When NSW Labor MP Cherie Burton gave her inaugural speech in “The Bear Pit” in May 1999, she pledged to work “tirelessly” for her Kogarah constituents in southern Sydney.
While she may be hyper-active in the high streets and back streets of the electorate, her performance in parliament has been lamentable: no speeches or questions throughout 2008 and only four vocal interventions in 2007 lasting less than 12 minutes.
How different it all sounded on May 12, 1999. The visitors’ gallery was packed with family and friends when she said:
“Firstly, though, I would like to thank the people of Kogarah for trusting me to be their local representative in the New South Wales Parliament. I will not let them down. I will work tirelessly to ensure that the people of Kogarah receive the best quality in representation and service, and I will do everything I can to improve our local area as well as the quality of life of the people of St George.”
The rhetoric soared when she told MPs:
“Put simply, Kogarah is a great place to live. However, like all parts of Sydney, Kogarah has needs and priorities that the Labor Government must address. Today I commit myself to working tirelessly for the people who elected me to ensure that what needs to happen does happen.”
On the same night, another newly-elected Labor MP, Barry Collier, from Miranda in the same Sydney region, delivered his inaugural speech.
While Ms Burton became a parliamentary secretary in 2003 and then a Cabinet minister (2005-2007), Collier had to wait until last year to become a parliamentary secretary.
While Hansard records Ms Burton speaking just four times in the 100 sitting since the 2007 state election, Collier has been on his feet 174 times — 88 times in 2007 and 86 in 2008.
In the past two years, Ms Burton has made two private member’s statements in which she has addressed local issues on behalf of her constituents. Collier has given 29.
He’s a workhorse while she’s a show pony.
Labor’s margin in Kogarah of 17.7 per cent seems to make it a constituency too far for the Coalition when the next election is held in March 2011.
But as the Sydney by-elections in October demonstrated, when there were 20 per cent swings against Labor, no government seat is safe anymore.
With Ms Burton uncertain whether she wants to stand again in 2011, Kogarah has suddenly appeared on the Coalition’s list of “target” seats.
If the working people of suburbs like Allawah, Beverly Hills, Bexley, Bexley North, Blakehurst, Carlton, Carss Park, Connells Point, Hurstville, Kingsgrove, Kogarah, Kyle Bay, South Hurstville decide to give Labor the old heave-ho, no one can blame them.
And the silent Ms Burton and the NSW right-wing machine will have to accept their share of responsibility.
Dave – quite seriously its a wonder this story hasn’t made international headlines! An MP threatens his sick and elderly constituents for personal gain.
It smells of a scam or he’s really lost it. Its predatory behaviour and if these female pensioners had paid up the MP would add $20,000 plus to his income. How many other MPs have used their power in scare tactics?
Where does Rudd’s $1400 economic boost go – back into the pockets of atleast one pollie!! It’s a scam or he’s nuts. I really cant see the difference in a Premier being threatened for gain and constituents similarly extorted.
It’s an amazing story not just about the pollie about how the Labor Party isn’t reacting accordingly??
Wow, Jenny L – I hadn’t seen that news. A Labor MP threatening a branch member with legal action while she’s recovering from a stroke? Could you get any lower?
Here’s a more detailed article on the same bizarre topic: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/12/12/31001_gold-coast-top-story.html
Jenny is right – this clown seems to be a much bigger story than Cherie Burton.
Here’s another story on the MP suing his party members and constituents!! As the nation lays off skilled workers the Labor party is ambivalent about an MP clearly unfit for his job. I just did some googling on the electorate and its last member Robert Poole was absent having knee surgery in Thailand where his wife was living! Then Premier Beattie OK’d that because he said his neighbouring MP Don Livingstone would sit in for him. When Livingstone was found holidaying with Poole in Thailand Beattie ordered Poole back and he chose to resign instead causing a bi-election. No wonder Beattie hot-footed it to the US!
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/suing-mp-asked-to-consider-political-future/2008/12/12/1228585103904.html
Cherie pretty much sounds a prime loser on parliamentary performance but maybe she’s like so many MPs these days – unable to string two words let alone a sentence together. The literacy levels in state and federal parliaments are on average appalling. If selection criteria were attached to MP roles a good 70% of our MPs wouldn’t be where they are. And nor should the Qld Labor MP today caught for a second time bullying elderly constituents for benefit – this time he wanted $10,000 compensation!! Why on earth are so many really dopey b*stards finding their way into positions so clearly beyond their ability and are political parties so bereft of membership they can only field morons? Society and the economy are increasingly complex and sophisticated yet you’d swear the ALP was recruiting from correctional centres. Read this!
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24789437-3102,00.html
Ah Ha! Now there’s an interesting line: “While she may be hyper-active in the high streets and back streets of the electorate, her performance in parliament has been lamentable: no speeches or questions throughout 2008 and only four vocal interventions in 2007 lasting less than 12 minutes”
Sorry Alex, but if you concede that she’s been hyperactive in the electorate, then she’s earning her dosh. I’ve been interested to read the articles about Cherie Burton this week, but speaking in Parliament is IN REALITY no big deal. So she only asked a couple of Dorothy Dixers? Big deal. In theory her sole responsibility is to represent her constituents in Parliament, but in practice an MP who is active locally and who can lobby ministers directly (or via advisers) about constituent issues is far more use than an MP who loves the sound of their own voice going into Hansard but does little more.