Page 3 of this week’s Caulfield Leader is particularly interesting in its approach to the newly elected member for Caulfield – David Southwick. Every newspaper has the right to investigate, question, and form an opinion. However, this article leads us to ask several questions of the editorial policy and possibly, ‘undue influence’:
- Why has the Leader decided to focus on David Southwick in a particularly ‘negative light’, especially when the same approach has not been taken with other newly elected MPs?
- Why has the Leader not focused on David Southwick’s PROMISE of community involvement and his assurances in publications prior to the election about the significance of listening to community?
- Why has the Leader decided to implicitly criticise Southwick when we are literally still in the ‘honeymoon’ period post election and parliament has only sat for 3 days thus far?
- The most important question however is: what influence has Glen Eira Council had in promoting negative publicity, especially since David Southwick has been one of the few politicians to express a view on the Caulfield Racecourse issue?
These are all important questions. The electorate will admittedly judge Southwick on his actions OVER TIME, as they will the Leader in its take on various issues.
The article is reprinted below:
Caulfield MP’s first speech shows big pride, little policy
22 Feb 11 @ 07:09am by Jenny Ling
NEW Caulfield MP David Southwick has used his inaugural parliamentary speech to highlight his passion and pride for the area.
The 15-minute speech, delivered to Victorian parliament’s legislative assembly on February 8, mentioned Caulfield’s strong sense of community, shopping strips, abundance of schools and open spaces.
There were brief references to working for better access to Caulfield racecourse and delivering on the Coalition’s platform “of sound economic management and business growth” and ensuring “the child is put first in any policy decisions”.
But specific actions were lacking.
Mr Southwick said the speech “talked about the broader elements” of parliament life and was “meant to set things up in terms of what the longer term goals are”.
So what has the Liberal MP done for the district’s 53,700 residents since November?
Mr Southwick said he helped the flood-affected community of Cohuna, by sandbagging and counselling people with the Red Cross. This month he met Caulfield police and schools with the aim of setting up graffiti removal and a leadership program for youths. Mr Southwick also met with Alfred Health to discuss the future of Elsternwick Childcare Centre.
Glen Eira Debates 
February 22, 2011 at 1:36 PM
I am starting to think that “Jenny Ling” is an alias used by MRC spin doctor Brian Discombe.
February 22, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Someone should educate Jenny Ling about parliamentary process. MPs do not set policy. They are individuals. The party sets policies. MPs argue their case and hopefully get what they want. Perhaps this is exactly what Southwick has been doing? To say ‘where’s the action’ is entirely inappropriate. I ask the LEADER where is your action in really keeping the community informed about the goings on within this council.
Year after year the Caulfield Leader has basically remained ‘neutral’ if not silent on issues that would appear critical of this council. This isn’t reporting – its protecting its own interests and possibly income from advertising. Either the Leader decides to be a fair dinkum newspaper that is unbiased and direct, or it puts up under its banner – brought to you by courtesy of Newton and Burke. Now that would be closer to the truth.
February 22, 2011 at 1:47 PM
I fully endorse what I believe to be an insidious program of censorship at this rag. I’ve written letters to the editor countless times on local issues that never get printed. I don’t buy the argument that the letters are inappropriate or too long. It’s simply that they’re critical of this council and the Leader doesn’t want so much bad publicity for what is probably their major source of income.
February 22, 2011 at 2:43 PM
I’m not a Liberal voter, but I do think this article falls well below the standards we should expect of any newspaper. I also think the timing is questionable. If the post on today’s blog regarding tonight’s council meeting and the Caulfield Racecourse is accurate, then suspicions should be aroused as to the purpose of the article given Southwick’s posters and previous comments on the Racecourse. If it urges him to ‘action’ – then all to the good. But if it is an attempt to denigrate him and his association with community members and possibly councillors opposed to the Racecourse development, then the Leader should hang its head in shame. Not that I think this article will give Southwick one iota of concern. I wish him well in his new position and sincerely hope that election promises are not compromised by such outrageous journalism.
February 22, 2011 at 3:41 PM
And what has Jenny Ling done for GE Leader readers? That is, aside from answering phone calls from Brian Driscombe (MRC) or Andrew Newton (CEO, Glen Eira)and then publishing what it is they wish to say.
This article is appallingly substandard and one wonders how the Leader Newspaper group manages to balance Ms. Ling’s reporting with their statement of “we strive to produce quality newspapers that are the main voice for our readers….and reflect the attitudes and aspirations of their communities”
February 22, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Thought I’d check out what Southwick was saying prior to the election. Here are a couple of quotes from his websites –
A strong believer in giving back to the community, David is heavily involved with a number of community organisations. He is the current President of the Ardoch Youth Foundation, the Chairman of the National Training Board for Virtual Enterprise Australia and a Board Member of Big Brother, Big Sister. In recognition of his work assisting local youth, David was made the City of Stonnington’s Citizen of the Year in 2009.
Born in Caulfield and living most of his life in the area, David is looking forward to being able to make a difference through representing the interest of the local community and fighting for the issues that are important to them
David wrapped up the evening and gave a commitment to fight for a better deal for Caulfield and used the forum as an opportunity to advocate for more open use of the racecourse for the community. Over the coming weeks David will continue to turn up the heat on this issue and will be mounting a strong campaign in the lead up to November on this issue.
February 22, 2011 at 8:46 PM
So now we know that the above blame the MRC, Newton and Burke for the Leader article. Anything else they are responsible for while you have the floor?
February 23, 2011 at 8:54 AM
I don’t like conspiracy theories and try to avoid them. However, if I read the Leader every thing is honky dory in Glen Eira. If call on my own, and other residents, experiences and evidences I find a very different picture – and each time the major players (MRC and Council Administration) are ignoring residents while forging full steam ahead with their own agenda. And nary a word appears in the Leader. So what is it – the power of the advertising dollar or incompetence in the Leader. Either way the Leader fails the people of Glen Eira.