The Wellington Dam is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" issue.
Fine to say the Libs promised money for desalination then withdrew it - what did the Labor Party do and how much did it commit during the eight years it held the reigns?
All that aside, promises from both major parties abound during an election.
However, one does need to look at what has been done for the town since the incumbent member has been at the helm.
Mr Benton's letter (What achievements?, Collie Mail, February 21), has called on Ms Motion to advise what she intends for Collie in the future and how it will be funded.
I would like to call on our current local member, Mr Murray, to let us know what he achieved for Collie during his first two terms when Labor was in government (February 2001 to September 2008) and how much funding Collie received from the state coffers?
This would help greatly in the decision-making process as to who is the best person for the job when it comes to looking after Collie.
We need to remember this is an election about what is best for our town, not a popularity contest.
Roger Glocke,
Collie
