Kate Burton

the candidate, originally uploaded by doitforlove.

Well, there are 9 days to go to the election and things are certainly getting very busy. After a fast shave, Andrew has back-to-back engagements for a good chunk of today, including addressing a class at Princes Street Primary School and introducing them to the Van of Numbers. (Another generation converted?) Andrew's managing all of this exceptionally well, though his daily departures from the house are often delayed by 3-year old cries of "Daddy, I'm not going to let you go EVER!"

the draw, originally uploaded by doitforlove.

On Friday 5 March the Tasmanian Electoral Commission conducted a draw to determine in which order candidates appear on the ballot paper on 20 March.
We had all worked hard to ensure that, with 100 nominators, Andrew was included as a 'Grouped Independent' which means he was in the draw to be listed in the first section of the ballot paper, alongside the parties. This gives a tremendous advantage to an Independent. And all parties hope to be drawn for the coveted first column on the ballot, a position which is believed to be advantageous for picking up the 'donkey vote' - people who simply number the boxes left to right across the paper.
After an impressive and fairly elaborate set-up, little blue balls containing the names of those eligible were rattled around the ballot box and then drawn, one by one. The first name to be drawn - and so the first name to appear on the ballot paper - was Andrew Wilkie! The local newspaper journalist standing behind let out a whistle. "Hm, that'll have an impact," was clearly the meaning.
So. We have all of the ducks lined up. First position on the ballot. A 12-year old Labor Government truly on the nose with even hard-core Labor voters. A Liberal alternative which is not a real alternative in the minds of many. The Greens who cannot win a majority of seats and so form government. And nearly a quarter of the electorate still undecided about how they will vote.
Andrew's chances are still a long shot. It has been a long time since an independent was elected to the lower house in Tasmania - since they reduced the size of the Parliament from 35 to 25 in 1998. But if ever there was a chance it is now. Good luck Andrew! We are doing our best to support you.

Andrew Wilkie
Independent Candidate for Denison
Campaign Bulletin March 2010
www.andrewwilkie.org

Welcome to the early March report on Andrew Wilkie's independent candidature for the seat of Denison at the State election on 20 March. You've received this email because you're either a supporter of Andrew's campaign or might have a particular interest in it. I'll send another bulletin out closer to the election, but if you don't want to receive it please reply to me (Kate Burton, Andrew's wife).

As this is election month there are a few things we'd like to remind you about.

1. Letterboxing
For those of you who have volunteered to deliver leaflets, they are now ready to be picked up from Rugs & Kilims (208 Elizabeth Street North Hobart) for delivery to people's letterboxes. We have maps with the relevant streets highlighted so you know where you need to go. It's good exercise and a very good cause so even if you haven't volunteered already let us know and we can assign you an area in Denison to letterbox. Thanks to everyone who has picked up leaflets already!

2. Fundraiser
This Friday 5 March a fundraiser will be held at the home of Jo Matthews. The details are:
Friday 5 March, 5 Francis St Battery Point
7pm til late, or until we receive an obscene amount in donations - whichever comes first
BYO drinks, some nibbles will be provided
A very deep hat will be passed around for Andrew's campaign so please come prepared to part with some cash or cheques (made out to 'Andrew Wilkie')
Everyone welcome, so please tell your friends.

3. The latest poll
In mid-February EMRS conducted a poll on voting intentions across Tasmania and in each individual seat. The results for Andrew were very encouraging. The percentage of voters intending to vote one for an independent in Denison was 6%. To put this in perspective, a poll in November last year had only 3% of voters intending to put an independent as number one. Also there was a high percentage (23%) of undecided voters, which means their votes still need to find a home. And the Greens polled 40% in Denison, which they are unlikely to receive in the real poll. Again some of these votes will go elsewhere, including to Andrew.

So what might this mean? A quota for the Lower House is 16.5%. We calculate that if Andrew can win half a quota (about 8%) in primary votes, he has a chance of being elected on preferences.

So we're getting there. Thanks to Andrew's hard work and your fantastic efforts in spreading the word and donating money Andrew is in with a small but real chance.

