Kate Burton

Andrew Wilkie Independent Candidate for Denison 

Campaign Bulletin October 2009

Welcome to the October report on Andrew Wilkie's independent candidature for the seat of Denison at the State election expected in March 2010. 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).

Policies and positions

In the last week more controversy over the 'Tasmania Tomorrow' education debacle has emerged. Andrew's position on the so-called reforms is this:

'The Tasmania Tomorrow education reform has been ill-conceived and badly implemented. It is good to look for ways to improve things, but such reform must be based on expert advice and not the whim of grandstanding politicians. The reform should be stopped and experts - including teachers - appointed to sort out the mess.'

Publicity

You might have noticed the Van of Numbers cruising the streets - there's a good chance that you or someone you know has spotted it. And Andrew's billboards have moved - the 'Pokies destroy lives' billboard from New Town to Rosetta, and the billboard stating that the Government is 'Bungling, dishonest and uncaring' from North Hobart to New Town.

Andrew strongly reaffirmed his opposition to Gunns' Tamar River pulp mill in a speech read on his behalf at the anti-pulp mill rally at Beaconsfield on Sunday 4 October. Hopefully this will help to counter the disinformation being spread in some Greens circles about his stance on the pulp mill. Andrew also had a letter published in The Mercury on Sunday 11 October about the costs of political campaigns. The text of both can be read here: www.katemburton.com/campaign-2010/

On 18 November SBS is expected to screen a documentary about Andrew's 2003 public resignation from the Office of National Assessments as a whistleblower over Iraq. For anyone interested in Andrew's behind-the-scenes story this doco is a must-watch! The screening date is to be confirmed but we'll let you know if it changes.

What you can do to help

We are still after more volunteers to hold Kitchen Cabinets to raise money. A Kitchen Cabinet is a fun way to let people know about Andrew's campaign. Just invite people you know to your house to meet Andrew over a drink/dinner/bbq and pass the hat around.

Thank you to everyone who is working hard to collect nominations to ensure Andrew appears as a Grouped Independent on the ballot paper. This important part of the campaign is going well and it is certain that Andrew will have his own column alongside the major parties - a crucial prerequisite for a chance of success. Please return your sheets to Andrew as soon as you can. We will keep collecting signatures though because we need more than 100 names to have a safe buffer in case some people end up being ineligible as nominators (eg they're not enrolled to vote in Denison).

You can boost the campaign in others ways too. Simply spread the word - tell your friends, family and colleagues about Andrew and the campaign, and feel free to forward this email. And drop into the shop to pick up a bundle of campaign leaflets to give your friends and acquaintances. Posters will be available before too long so please let us know if you want one for your front fence.

Finally, keep an eye on Andrew's website which will keep you updated on his policy statements.

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

www.andrewwilkie.org