- LETTER OF RESIGNATION AS ALP MEMBER 25/05/07 -

It is with regret, but admittedly, also a sense of relief I tender this letter of resignation. It is a painful decision arrived at over many months of consideration, but one which I feel is necessary for the sake of my own sense of integrity.

Since November 11, 1975 I have supported the ALP both in practical terms and in recent years my commitment with membership.

I’ve performed hundreds of letter drops and fought the good fight around the odd dinner table or three…….Starting with “Joan Child Board” in my front garden, I’ve never stopped…I’ve worn my ALP T Shirt with pride, attending rallies, fundraisers and even rubbed shoulders with Mr Bracks at one of them……I’ve been involved!...I’ve handed out thousands of how to vote cards, attended State Conferences as a visitor…I’ve written suggestions and observations throughout many years into the vacuum of the bureaucratic system that asks for our input, without ever once returning the feedback.

But in recent times I’ve lost that sense of belonging within the group. I can’t see a purpose in belonging any more. There is little point in being a member of the group in which in reality, ignores its members

I “worked” for the ALP but it doesn’t “work” for me. Should it always be one way? I don’t think so!

In fairness I have to say the Glen Huntly Branch to which I’ve belonged have been very good to me and very patient with my obvious passion for my particular interests. They’ve shared my frustrations with good grace, but they too get ignored by the “powers that be” . I found myself asking “why do we put up with it?” and importantly “why do I put up with it”? and women in particular find it harder.

My disillusionment started at both the local level with Ann Barker, Member for Oakleigh and has finished with the ALP Leader Kevin Rudd. I believe it started when I went into Ann’s office to complain about the police brutality which I had experienced firsthand at the S11 Rally during the September 12, 2000. Horses were reared up within a metre above me, causing a group of older folk to fall over and hurt themselves, one received a broken finger, trying to escape the hooves. Ms Barker asked rather disdainfully “who are you?!” and her Office Manager had to tell her gently that I was a member given to doing many letter drops for her in Glen Huntly…. Recently, last month I rang her to ask if she had any response to my concerns I’d raised with her and the 33 member Executive Committee of the ALP, (Bill Shorten & Stephen Newnham etc, etc) about the State Conference to be told it was the responsibility of the individual member to follow up any perceived shortfalls in its management.

In recent times , at a local level I’ve made contact with Ms Barker on three separate issues, that as a Member of the ALP with deep concerns about due process, as an Advocate for Choice and Dignity in Dying, and as a Member of the Glen Huntly Progress Group.
With all three issues, Ms Barker has consistently ignored my overtures to have her represent my and the Community Group I represent, interests as our Representative in the Victorian Government. Ms Barker, on being asked specifically, never attempted to take the issues raised with her, outside her office. Ann lost votes in Glen Huntly at the last election for a very good reason – little representation!

I’d always thought sitting members represented their constituents beyond a certain level of negotiation within the Government Departments, and that was the purpose of their election to office.

With Kevin Rudd as Leader of the ALP I cannot support a Party that will take uranium out of the ground to be sent back to Australia as missiles in some distance future, directly impacting on my grandchildren. I would rather my grandchildren had a peaceful co existence with the rest of the world than be rich and wealthy because of mining sales to countries who have shown themselves to be political unstable. There is no joy in being the richest dead corpse in the cemetery.

I also strongly resent Kevin Rudd continuing the current Government’s cry to have Christian Values underpinning Government Policy making. Both State and Federal Governments should remain secular to ensure fair governance for all Australians. It alarms me that Governments implement policy based on faith generated values, rather than the tangible reality Australia needs.

A voluntary euthanasia policy implemented with strict guidelines ensures choice for the individual, but because of the current group of politicians, both Labor and Liberal favoring Christianity based faith. This attitude is reflecting badly on the rights of others, who do not hold similar values in faith.

I was dismayed by the treatment of Mark Latham during his illness prior to his “fall from grace” so abruptly when he ceased to have “a use”….No wonder he wrote such a scathing book in retaliation. I went into Simon Crean’s Office in Clayton to request the Labor Party stop their mauling of a very sick man while he was down. I remarked then, if we treat our own like that, what hope is there for others? I too knew what it was like to be desperately ill and surrounded by people lacking in basic compassion.

The strength of democracy relies to a great extent on the free flow of information and comment, but neither the Liberal nor the Labor Party can be accused of allowing this to happen. The Labor Members signed away my rights to free speech when they supported the Suicide Related Materials Bill January 2006 under the guidance of Mr Beazley…Also the counter terrorist laws that were absolutely unnecessary and mind blowing, yet got legislated with the help of Labor….

I’ve been asked so many times who I think may win the next Federal election and I say quite honestly “I don’t know”….Many people are concerned by Labor States working with a Labor Federal to bring about laws that will disadvantage them….Unfortunately I can’t reassure them that Labor will honor their rights. no longer believe the Labor Party shares my values.

The Labor Party as a bureaucracy has moved to the middle of the bed with the Liberals and they make a scary couple!

However I do take this opportunity to thank those members of the Glen Huntly ALP for all the support and friendships I’ve made over the years.

My resignation is effective 10 pm, May 21st, 2007

Mary Walsh
 

Footnote for readers: the “effective time” was due to the fact I was holding an ALP Meeting in my home that night by previous arrangement. .

Mr Evan Thornley, newly elected Member for Southern Metropolitan Upper House sent me a very “nice” letter in response to mine, for which I thank him. I was pleased I’d made the effort to “scrutinize ” on his behalf on a count back, thereby gaining his Seat , along with other volunteers.

Copy to K. Rudd, S. Bracks, S. Newnham, A. Barker, (G. Danson) , E. Thornley, J Lenders, A. Barker

 

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