Community Alliance Party

Address to the official launch of the Community Alliance Party
Thursday June 12th, 2008
Albert Hall

Making up for Past Behaviour

MIKE CROWTHER
Candidate for Ginninderra

As Ian has just said, I have a Law Enforcement background.  I spent many years talking to and observing criminals.  In my time I have lost count of the number of Criminologists who come into the institutions seeking the answer to the question, “Why do people commit crime?”

Fortunately one researcher, a bloke by the name of Trevor Hershey, asked a better question, which goes to answer the first.  He asked, why don't people commit crime?  What are the inhibitors that stop you and I from waking up tomorrow morning and knocking over the local bank?

Hershey's findings are a prescription for what ails us in today's society. He found:

• People do not commit crime if they have a connection to their community.
• People do not commit crime if they are involved with their community
• People do not commit crime if they if they believe in their community
• People do not commit crime if they have some measure of control within their community.

So when I'm asked “What's Community Alliance' policy on 'law and order?', I say strengthening communities.  Improved early childhood intervention, assisting dysfunctional families, giving our young people a sense of purpose and belonging rather than one of alienation.

I am in a unique position to say this.  No prison, be the regime harsh or humane...be the fixtures and fittings luxurious or Spartan, be the system rehabilitative or punitive…no prison can replace the basic human building blocks provided by a strong, involved community. 

If I've learned anything from 17 years in law enforcement it's this:
The most accurate indicator of future behaviour, is past behaviour. 

So…………..how does our present government react to people who get themselves involved in their communities?

People like Warren Masters who jumped in and saved a four year old child from a savage dog.  The kind of selfless action which, in any civilised society, would see him feted as a hero.  What did our government do when, as a result of injuries he sustained in the rescue, Warren needed some help himself? They ducked and the they weaved and they flick passed him from department to department, till the bad publicity in an election year got to them and they were forced to finally help the man out.

The most accurate indicator of future behaviour, is past behaviour. 

How did they reward the community spirit of the people of Tharwa who fought long and hard to save their school from closing? Tharwa ended up with no school, no bridge and a hefty rate increase. Oh, and their children's school files were 'misplaced' by the Government.

The most accurate indicator of future behaviour, is past behaviour. 

Or the Farrell family from Weston Creek.  What was their reward to lovingly reviving, restoring, and protecting one of their community assets?  They were publicly vilified by the minister before being thrown out of their home and into the street.

This government's message to anyone who attempts to build up their community is loud and clear.

“We run this town, not you.”

Well, I beg to differ.  My colleagues behind me beg to differ, and if I sniff the wind correctly, you people beg to differ as well.

It is my hope that between now and October the eighteenth, we will send this arrogant and out-of-touch government on a learning curve which will stand as a benchmark for governments for years to come.

To wit:  This is our town, these are our schools, it's our public space and our community counts.  And heaven help any future government that forgets it.

Thank you.