Words are powerful! Word Power!

I am restarting a column called Basic Facts that used to appear regularly in other publications.

My aim has always been to present views based on facts. When one knows the “basics” or the “elements” of whatever he wants to do, he stands on solid ground. Simply, the facts inform the readers or listeners, and woven into view to share and understand. When crafted with full of wisdom, the view is a gem, inspirational and a call to action. I try to present positive views, to build and not destroy; encourage, not despair.

My credentials include twenty five years of Filipino-Australian community involvement and moving to mainstream politics. One reason I shied away from politics in the early days was not to be hampered in expressing my views. I understand that to breakthrough in Australian politics is a monumental task and fraught with difficulties. Earlier, I did not join any political party and resisted suggestions to run for a public office.

Being active in the community and instrumental in organising Filipino-Australian organisations in the 80′s and 90′s, having held various positions including being first president of the Philippine Community Council (PCC) NSW, and two-term president of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA), I strongly advocated the concerns of our community in all levels of government.

In one representation at a local council meeting, we handed a petition to honour the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. At the chamber gallery, we watched Council’s deliberations and arguments. It dawned on me the horror of lack of power! The exchanges showed total ignorance of, and an affront to, the Filipino culture. Once again, Filipinos’ “amor propio” was stirred. No one in the Council spoke to defend the honour of Filipinos. Alas, no one will and can passionately do so, only a Filipino can.

My election to the Blacktown City Council in September last year is a culmination of a long journey towards genuine empowerment. It is only the beginning, a small step.

It is a mission to arouse Filipino-Australians especially the youth to take interest in civic leadership and one day, to see them entrenched in all levels of government across Australia. A mission, because its realization will cross the barriers of some strong Filipino attitudes and long-held views inconsistent with the quest for empowerment.

I firmly believe, however, that Filipinos are apt to this challenge and have proved themselves historically. In a way, my election is a small proof. The negatives and the barriers I crossed (often ignored) and be focused on the mainstream community, the know-how of Australian politics, and certainly the strong support of Filipinos in the true spirit of service and empowerment, led us to this breakthrough. As I said after the election, it is a victory for all Filipinos.

This is only a brief introduction and will be expounded in future columns. Let me now comment on my early experience as councillor in the Blacktown City Council.

The 2008 local elections resulted in a diminished Labor Party’s dominance in the Blacktown City Council. There are now 8 Labor Councillors and 7 Non-Labor (Liberal and Independents). With a majority of one, a Labor Councillor was elected Mayor, and so was the Deputy Mayor.

In the first meeting electing the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and assigning committee memberships, I rose to speak for a more balanced Council, that is, a non-partisan, where committees are allocated fairly among all councillors. This would result in greater cooperation and less politics in Council deliberation as well as the use of expertise and ability of all councillors.

This was my baptism of true politics. Labor councillors would have no bar of it. The memory of what was dished out to them twenty years ago by then non-Labor Council was still fresh in the Labor Councillors’ minds. So, all chairmanships of committees are Labor Councillors and memberships of Liberal and Independent Councillors reduced to one major committee, and perhaps another minor sub-committee. I was allocated a membership in the Works and Finance Committee. So now, the Council and all committees are dominated by Labor in spite of having only a majority of one, and in the most Wards in Blacktown, Labor was not elected by the majority of people.

This was my baptism of fire on Labor arrogance! Labor continues to act as if nothing has changed and never learned its lesson.

In the last Council meeting in 2008, I raised and supported three issues.

Firstly, a motion to provide Council with results of the corruption investigation in Brisbane City Council. In light of what happened in Wollongong, I would have thought that everyone will view this as something positive anti-corruption initiative. I spoke at length on the pervasive methods of corruption and its victims, but no, Labor Councillors thought this was an affront to them. There was no insinuation of corruption in Blacktown City Council, and this would have been a welcome step on anti-corruption. Again, politics played its part, and the motion was lost.

Secondly, the Eastern Creek Raceway Precinct is in danger of being a white elephant. The assistance and development for Homebush was passed by the State Labor government notwithstanding objections from many stakeholders including residents, motorsports bodies, and environmentalists. The former Mayor of Blacktown fought hard against this proposal, but the current Labor-dominated Council’s only recommendation was to make further representation in a defeatist, “fait accompli” approach. I called for an urgent deputation and hold the NSW Labor Premier to account.

Finally, I joined the strong objection on how the $2.1m grant to the Blacktown City Council will be spent. Minutes before the meeting, the recommendation on how the funds were divided into five (5) Wards to fund small projects like paving, shelter, cleaning and parks improvement were laid on councillors’ desks in chamber. The proposed resolution was made without consultation or deliberation on an alternative single project that can truly stimulate the economy, and promote employment as envisioned by the grant. While all the small projects are good, they would have been carried out by the Council mostly by council workers. Again, the Labor-dominated Council played politics and approved the recommendation.

Other post/s by Jess Diaz

• Year End Political Perspective - January 1st, 2012
• Provocative: Why Rizal Today? - December 30th, 2011
• A bat to king hit the NSW State Labor! - January 22nd, 2011
• Asylum seekers' dreams ended on Australian shores - January 21st, 2011
• A case in point on mental health - December 4th, 2010