I would like to congratulate the local government on its commitment to fixing the Telegraph Road Level crossing. I would like to thank all those people who worked with the Telegraph Road Action Group to get this issue on the agenda. It is important that we as a community keep both Local and State Government honest on this issue. As some projects announced are conditional on State Government cooperation we as a community must keep the pressure on both levels of government.

Please continue to visit www.justincampbell.org and www.fixtelegraphroad.com to follow the progress on this issue. At this stage details how the government plans to fix Telegraph road are limited.

Last thursday I was on Brisbane Line on 4ZZZ. Here is the  radio interview if you missed it. Click Here

"Recently concerned residents of Bald Hills and Bracken Ridge have raised concerns that the members of local sporting teams are resorting to mowing their clubs sporting fields. The local soccer and cricket team have stopped the council contractors from 'maintaining' the fields because the fields are often cut too short and as a result is unacceptable for sporting use.

A community spokesperson said, "When the current contractor does mow the field it often takes a month for the field to recover to a level which is acceptable for the game of soccer or cricket." Many of these members are hard working mums and dads who pay their rates and already sacrifice countless hours so their children can enjoy playing sports.

I believe that these local heroes deserve our support and don't deserve a kick in the teeth. We the residents of Bald Hills and Bracken Ridge are paying for a job to be done right. If the current contractor lacks the skill to maintain sporting field to an acceptable standard, then the contract should goto a company that will do the job these mums and dads deserve."

   The environment is a huge issue in modern politics. Global warming as an issue has the power to change governments. However, the environment is more then just Climate Change. Many of the less glamorous issues are just as important. To name a few habitat destruction, waterway protection and the ever increasing rate of species irradiation are all major issues.

The waste produced by human development posses one of the greatest threats to the environment. Clean up Australia Day is a great way to get everyday people involved in protecting the environment. As residents of Bracken Ridge we  all need to contribute to a cleaner environment.

  The recent focus survey I conducted found that 90% of Bracken Ridge  residents felt not enough has been done to discourage people from litter, with many respondents stating that the current laws are not being enforced by local authorities.

Although stricter laws on litter maybe useful the best solution is prevention. Clean up Australia Day has dramatically increased awareness of the problems possed by waste and the importance of recycling. There now is an entire generation who for every year or their education participated in clean up Australia Day. (myself included)

In the spirit of that education, I invite you all to join me at 10.30am on the 2nd of March 2008 at the Telegraph Road Level Crossing to help clean up Australia.

Brisbane City Council Campaign Launch

 

 Many of you are here because you have decided to stay with the Australian Democrats in our hour of need.  Others are here because you share personal relationships with James and me.  Fundamentally, if we are able to succeed as a political force in Australia, we as a party need to forge a personal relationship with the people we aspire to represent.  We need to identify with the people’s ideas and values.

 The success of my campaign, to this point is based on listening to the residents of Bracken Ridge.  My campaign is based on the British Liberal Democrats’ campaign strategies.  Fundamentally, this strategy turns candidates into champions of the every day person’s hopes and aspirations for their community.

No amount of resources or political spin can compare to voters having their own views and concerns addressed. If we are to build a caring and compassionate society, we need to start with the concerns of the individual.  We need to base everything we do on the concept of respect for the rights of the individual.

 We need to stop pigeonholing people into specific political ideologies.  My “FIX TELEGRAPH ROAD” campaign has been successful because the failure to address this problem has attacked people’s right to feel safe and secure.  I have found this issue has cut across the political spectrum and I’ve received support from a broad range of people.

 When we are adamantly opposed, we need to advocate our position at a personal level.  Local government is the most accessible and democratic form of government.  Local government gives us the best opportunity to champion the aspirations of every day people.

 I would like to thank some people for their support and hard work so far.  Faye, Dad, Vicki, Anton, Mindy and The campaign team!!!

I hope you enjoy the movie."

The Telegraph Road campaign is on the March. Thanks to the support of people like you. Amanda Cooper has committed to a feasability study and Sean Waugh (the Labor candidate) has made it an election promise. Bonny Barry the member for Aspley has also committed the State Government to replacing Telegraph Road with an overpass.

However, we can not rest. We must continue with this campaign getting more signatures on our petition. Currently there is 60 signatures but we need at least 500. If you haven't signed already download it now.

Hi everyone,

The clock is counting down and we have been very sucessful in getting our message out.   However to continue the fight we need to raise funds. This is where YOU can help. QYADs is holding a movie fundraiser showing There will be blood". A light lunch will be provided and both candidates myself and James Gardner will give a short speech to offically launch the Brisbane City Council Campaign. The cost is $25 for a normal price ticket, 16 for a aged or disabled pension and $20 for a student.

