I understand why people are frustrated at the moment.
The cost of living is hurting. Housing is unaffordable for too many people, rents keep going up, our health system is under pressure and regional communities are still fighting to get their fair share.
People have concerns about immigration, infrastructure, services and whether governments are actually listening. Those concerns are real, and I don’t think we should dismiss people for having them.
But we also need to look beyond what politicians are saying and consider what they would actually do.
If you’re thinking about voting for someone, have a look at their policies. Do their solutions address the things you’re concerned about? Can they deliver what they’re promising? How will they pay for it?
If they’re already in Parliament, check their record. Look at how they’ve voted on the issues that matter to you and your family. What politicians have actually done can tell us a lot more than what they’re saying now.
I’m not just talking about Pauline Hanson and One Nation. The same scrutiny should apply to Labor, the Coalition, the Greens and independents. We should all be prepared to question the people we support.
We also need to think about where we’re getting our news and information.
Just because someone is on TV, radio or Facebook doesn’t necessarily mean what they’re saying is impartial reporting. It may be their opinion or interpretation of events. There’s nothing wrong with listening to opinions, but we should know the difference between opinion and straight reporting.
None of us is immune from hearing something that confirms what we already think. I know I’m certainly not.
We’re not all going to agree, and that’s okay.
Whatever matters to you and your family, look at the policies, check the record, question what you’re being told and decide for yourself.
Make them earn your vote.
Robyn Lang is the Secretary of the Tamworth Regional Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc.
(TRRRA). She is actively involved in community advocacy and local issues across the Tamworth region, with a focus on community participation, clearer access to information, and helping local voices be heard on issues affecting the region.