Ask Warren

Friday 12 August 2011

Dear Warren

To what degree do party politics override personal opinion, and what do you do when you don’t agree with party policy?

From: Scott Reynolds, Leichhardt electorate.

Response from Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch.

From my perspective I think it depends on what political party you are affiliated with as to the level of party politics you are compelled to support.

One of the main reasons I chose to join the Liberal Party was the fact that in the Coalition there is a freedom of opinions that is accepted and I am well known for expressing my own opinions which at times don’t necessarily reflect the stated view of the party.

I can do so confident in the knowledge that while I am encouraged to understand party policy and work within its framework, if I feel very strongly on any particular issue I can raise my concerns and if necessary can vote against any policy, comfortable in the knowledge that my preselection will not be compromised.

This, in my view, is the single biggest difference between the two major parties, because any dissention within the Labor Party ranks can result in disendorsement or expulsion from the party.

As a way of example I have spoken publicly against a range of my own government policies including implementation of green zones in the Great Barrier Reef and the implications against the fishing industry, implementation of the superannuation surcharge levy, legal and financial discrimination against same sex couples and the inadequacy of resourcing mental health to name just a few.

Ask Your Pollie

Our elected representatives; Julia Leu (Division 10 councilor), Val Schier (Mayor Cairns Regional Council), Jason O'Brien (State Member for Cook), and Warren Entsch (Federal Member for Leichhardt), are happy to field your questions on the issues you feel passionate about.

Simply click on the image of the politician you'd like a response from and ask away. Your question will be emailed to us at The Newsport and we will seek an answer from that pollie on your behalf.

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