On Wednesday the 30th of January 2008 the Telegraph Road Action Group held its first meeting. We had four people show up and  several others took the time to email me wishing  us luck and gave their apologies. This first meeting was mostly a chance to meet other people concerned about Telegraph Road. However, all  members  thought a letter writing campaign was a good extenstion to the current  petition. I also gave a firm commitment to continue with the Action group after the election.  All  members present agreed that the current inaction by council and the blame game being played by  councilor Amanda Cooper needs to stop.  The views of all present  was summarized best by  Action  Group Member Rosemary Henricks when she said " It's not politics its safety."














Telegraph Road Action Group - From the Left Sharon Mchagan, Rosemary Henricks, Justin Campbell, Danny Campbell. (George Blair-West was also present but was came after the photo was taken)

On sunday I was door knocking around Telegraph Road in Bracken Ridge. I managed to get 20 signatures for the Telegraph Road Level Crossing petition and had the opportunity to talk to local residents. Issues they raised included, the inability of motorist to turn right from Mustang Ave onto Telegraph Road during peak hour. This effectively means the entire housing estate behind Telegraph Road is cut off from the Bruce Highway. Other issues were support for the idea of alchool free youth events in the area, a council produced monthly pamphlet with upcoming events in the area and parking for Bracken Ridge Park.  If you have any issues you would like to raise please email me on mail@justincampbell08.com or 0421-183-809.

Hey everyone,


I'm excited to launch  my new  campaign posters  I've got one for Cat Registration and another for the Telegraph Road campaign. Have a look and if you want to put one up in your front yard please contact me on either 0421-183-809 or mail@justincampbell08.com

Last saturday I held a small protest on Telegraph Road. The purpose of the protest was to encourage council to take the safety risks of non action seriosuly. The response from motorist and pedistrians alike was extremely positive. I recieved many beeps and thumbs up in support.

Today I'm  proud to launch  the Telegraph Road Level Crossing petition.  Currently the petition is being distrubuted to all letter boxes in the surrounding  area. Currently 40 people have already sign and the momentium is gathering fast.

I'm also starting the Telegraph Road Action  for Insection Change (TRAGIC ). The purpose of TRAGIC is to continue to put presure on the council after the election. Both Amanda Cooper (Liberal) and Sean Waugh  (Labor) have both listed Telegraph Road as being an important issue. However, Telegraph Road has been an issue for at least a decade and we have a Liberal Lord Mayor and Labor controlled council despite this nothing has been done or annouced to fix this dangerous  intersection. Giving  little crediablility to either Amanda or Sean.

The petition is availabe for download in pdf format in the Telegraph Road section  of the site.

In Queensland political parties must have over 500 active members to be a registered with the Queensland Electoral Commission. The result of this is undemocratic; it prevents small political parties like the Australian Democrats from endorsing candidates. This leaves only one option for members of minor political parties who choose to run at either level of government. The only option left is to run as an independent. Combined with Queensland’s lack of an upper house it is almost impossible for small parties to get elected. Even if members of minors parties do get elected their status remains as an independent. Queenslanders deserve a more Democratic state and the broadest possible representation in their parliament. The Queensland government must eliminate these restrictions on minor parties. This would be a small but important start to a more representative parliament for Queenslander.   

Today Western Australia came dangerously close to having blackouts. Due to a failure at one of WA's power plants Perth was only at 80% of its usually power capacity. Despite pleas from  authorities Western Australian's did not switch off their air conditioners and reduce their power usage. Perth came very close to having blackouts but at the last minute extra power was found. This incident shows the problems that occur when Government moves the responsibility for reducing energy use to households and industry.

This has implications for Australia's ability to reach its Greenhouse gas target. It shows that the government needs to create a market place were industry and consumers must be more efficient with power and source it from more carbon neutral sources. Industry and households will continue to waste energy and grow unsustainability unless government creates a framework that outlines a path to carbon neutral future.

At the local level the Brisbane City Council needs to set worlds best practice building standards. Too many developments are built that are poorly ventilated and insulated. The increased cost of properly insulating new homes is negligible compared with the cost of upgrading an old home. Building homes that are designed to cope with Brisbane's climate should be standard and not something execptional. Brisbane families should not have to waste hundreds of dollars ever year air conditioning their homes six months of the year. Sustainable development can be done, should be done and if the Australian Democrats are elected will be done.

The campaign is in its early days but please keep watching this site soon there will be plenty of great content. Today was also my first day back at work that was difficult. Its really going to be a challenge to balance work, personal and political life.

Also while your here please sign up to the mailing list. I will be sending digital copies of my newsletter out as soon as there available.

Regards,

Justin   Campbell