Of Course, where you place your vote is entirely your decision.
These suggestions are based purely on prospecting issues and have not been based on consideration of other important matters.
However, if prospectors don't vote on prospecting matters, who will?
22nd November - one week to go and we are still waiting for a response from the ALP and Greens to our Party Questions. The Coalition requested addtional time. Australian Country Alliance have responded in full.
Ripon (a report from the local branch) - The Goldfields Central Branch of the PMAV hase held 2 meetings at Clunes to which the Ripon candidates have been invited in the lead up to the State Election.
National Party candidate, Scott Turner and Country Alliance's, Trevor Domaschenz accepted our invitation to the first meeting.
The second meeting saw Louise Staley, Liberal , Daniel McGlone, ALP and Rod May, Greens accepting our invitation. James Keays, Country Alliance candidate for Buninyong also put in a surprise appearance.
Both evenings were very successful and prospectors felt that the issues they put forward had been listened to. The candidates commented that they had learnt a lot about prospecting and the challenges that were facing us.
Louise Staley gave an undertaking that she would push for the government to do an Economic Impact Statement which she believes is the first step to getting the value of prospecting recognised in an economic sense.
Scott Turner gave the following undertaking for a Victorian Coalition Government:-
· Simplify the regulatory process and reduce the application fee to obtain a Miner’s Right from January 2015. These changes aim to minimise the regulatory burden and application costs for recreational prospectors.
· Increase areas available for recreational prospecting
· Review the list of streams excluded from low impact prospecting under a Miner’s Right – work is underway to identify an initial priority list in consultation with the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria and relevant government agencies.
In summary - a Coalition government is going to be the best outcome for prospectors in this state and I believe both Louise Staley and Scott Turner would make the best ambassadors for prospectors not only in the Ripon electorate but statewide.
However, The ultimate package would be:-
Trevor Domanschenz's passion for country issues
Scott Turner's good looks, stature (he stands head and shoulders above the crowd) and footy background (to get brainless voters votes or, sorry, Richmond supporter votes)
Daniel McGlones legal experience
Rod May chameleon likeability (holy hell he is representing the greens yet he still listened to us and responded without creating a riot!)
Louise Staley's ability to think quickly, her intelligence, ability to get to the crux of the issues, very confident public speaking ability, leadership abilities and her understanding nature.
Who Deserves Your Prospecting Vote?
Final thoughts
26th November, with only 2 days of campaigning left. I have given up hope of receiving a reply from the ALP or Greens. The Coalition's response is on our Party Responses page.
Because of the total lack of interest from the above parties we have no reason to recommend your voting for them.
Basically our suggestions are that you give your prospecting vote to the National Party or Australian Country Alliance as your first option. Second preference Liberals.
Our Q&A page has had some interesting individual responses from other minor parties and independents, but we don't have enough information about the candidates to recommend them.
Remember James Keays, or Ballarat branch president is standing for Country Alliance in Buninyong. Just be careful where the preferences go.
Good luck on voting day, think before putting pencil to paper!