A lot depends on these last two weeks of the campaign. Please keep telling people you know about Andrew. Encourage them to email him or visit the shop to ask him questions if they're unsure about his position on a particular matter. Send a donation if you can. Put a sticker on your car or a poster in your front yard. It all helps.
 
Thank you again for your continued support. We know many of you have been active in spreading the word and we greatly appreciate your efforts. Remember, if every supporter persuades ten people to vote for Andrew then the chances of his success skyrocket!

If you have been forwarded this bulletin from a friend and would like to receive it directly, email us and we'll add you to the list.

If you need to contact Andrew or me email
wilkie.andrew@bigpond.com
burtonkm@bigpond.com
or phone 0400 818 625.


Authorised by Kate Burton 208 Elizabeth Street North Hobart 7000

Andrew Wilkie
Independent Candidate for Denison
Campaign Bulletin February 2010
www.andrewwilkie.org

Welcome to the February report on Andrew Wilkie's independent candidature for the seat of Denison at the State election on 20 March. You've received this email because you're either a supporter of Andrew's campaign or might have a particular interest in it. I'll send another bulletin out in March but if you don't want to receive it please reply to me (Kate Burton, Andrew's wife).

The election was announced on Friday 12 February so there are only five weeks to go. Andrew is well-positioned because he launched his campaign in March last year and we feel he's made a big splash since that time. He has had very good feedback from across the political spectrum and we think that he is genuinely in the race.

Policy and Media
Andrew has had a big win in recent days with the Greens buckling to the pressure of his anti-pokies stand and announcing a policy of abolishing all poker machines in the State in five years. Previously they advocated banning pokies from pubs and clubs but would have allowed the continued operation of poker machines in the casinos, which would have seen the majority of the pokies problem in Tasmania remain unresolved. The casinos take about half of the State’s pokies grab and this would have increased substantially if problem gamblers were steered there by the removal of pokies only from pubs and clubs.
 
The new Greens policy appears to match Andrew's, however there is an important difference. Whereas the Greens want to make the change in 5 years and are prepared to tear up the contract between the State and the Federal Group to do it, Andrew believes that the contract should be allowed to run its course before the machines are abolished. This recognises the importance of honouring contracts (however misconceived) and as importantly gives the industry and the Government ample time to make the transition between very different commercial and revenue environments.

In the last week Andrew was reported in the Mercury regarding his support for the Tasmanian Constitution Society. The aim of the Society is to restore the House of Assembly (the lower house) to 35 members, from its current 25 members. This was one of Andrew's founding policies.

On Saturday 13 February the Mercury reported Andrew as one of 'The Ones to Watch' in the election. His anti-pokies stand, previous campaigns including against John Howard, and senior army background clearly demonstrate that he is a man of substance and experience who would bring excellent skills to the Parliament.

Leaflets
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to deliver leaflets in March. We need more volunteers though! If you haven't already told us that you'd like to help in this way here's what to do:
1. Let us know that you want to leaflet, and tell us if you prefer to deliver in a certain area (we will do our best to accommodate such requests but can't promise).
2. Between 26 February and 5 March pick up leaflets from our shop, Rugs and Kilims (208 Elizabeth St North Hobart), or ask us to drop them at your house.
3. Between 5-19 March deliver to letterboxes in your designated area. 

Posters
Thank you also for those who have volunteered to have posters on your property. We have more posters for distribution, each 600 x 900mm. Let us know if you have a prominent position for one or more. They can be picked up from Rugs and Kilims. You can probably put them up yourself but please let us know if you need help.

**We have an Andrew Wilkie banner, 3m x 1.25m, which needs a home. Please let us know if you have a high-profile position for this.**

Stickers
We now have 'Andrew Wilkie' bumper stickers! If you want one or more (to give to friends or distribute somehow - please make sure it is legal and ethical) they can be picked up at Rugs and Kilims.

