Who will set the agenda?

Keith Thomas writes: Re: Crikey says: it’s a question of who you can trust (Monday). But will you raise the important issues that neither party wants to address? Or are you going to let the politicians set the agenda? Look at what Lynton Crosby is advising the UK Conservatives: don’t talk about controversial and divisive issues. I would suggest that you look at some of the small parties, groups of frustrated energetic individuals who have been driven to stand because the major parties ignore their issues. A few of these may be a little odd, but among them will be far-sighted individuals frustrated about the narrowness of the list of issues that mainstream media will allow into the contest. In only in a decade or two some of these issues will be critical and the mass of the population will be asking where were the media — missing in action, as they were for the GFC, for example.

Clarification

Alan Corbett writes: Re: “It’s party time: September 7 will be a voters’ smorgasbord“. The article says: “It’s not too hard to convince the AEC you should be registered; an organisation must present the signatures of a minimum of 500 members who are listed on the electoral roll, plus a $500 application fee.”

Only partially correct. Signatures are no longer required. What’s required these days is the name, address and contact details of at least 500 members, plus a robust constitution, other paperwork and the money.  The AEC contacts a sample of the members to ensure they are indeed members. Believe me, it’s not as easy as it is implied in the article to get a new political party registered.

Schooled

Gavin Robertson writes: Re. “And the winner in the after-school care pledge is … Sydney” (yesterday). The main areas in Sydney affected by the after-school care crisis (according to The Sydney Morning Herald at least) are in the lower north shore of Sydney. Not a famously Labor voting area, so maybe the Libs will find a few crumbs for this cause after all.

Monaro, Eden-Monaro

Jenny Keene writes: Re. “Bell tolls for Eden-Monaro, where nobody’s revved up on Monaro St” (Monday). James Rose is probably too young to know that Queanbeyan also gifted the world Heather McKay (squash champion) and George Lazenby (James Bond).