WA: MP urges Gandhi-like protest about bush services

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2007
WA: MP urges Gandhi-like protest about bush services

By Liza Kappelle

PERTH, Aug 8 AAP - A National Party MP is urging a Mahatma Gandhi-like campaign of
civil disobedience in Western Australia to protest the axing of public services in the
bush.

Max Trenorden, member for Avon, says six country police stations were recently closed
in the Wheatbelt and there is a proposal afoot to downgrade a hospital.

He wants people to highlight grievances about losing services in the bush by increased
reporting of crime and health complaints.

"I am not saying break the law but to stretch it as far as you can," Mr Trenorden said.

"Services are driven by statistics. When you see someone unusual walking past the back
lane, ring the police.

"When the kids are sick with a cold, take them to hospital.

"What I am saying is if you want these services you can't be silent about it, you have
to make a protest, like Mahatma Gandhi did with his civil disobedience."

Mr Trenorden said he was frustrated about his dwindling ability to represent his electorate
following the passing of Labor's one-vote one-value laws that ended vote weighting in
favour of rural votes and slashed the number of country seats.

"I have an enormous list of grievances at a time when things should be going okay.

Since the advent of one-vote one-value, the Labor government has just turned off the tap
to regional areas."

National Party members from southern Albany are also urging a form of civil disobedience
- they want members to ignore daylight saving when the second leg of a three-year trial
begins later this year.

WA Premier Alan Carpenter said he could not take Mr Trenorden's proposal seriously.

"What he's suggesting is bizarre, almost lunatic, and to associate his name in that
way with Mahatma Gandhi, is quite remarkable," Mr Carpenter said.

"Some country towns are going to have their schools closed, are going to have their
services taken away as their populations decline, that has always been the case.

"But look Max is under pressure, he's fighting for his political survival, pre-selection
for the National Party ... Max trying to establish his bona fides as a candidate."

AAP ah/lk/cp/jlw

KEYWORD: TRENORDEN

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