From Nicolette Boele -
Community Independent Candidate for Bradfield
The question I am asked the most is, are you standing again for election in Bradfield?
The answer of course is “Yes, I most certainly am.” Here is why.
The major parties continue to fail us on the structural, longer term issues
Whilst some things are better, thanks in a large part to the independents, the major parties continue to fail us on the structural, longer term issues - such as tax reform for a fairer, more productive Australia and a genuine climate-safe plan for our energy systems.
The other reason relates to how the parties behave and how that impacts our democracy.
The Albanese Government demonstrates a more constructive and collaborative (particularly with the gas lobby) approach to the business of our federal parliament, whilst the Liberal National Coalition runs political distraction with an economically irresponsible nuclear plan. The Coalition also remains toxic and, in some situations, downright dangerous – to people and to our democracy (example, Peter Dutton’s failure to discipline Barnaby Joyce after he incited gun violence against parliamentarians at an anti-renewables rally.)
The reason I have been campaigning all this time, is that I know, particularly from the local referendum result, that an informed and engaged Bradfield understands it deserves better than the representation that it has had for the past 15 years. And I want to leave no stone unturned between now and polling day to make sure that voters in Bradfield have the option to choose better.
Does a cabinet reshuffle mean an election is looming?
If you’ve been thinking about joining me to finish off what Voices of Bradfield started back in 2021, then please don’t wait. We are campaigning NOW! Get in touch and register to volunteer. Our extraordinary Volunteer Manager Carey will find the best way to put you to use. If you can’t volunteer, please consider donating so we can indeed send our own community independent to Canberra to represent us here in Bradfield.
Come join the fun and the privilege that is our democracy. I do this because I know, better is possible.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Nicolette Boele
Community Independent Candidate for Bradfield
BETTER IS POSSIBLE
PS: CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW WEBSITE! Whether you're looking for the latest campaign updates, or ways to get involved, our new site has it all. Take a look at our new website here now.
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Support our community campaign
VOLUNTEER - DONATE - COMPLETE SURVEY
Volunteer with Team Nic today
To those already door knocking – thank you!
Perhaps you’re one of the 205 people we called recently? We’re phoning people on our database (not cold calling!) to chat about opportunities to get involved in our community campaign by volunteering time, donating or filling out our community survey.
We're pleased to report that appointment of volunteers to campaign roles is nearly complete, but there are still some important roles to fill! Email Carey directly if you're willing to learn how to help with social media or coordinate events.
Welcome and thank you to:
- Karina to Candidate Liaison, helping Nicolette out on the hustings
- Emma on fundraising and outreach calls
- Thomas on logistics and 'fixing anything'
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Join us on Sunday September 1 to celebrate!
Did you know that we've knocked 1,000+ doors across Bradfield already?
Come to Magpies Waitara on Sunday, September 1 for an evening of celebrating our volunteers and everything we’ve achieved since the June launch. Enjoy canapes while hearing from Nicolette, connecting with our team leaders, and catching up with our volunteers and supporters. RSVP here.
Who to bring? A voting family member (perhaps your dad? - it's Father's Day after all!) or a friend who may also wish to volunteer.
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Donate to support our community campaign
Last year we showed you how we had invested the funds raised from our first 50 community donors … T-shirts, gazebo, referendum flyer and some stationery collateral.
This year we have been busy investing the funds from our next 100 community donors on laptops and handsets for volunteers doing great work in Campaign HQ, software apps for our volunteer leaders and our volunteers out and about already campaigning!
Soon you will be hearing from our fundraising team what they want our next 200 donors to help invest in! Please donate and make this a truly people powered campaign so that we can do democracy differently.
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Team Nic is out and about in Bradfield |
Young people pizza night
Nicolette had lots of questions from young people over pizza in July: do you have an EV, what do you think of Venom (David Crowe’s book), views on Teals, how do you feel about losing a Teal in the redistribution?
Participants voted in our mock election and counted the ballots to watch preferences flow as candidates were eliminated. That mock election prompted more questions: if you’re without a home address, are you entitled to vote; what happens if you’re serving time?
We’ll do it again and order more pizzas next time!
Knock, knock!
We’ve spoken with hundreds of householders and listened to their issues. Our teams were in East Lindfield last weekend, capturing comments such as:
- My 12-year-old son told me to vote for her
- I'm open to voting independent and I'll check her policies closer to the time
- I don't like the major parties
Watch volunteer Leigh sharing stories from Gordon: YouTube link.
