Isteach Sa Teach

BY LLOYD GORMAN

DON’T BELIEVE BALLOT BOX BLUSTER

There has been much huffing and puffing by certain political and media pundits about some of the more unpredictable aspects of the outcome of the March state election. The fact there is now very little in the way of an opposition to keep a very powerful government in check should be what commentators are worried about. Instead, the success of the Daylight Savings Party (DSP) and Legalise Cannabis Party in securing one and two members respectively to a $150,000 a year position for four years in the upper house of parliament on the back of a handful of votes has been called an undemocratic cheat and evidence that the electoral system is broken and in dire need of reform. That may or may not be true or it could just be a question of how you look at the political system we have – warts and all. Much of the fuss so far has focused on the unlikely story of Geraldton born DSP candidate Wilson Tucker (below), who with just 98 first preference votes and against the odds is now an elected representative for the Mining and Pastoral electorate in the northern and eastern regions of the state. He is one of six people to become a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) for the mind bogglingly big district stretching over 2,205,281 km2 and nearly 70,000 voters. Given the region’s strong agricultural bent and its persistent rejection in previous referenda to the introduction of Daylight Savings, Tucker’s election is probably nothing short of miraculous. He will have to win over many of his constituents but he is there for their sake. The fact he got over the line with a smattering of first preferences but able to reach a quota by negotiating smart preference deals with other micro-parties and independents is not trickery or treachery. In Mining and Pastoral there were 21 political parties and independents, all of who would have made deals with others about where they wanted their votes to go if and when they got knocked out of the electoral race. Coincidentally the biggest political clout in the district is wielded by Irishman Stephen Dawson, who has represented it since the 2013 election. In March, the Dublin born member of the McGowan Cabinet was the electorate’s biggest vote getter on the ballot paper, gathering an impressive 27,890 first preference votes out of a total of about 50,000 votes. These numbers meant he was the first to get across the line for the electorate but they also meant that his surplus votes were predominately distributed to Stephen Dawson with ‘deadly dancers’ fellow Labor Party running mates. The end result was that another three Labor candidates – who each got just 32, 18 and 23 first preference votes under their own steam – were in second, third and fourth place to get elected. Even if you combine the first preferences of all three they still are still shy of Tucker’s tally of 98. The DSP man was the fifth candidate to get across the line while the sixth and final place went to Liberal Neil Thomson with 5,220 first preference votes. Nicholas Fardell with The Nationals WA – which normally polls well in rural and remote districts – with 4956 first preferences was the next best performer in the area,

but this alone was not enough to secure one of the six seats that were up for grabs. Like it or not that’s the electoral system we have. Its hard to see how a government with a historic majority and that benefits from it wouldn’t seem heavy handed and vindictive in going after the little guy who beat the system at its own game fair and square. Meanwhile, Irish Scene wishes all our new and returned MPs good luck for the next four years. They all have an important job to do.

SMALL CAN STILL STAND TALL

Micro-parties and one issue candidates and some independents have a bit of an image problem. They are often written off as misfits, hobbyists and non-conformists with an axe to grind. That perception is partly self induced and the result of a lack of resources to help compete against bigger and more established taxpayer funded entities. But the persistent prejudice is also encouraged by mainstream parties and politicians who see them as a soft target and distraction. It would be wrong however – and lazy – to dismiss them all as freaks on the fringes of society. Many, if not most, are probably as genuine in their motivation as those who take the easier option of a joining an established and readily identified political brand. As well as Stephen Dawson, another Irishman ran for election in the 2021 state election. In fact he has contested more than one state election. Galway man Daithi Gleeson founded Liberals for Climate late last year to fight the election and stood 14 candidates. Daithi first came to Western Australia in 2010 but founded The Flux Party in late 2015: “as a new concept in democracy with the stated aim of returning democratic power to individual voters”. Isteach sa Teach tried to reach out to Daithi to find out more about him and his political story but that will have to wait now until the next issue of the magazine. By the way, he pulled in a respectable 1166 first preferences in the North Metro Region, which was a good bit more than many candidates for the bigger parties managed.

NO SIGN OF THIS FRIENDSHIP FLAGGING ANYTIME SOON

Ireland and Australia are celebrating 75 years of official diplomatic relations but in March the Australian embassy in Dublin saw a significant symbolic step forward. “History was made this morning when the Australian Aboriginal Flag was hoisted alongside the Australian

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

THE THE IRISH IRISH

SCENE SCENE

www.irishscene.com.au

2021 • VOLUME 23 ISSUE 3 • FREE

Breaking new ground and ground breaking developments SEE PAGE 47

Above: Ambassador Gary Green flying the Aboriginal flag flying from Embassy in Dublin. Right: This issue’s cover featuring Ian Dawson and Clive Smith

Crisis support: 0403 972 265

National Flag as a 13 11 14 permanent feature of the Australian Embassy in Dublin,” Ambassador Gary ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS From log book services to full reconstructions, it can all be done at Killarney Autos! Killarney Autos 9309 4445 killarneyautos.com.au Unit 5/23 Buckingham Dr, Wangara KillarneyAutosKillarneyAutos Gray tweeted. “A proud day for all Australians. ����❤” The gesture was appreciated by several Irish politicians, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin who tweeted it was: “A fitting way to respect and represent Australia’s past, present and future.” It was also retweeted by Stephen Dawson, MLC. A few days later another remarkable thing happened. The Hand in Hand Irish Aboriginal Festival – probably the first event of its kind in Australia – was staged at Kidogo Arthouse in Bathers Beach, Fremantle – which by happenstance was the venue for the farewell function for the ambassador’s departure to Ireland (Failte and fond farewell from Fremantle, Irish Scene, Issue 5, 2020). Kidogo is an amazing place and the festival was also an incredible opportunity for the Irish and Indigenous cultures to meet and mix. Hopefully it will mark the start of a long tradition of similar festivals here in WA and across Australia. The front cover of this edition of Irish Scene is dedicated to that spirit. At a state government press conference at the start of the demolition of the former Princess Margaret Hospital site, Irish Scene editor Lloyd Gorman met Limerick native Ian Dawson and Noongar man Clive Smith who are working together and with others to create a future for the people of Western Australia. Thanks to photographer Paul McGovern for capturing such a great image of modern day mateship.