Monday, October 12, 2009

Internet referendum for deciding Sydney project funding

Verity Firth MP, Member for Balmain and NSW Minister for Education and Training is conducting a referendum to decide which of 26 community projects in her inner Sydney electorate to spend $300,000 of state government funding on. Residents can vote via the Internet. This is an interesting experiment in direct democracy (discussed at Public Sphere 2 and by Government 2.0) , but there are a few problems with it.

A letter sent to residents from the MP (October 2009) says that residents without Internet access can request a paper voting sheet. However, that information is not on the web site (some residents may have Internet access, but not want to use it to vote).

Also it is not clear why criteria different to state elections have been used for selecting voters. The "register to vote" instructions state that the voter must "... live within the boundaries of the Balmain electorate ...". As a result some citizens who are eligible to vote in state elections in Balmain may have been disenfranchised in this referendum.

In addition the referendum details are on a commercially registered web site ("verityfirth.com.au" registered to "ServEssence Pty. Ltd."). Given that NSW has a history of corrupt practices involving the administration of funds at the local level, it would be prudent for this process to be conducted by the NSW or Australian Electoral Commission and all details to be on a ".gov.au" web site.

Project

Ashfield Municipal Council

Refurbishment of the Haberfield Centre.

Project

Balmain rowing club

Restoration and facility upgrade at Balmain Rowing Club.

Project

Balmain Sailing Club

Refurbishment and upgrade of ladies toilet and bathroom facilities of Balmain Sailing Club.

Project

Birchgrove park support group

The construction of a community cafe/meeting space at Birchgrove Park.

Project

glebe rowing club

Addition of Glebe Rowing Club deck and pontoon construction.

Project

hunter baillie memorial presbyterian church

Upgrade and fix of the hall lighting.

Project

italian forum cultural centre

The Italian forum cultural centre fitout, at Leichhardt.

Project

KU Laurel tree house child care centre

A heating and cooling system is required for the childcare centre.

Project

Leichhardt municipal council

Community playground refurbishment program.

More
Project

Leichhardt wanderers rugby league football and cricket club

Upgrade to the Leichhardt Wanderers Sporting Club.

Project

Little Nicholson Street Playcentre

The playcentre community infrastructure improvements, at Balmain East

Project

NSW Catholic lawn tennis assoc

Renovation and refurbishment of the main clubhouse.

Project

Orange Grove Public School P & C Assoc.

The outdoor playground equipment installation and playground landscaping, Lilyfield.

Project

Police & Community Youth Clubs NSW Ltd

The Glebe PCYC - funding for exterior works of club facility, Glebe

Project

Radio for Print Handicapped of NSW Co-Op Ltd

New air conditioning system for studios, Glebe

Project

Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre Inc

The electrical secure upgrade, Rozelle.

Project

Scout Association of Australia (NSW)

1st Leichhardt Scout Group, the refurbishment of the front entry of the Scout Hall, Leichhardt.

Project

Scout Association of Australia (NSW)

1st Leichhardt Scout Group, the renovation of the rear yard of the Scout Hall, Leichhardt.

More
Project

Scout Association of Australia (NSW)

South Metro Region 1st Glebe Scout Hall (Property Ref 382), the building repairs Scout Hall, Forest Lodge.

Project

St Columbas Parish

The refurbishment of St Columba church hall, Leichhardt.

Project

St Thomas Rozelle Child Care Centre

Upgrade of the staff room and storage shed.

Project

St Thomas Rozelle Child Care Centre

Upgrade to the playground safety, Rozelle.

Project

Styles Street Children`s Community Long Day Care Centre

The replacement of roof and associated oparapet cappings and flashings, Leichardt.

Project

sydney community college

Renovation of the community hall at Rozelle.

Project

The Trustees of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (NSW)

The Refurbishment of Hostel into Outreach for Single Older Women.

Project

Toxteth kindegarten inc

The installation of eco-friendly ventilation at the childcare centre in Annandale.



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