| 25 March 2007: Voters demand revitalisation of Northern Rivers rail |
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Northern Rivers Trains for the Future Inc. TOOT (Trains On Our Tracks) Campaign MEDIA RELEASE: 25 March 2007 Voters demand revitalisation of Northern Rivers rail Newell dumped as thousands ‘TOOT’ their vote The Iemma Government’s abandonment of the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line was a major factor in the decision by voters in the electorate of Tweed to dump sitting Labor MP Neville Newell according to organisers of the TOOT (Trains On Our Tracks) Campaign.TOOT volunteers handed out information about the rail policies of the Nationals, Greens and ALP at a series of polling places along the line and at other regional centres, including Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, Bangalow and Lismore. “Mr Newell has suffered a large swing against him of around 8%, and it’s clear that a major reason for this was his inability to stand up for the community and stop his Government from abandoning our rail line” said TOOT spokesperson Karin Kolbe. “Tweed voters have turned their backs on Labor, and instead flocked to the pro-rail policies of the Nationals and the Greens” Ms Kolbe said. Meanwhile Ms Kolbe says that across the Northern Rivers region thousands of voters have answered the call to ‘TOOT’ their vote. “We asked people right across the region who wanted to send a message that we want trains on our tracks to write the word ‘TOOT’ at the bottom of their ballot papers after voting” Ms Kolbe said. “Despite being banned from handing out leaflets at the polling booths showing people how to TOOT their vote without invalidating their vote, and a deliberate misinformation campaign by some parties, scrutineers have reported that a significant number of voters have ‘TOOTed’ their vote.” "Samples taken within the Lismore and Ballina electorates showed that up to one in four voters participated." "Counts taken at polling places in Mullumbimby and Lismore found TOOTing rates at 24% and 26% respectively.' “Fears that our call for people to TOOT their vote would lead to a large number of informal votes have also proved unfounded. Official figures show that the informal rate in our region was amongst the lowest in the state.” “With the defeat of Mr Newell and thousands ‘TOOTing’ their vote, the message from the Northern Rivers to Macquarie Street is clear – we want trains on our tracks.” “With the start of a new term it’s well and truly time for Labor to stop playing the blame game, stop hiding behind secret reports, and instead to start working with the community to deliver the rail services we need.” Contact: Karin Kolbe, President of NRTF, 0411 594 599, (02) 6680 8516 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it www.toot.org.au |