Donations
Thank you to everyone who has generously pitched in money to help with the campaign. But we're still well short of the thousands of dollars we need to keep Andrew's profile, and therefore chances, at a competitive level and we would be very grateful for more donations. A single bumper sticker costs more than 50 cents; an election poster costs $9; a billboard for a month $600; and a reasonably-sized newspaper advertisement well over $1000.

Thank you again for your continued support. We know many of you have been active in spreading the word and we greatly appreciate your efforts. Remember, if every supporter persuades ten people to vote for Andrew then the chances of his success skyrocket!

If you have been forwarded this bulletin from a friend and would like to receive it directly, email us and we'll add you to the list.

If you need to contact Andrew or me email
wilkie.andrew@bigpond.com
burtonkm@bigpond.com
or phone 0400 818 625.


Andrew Wilkie
Independent Candidate for Denison
Campaign Bulletin January 2010
www.andrewwilkie.org

Welcome to the January report on Andrew Wilkie's independent candidature for the seat of Denison at the State election expected on 20 March. You've received this email because you're either a supporter of Andrew's campaign or might have a particular interest in it. I'm sending these bulletins out every month, but if you don't want to receive them please reply to me (Kate Burton, Andrew's wife).

Over the Christmas/New Year period we've taken a break from campaigning. We're now back, with just two months to go to the election.

We're pleased to report that Andrew finished 2009 as a visible and credible candidate. Media interviews, press stories, the Van of Numbers (keeping a count of losses on the pokies), billboards, tens of thousands of leaflets, letters to the editor and your word of mouth helped to achieve this.

The Labor Government is throwing money around like drunken sailors and there is no shortage of promises from the other two big parties. The electorate isn't stupid and the result is likely to be close. The challenge for Andrew is to stay in the race - he could well be central to deciding who governs Tasmania after the election. It's time to lock in some crucial help.

Leaflets
There'll be another delivery of leaflets to every home in the electorate towards the end of the campaign. Australia Post will deliver some of these. But we need volunteers to spend a day or two in March putting leaflets in letterboxes to cover the remainder. Many of you have already offered to help but we need you to recommit - and new people to put up their hands. The plan at this stage is for people to pick up leaflets from our shop, Rugs and Kilims (208 Elizabeth St North Hobart), or have them dropped at their home, between 26 February and 5 March for delivery to letterboxes during the fortnight 5-19 March. Please reply to this email if you can help, even if you have contacted us previously.

Posters
We have about 200 posters for distribution, each 600 x 900mm. We need sites - front yards and fences - in high-profile locations to display them. Again, even if you have contacted us about this previously please let us know if you are still able to put up a poster. Posters can be picked up from Rugs and Kilims. Most people will be able to put up the posters themselves, for instance tied/screwed to their fence or a timber stake. But if you need help please let us know and we'll do it for you.

Please note that Hobart City Council regulations restrict the period in which election posters can be displayed to one month, so it's best for homes in the Hobart City Council area to put their posters up only after the election is called. Glenorchy City Council allows three months so posters there can go up as soon as you receive them.

Stickers
One thousand 'Andrew Wilkie' bumper stickers will be available for distribution by Saturday 30 January. If you want one or more (to give to friends or distribute somehow - please make sure it is legal and ethical!) they can be picked up at Rugs and Kilims.

If for some reason you can't pick up leaflets, posters or stickers please let us know and we can deliver them to you.

Donations
Thank you to everyone who has generously pitched in money to help with the campaign. But we're still well short of the thousands of dollars we need to keep Andrew's profile, and therefore chances, at a competitive level and we would be very grateful for more donations. For example, a single bumper sticker costs more than 50 cents. An election poster costs $9. A billboard for a month $600, and a reasonably-sized newspaper advertisement well over $1000.

Thank you again for your continued support. We know many of you have been active in spreading the word and we greatly appreciate your efforts. Remember, if every supporter persuades ten people to vote for Andrew then the chances of his success skyrocket!

If you have been forwarded this bulletin from a friend and would like to receive it directly, email us and we'll add you to the list.

If you need to contact Andrew or me email
wilkie.andrew@bigpond.com
burtonkm@bigpond.com
or phone 0400 818 625.