“I DO believe you are correct. Canberra always does better under Labor. No argument here.”

Oops! That was the recently endorsed Liberal candidate for Brindabella Mark Parton tweeting to former ACT ALP Branch secretary Elias Hallaj on May 19, 2014.

In those days Parto’s claim to political fame was as an unelected independent candidate from the 2008 ACT election. But he tweeted on rather prophetically: “I note that U fave any left leaning tweets of mine. I’m assuming if I was ever back in ring again they’d be back to haunt me.” Too right, comrade.

Looking for signs…

THOSE strident critics of Labor’s tram plans, the Canberra Public Transport Alliance, have discovered they have a problem getting the message through.

“Most voters are going about their business and don’t have too much time to think deeply about politics and many avoid anything that smells like politics. They do a disservice to themselves and the rest of us by not investigating further,” bemoans spokesman Russ Morison.

So how to get the bad-tram message across to diffident plebs? Corflute roadside signage, of course. Only problem is they have no dough for the stakes let alone the signs and are calling for donations.

“Our messages need to be short and sharp and not offensive, and above all strategically located,” says Russ.

“This current government have done their hardest to put a financial millstone around voters necks that will certainly mean higher rates. The Auditor-General has indicated the REAL WHOLE OF LIFE cost of Stage 1 Civic to Gungahlin link will cost $1.78billion or $65,000 per household.”

Russ’ll take your donations via dabblers2@iinet.net.au

The cost of a tram

ALSO on the anti-tram platform, but with enough funds to run to postcards, Deputy Opposition Leader and aspiring member for Yerrabi, Alastair Coe, has been busily letterboxing in tram-pampered Gungahlin a flyer that says the cost of operating one tram is equal to 28 buses. Given that only three per cent of Canberrans live within walking distance of a proposed light rail stop, Coe says we’re still going to depend on cars, buses and bicycles.

Oh, to be off the grid

“RESORT-style living and completely off the grid with no water restrictions, no power bills thanks to your own standalone power system and a totally solar passive design,” trills the real estate agent’s blurb.

And all you need to be “off the grid” and free of those troublesome quarterly bills is a lazy $3.6 million and a love of country living.

The 125 hectare estate Millpost, just off the Monaro Highway is on the market with the eco-residence offering “arguably the best views in the Canberra region overlooking the Murrumbidgee River corridor allowing for absolutely breathtaking mountain views.”

All that and a house with three living zones including 6 bedrooms plus separate guest accommodation, a double size chef’s kitchen and two butler’s pantries. More drooling at millpost.net.

Chris Churchill (0417 080460) is the agent. Tell him CC sent you!