A hard but healthy democracy on show

EDITORIAL

The results of the May 3 Federal Election are now clear, and here on the Central Coast, all three key electorates; Dobell, Robertson and Shortland, have returned their sitting Labor MPs with increased majorities.

Congratulations are in order for Emma McBride, Gordon Reid and Pat Conroy, along with their teams.

They all ran constructive, community-based campaigns that ultimately resonated with voters across our region.

While the margins surprised many, it’s clear that voters responded not just to local efforts, but also to broader national dynamics.

What stood out to me as Managing Editor of this publication was not only the results but the tone of the campaign itself.

Most candidates conducted themselves with politeness and respect, something increasingly rare in political contests globally.

Here on the Coast, people put their cases forward, motivated their supporters, and participated in the democratic process in a spirit we should be mighty proud of.

In many parts of the world, such civility, and indeed, the right to campaign freely at all, is far from guaranteed.

That said, a small tip for future candidates: being unavailable to the media and the public during a campaign rarely plays well.

Voters expect to hear directly from those asking for their trust, and the same applies to us in local media who work to keep the public informed.

It was also heartening to observe a good deal of consensus between major parties and independents on key issues.

Commitments were made, sometimes jointly, to improving maternity services, upgrading critical local roads, expanding successful youth support programs, and backing a range of grassroots organisations.

This kind of shared focus on practical outcomes is exactly what local democracy can deliver.

To all those who participated and lost, we salute you and your teams for the efforts and time put in.

Take heart, the Australian public will be ready to listen to your alternative plans in the future.

Nationally, one can’t ignore the quieter political tone struck by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

His approach, less presidential, more rooted in traditional parliamentary alliance-building, seems to have found favour with Australians looking for stable, collaborative leadership in contrast to some of the more polarised politics seen abroad.

Still, winning an election is only the beginning.

True leadership lies in fulfilling promises and working for all constituents, not just those who cast their votes your way.

We trust our local MPs will keep their doors open, and their eyes and ears tuned to the real concerns on the ground.

At CCN, we’ll continue to report without fear or favour, raising the issues that matter most to Central Coast communities and ensuring those in power stay accountable to the people they serve.

David Abrahams, Managing Editor