Working from the inside
will get a lot more done
says Bill Cross

Well, the election is almost upon us. After Saturday all candidates will have time to reflect on what we did right and what we did wrong. Win, lose or draw I know that what I set out to achieve has, in many ways, happened.
I set out to try and bring Tennant Creek back from the brink of despair and we have had some wins and some losses but overall, I think, we are a lot further ahead than where we were 18 months ago.
We now have a solid base to work from, with the Northern Territory Government increasing their capital works programs in the Barkly by nearly $3million more for this year when compared to last year. Things are happening! Why not just repair the old building, rather than build a new $1million creche, if we are not going ahead? Why build the largest sleeper factory in the Southern Hemisphere if there is not going to be any more railway development after the Alice Darwin line?
We have achieved this by working with the Chief Minister and Government from inside the team, not by standing outside the door crying about how we aren't receiving our fair share. We still have a long way to go on our road to recovery but I am confident that, with your support, we can continue to have the confidence of the Northern Territory Government so we can continue the growth we are seeing now.
I want my wife and kids to be able to stand tall and proud when they tell someone where they were born. I want everyone to be proud of Tennant Creek and the Barkly Region and the achievments that are possible with everyone working together. Whether it be to stop the current spate of break-ins or to get sport moving again we can, by helping each other, make the difference. I want Tennant Creek to be famous, not as the town that has Thirsty Thursday, but as the town that pulled together and beat the odds.
After the election we must forget politics and concentrate on how we can work together to make the Barkly a better place for our children. They are our future.
Let's make the Barkly, whether you may be black, white or brindal, somewhere we are all proud to call home.
We can do it!

Which is it Bill?
asks Elliot McAdam

"The CLP have treated the Barkly fairly," said Bill Cross on ABC Radio Thursday 9th August 2001.

"Tennant Creek has gone backwards," says Bill Cross's campaign material.

"Let's bring the Barkly back." CLP Barkly slogan.

Which is it Bill? If Tennant Creek and the Barkly have gone backwards and you need to bring it back, then who is to blame if the CLP have treated us fairly?
I, like most people in the Territory, believe that unless you live on the northern side of Palmerston you get nothing. Do you think it would make any difference - with a CLP Government - which party holds the seat?
You talk to the people in Victoria River and the four seats in Alice Springs and they will tell you how they have been starved of funds. Funnily enough, the CLP hold all those seats. So does it really matter what party holds the seat?
The facts of the matter are that the CLP only cares about Darwin. This logic is based on the realisation that pork-barrelling Darwin has been the only way the CLP has held onto power.
I don't believe that the Barkly has been treated fairly by the CLP. It is important that we all set our goals higher. I can tell you now that I will set my targets higher than the CLP candidate obviously does.
Labor headed into this campaign with a vision. Our discussion papers have been made public over a two-year period. All our commitments have been researched and fully costed by leading economists Access Economics.
Labor is heading to Election Day ready to govern. Labor is committed to treating ALL Territorians fairly and equitably no matter where they live. Only Labor can guarantee an open and transparent Government.
On Saturday, over 450 people (at two functions) had the opportunity to say good-bye to Maggie Hickey. Maggie has served the Barkly with pride and dedication over her 11 years.
The proof of Maggie's commitment and success in the Barkly has been her ability to deliver for countless constituents without fanfare. You don't increase your majority in each election, as she has done, by sitting back doing nothing or not lobbying hard for your electorate.
While we do have problems - like every other place in Australia - the only way to work through them is by co-operation. Tennant Creek has a great record of tackling social and economic challenges itself without relying on favours from government. I am proud to have been involved with this, long before becoming the Labor candidate.
Can the CLP candidate say the same?