A resident dropped into the office this week because "I received a flyer from Nicolette and Better is a Must". They're now coming to a Meet Nicolette sessions on Wednesday nights in August to ask their questions.
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Upcoming events with Team Nic |
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Accompany our experienced volunteers door knocking!
Walk alongside a buddy and watch how we engage with local residents.
Door knocking continues on most weekends in August. Join our teams in West Pymble on Sunday, August 11, 10am, or find another date that suits you.
- A session lasts 2 hours
- Buddy system to match experienced people with newcomers
- Pre- and post-activity briefing
- Simple data logging tool
Sign up to door knock now
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Meet Nicolette every Wednesday at Team Nic HQ
Come to the office on Wednesdays at 7:30pm to ask Nicolette your questions about her career journey, the skills she brings, and her priorities.
This is the session for you if you’re curious about her past experiences, her vision for the future and how our campaign is engaging with local people. It’s a great way to meet Nicolette and decide how you want to get involved with our people-powered campaign.
Sign up now for Wed August 7
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Celebrate with us on September 1
Our campaign celebration is on Sunday, September 1 at 6pm at Magpies Waitara. {A day later than our Save The Date announcement - we had to find a large enough venue.}
Come and hear what we've achieved in three months. Meet our team leaders before we take a break until late September. Bring a voting family member (perhaps your dad?) or a friend who migh want to volunteer.
RSVP now
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Share your views through our community survey |
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Share your views with Nicolette and her campaign team through our short Community Survey.
We’re keen to hear from you!
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Why a community independent?
IT’S NOT A ‘HUNG’ PARLIAMENT - IT’S A ‘BALANCED’ PARLIAMENT
Remember, during the last federal election, the scaremongering about the possibility that a party may not achieve a majority, resulting in a ‘hung’ parliament? This appeared to be more disastrous than having the party that you didn’t vote for winning!
As the Prime Minister’s popularity slumps, the issue is beginning to be raised again.
Given that over 30% of Australians didn’t vote for either Labor or the Coalition at the last election, there is a real possibility of having a minority parliament next time round. Does it matter? NO!
Zoe Daniel MP puts it succinctly – let’s get away from the negative term, ‘hung’ parliament. It would be a ‘balanced’ parliament – the crossbench is there to make parliament function more effectively. It is not something to be afraid of, on the contrary, Zoe says, “you need Independents to make the government more ambitious and to make the opposition more ambitious, to make them better, to keep them honest, to make them strive to provide vision for the country”.
So let’s delete ‘hung’ parliament from our vocabulary and replace it with ‘balanced’ parliament!
See ABC Insiders – Zoe Daniel on the need for Independents and a balanced parliament – at the 10:18 minute mark … but the whole interview is well worth watching.
BETTER IS POSSIBLE
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Voices of Bradfield's AGM
Voices of Bradfield is holding its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, August 10 at 2pm in Gordon Library. Its members will be hearing reports from the outgoing Executive and electing the new Executive (as is standard at AGMs). Nicolette is a guest speaker.
For more information about membership and the AGM, email [email protected]
Youth Advisory Committee
Ku-ring-gai Council is inviting young people aged 14-24 to join its new youth advisory panel. Applications close Friday, September 13 at 5pm. Learn more here
Local government elections
The next local government elections will be held on Saturday, September 14. What local issues are important to you? Get informed about the candidates standing in your ward.
Voting is compulsory for people who are enrolled to vote in the Ku-ring-gai local government area.
Ku-ring-gai Council residents and ratepayers will be electing a total of 10 Councillors comprising of two Councillors to represent each of the five wards:
- Comenarra.
- Gordon.
- Roseville.
- St Ives.
- Wahroonga.
For more information, head to the Ku-ring-gai council website.
To enrol to vote, visit the NSWEC website.
If you have a local community event that you would like us to share, please let us know
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And finally: Please update your Instagram settings
Political issues no longer automatically on Insta algorithm
Insta has changed its algorithm and that will impact the news you are shown.
It’s super important to update your settings so you can continue to receive important updates about the issues that matter to you – such as politics – we need to have a broad view of issues so that we build understanding and can live more harmoniously alongside with people with whom we don’t always agree.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Nicolette Boele and Team Nic acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to stone, wood and sky. We pay our respects to their Elders and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
© All rights reserved. Copyright © 2024 Nicolette Boele.
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