Browse > Home / 2010 State Election, News / Pegler launches election campaign

Pegler launches election campaign

Posted on February 9, 2010, 8:08am

Independent candidate for Mount Gambier Don Pegler will fight for better mental health services, more access for regional students to university courses and additional doctors to staff the accident and emergency department at the city’s overstretched hospital.

The Grant district mayor, who has stepped down from his civic role during the election campaign, told the crowd at his campaign launch on Sunday he would lobby vigorously for the local community in the halls of parliament.

Among those gathered at the Blue Lake Golf Links were leading Mount Gambier businesspeople, prominent residents from the farming community and residents.

Others included retiring Independent Member for Mount Gambier Rory McEwen and former Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Mount Gambier Peter Gandolfi.

“Whilst there is a great diversity of people gathered here today, we all have one thing in common and that is the future of Mount Gambier and its surrounding districts — a place that we are all justifiably proud of,” Mr Pegler said.

“Over the past six months I have been repeatedly asked to stand for parliament by people from a very diverse political and social background.”

He said he only announced his candidacy last week because he did not want to confuse his role as mayor and as a political candidate and also wanted to “bed down” the historic boundary adjustment proposal to ensure there was no political scoring.

“Over the next few weeks we will probably hear from Labor how a vote for Pegler is a vote for the Liberals and conversely from the Liberals how a vote for Pegler is a vote for Labor,” Mr Pegler said.

“Let me assure you that a vote for Pegler is a vote for Mount Gambier and not the city based hierarchy of either parties.

“Let me assure you that if elected I will only do deals for Mount Gambier and not for Pegler.”

He said his campaign would focus around critical issues and would not spiral into “personal and political point scoring”.

“The Mount Gambier electorate has a proud history of electing the people that it feels will best represent us in Adelaide and I am sure this history will be repeated.”

But Mr Pegler was scathing of the Liberal Party’s $12m promise to construct a dual highway on the northern gateway to the airport.

“If Father Christmas comes, I would rather see that money spent on the backlog of works for government roads, the installation of more passing lanes on highways, shoulder sealing and fixing dangerous intersections,” Mr Pegler said.

He also promised to lobby for the redundant workers at Nangwarry and the township itself.

Mr Pegler also vowed to help sort out the water issues in the region by protecting current water users while ensuring the sustainability of the water resource.

“The Liberal Party is a state of denial over water use,” he said.

“It is like witnessing someone watching their house burn down, instead of going in and putting it out.”

Mr Pegler claimed he would also fight to ensure that the electorate of Mount Gambier would not be forced to pay for the desalination plant in Adelaide, claiming a two-tier levy system must be introduced.

This triggered applause from the audience.

Tags: ,  

Comments

9 Responses to “Pegler launches election campaign”

  1. hmmm... on February 9th, 2010 12:27 pm 1

    Why waste a vote on someone who is clearly not up to date with modern trends?

    For example Open Universities Australia makes his comment regarding regional students access to university pretty much redundant.

  2. Jason on February 9th, 2010 2:44 pm 2

    Open Universities are not the same as on campus universities. I think it is a very good idea and he will definately have my vote or atleast a preference.

  3. maybe on February 9th, 2010 3:16 pm 3

    His council have done some great things for youths, including a skate park that is in a central location and not treated like something they ‘have’ to provide but won’t support.

  4. hmmm... on February 9th, 2010 3:27 pm 4

    OUA is only different in the sense that it lacks any physical campus. Courses are provided by real universities such as Monash, RMIT, Macqaurie etc…meaning there is no reason why regional students not wanting to move to the city can’t acquire certain degrees. If you can point out any meaningful differences appart from the physicality of a classroom i would like to hear them…but this is getting off topic :)

  5. maybe on February 9th, 2010 3:33 pm 5

    I think it’s more the atmosphere that a campus community creates. Uni’s are more than just degree factories. Half the experience is joining up with like-minded peers and getting involved in the clubs etc.

  6. hmmm... on February 9th, 2010 3:43 pm 6

    maybe: your absolutely right, but my point was that regional students do have greater access to university level studies than previously. I’m not sure what else Pegler can offer.

  7. martin newell on February 9th, 2010 5:11 pm 7

    The labour party are on the nose.
    With comments that some how an open university is like a real residental uni shows that the labour supporters are way out of touch.
    Did Rudd get an open uni pass?
    Open universities are for graduates who want to upgrade or elderly people who have the time and patience to try a uni course.
    I welcome the local Labour supporters of MTG to the real world, where South Australia is Adelaide and Adelaide is South Australia.

  8. Alistair on February 9th, 2010 5:14 pm 8

    Critics of Mr Pegler are more likely to be Liberal supporters than Labor. They’ve got more to lose.

  9. hmmm... on February 9th, 2010 6:57 pm 9

    Martin, I have no idea what you are talking about as you just pluralised Open University. There is only one OUA and the courses, both under and postgrad, on offer are the same as the residential uni providing them.

    As a past OUA student and with numerous friends completing their degree/masters through the organisation I would have to strongly disagree with what you have said. But, you know, being in my mid twenties i’m waayyy out of touch.

Posting of new comments is currently disabled.