Good you on Jim, tell it how it is, even though Craig Kelly (Federal member for Hughes)and Mellanie Gibbons, the Liberal candidate are suporting the community in this most important issue of rejecting the Moorebank Intermodal "prpoposal" Their party platform does NOT.... We have been shet on by SIMTA in replacing a 20,000 job creating project, which would have been a "Technology Park" by the dismally inadequate 1,700 intermodal job prospect.

Mr Jim is one of the most honest and hard working person I hane ever met in our area. He always makes time to say hello and has fespect for different types of people. He has given 1005 to us for years and he deserves your support. We know he will be working for us as he is a man of his word. Go Jim Go

Residents of Menai electorate should vote for jim as the major parties are selling us down the river by advocating the Freight Hub and container terminals which is going to destroy the health of residents in the south west by the diesel emmissions of locomotives and diesel trucks which has been proven overseas to kill people.The trucks will go everywhere to avoid the gridlock which would include travelling down the shire as time is money for them.It is quite obvious the major parties have no concern for the health and well being of the residents as they have completely disregarded our overtunes.If you dont vote for them you will threaten their power base John Anderson wattle grove.0409368603

This guy certainly deserves to win. I have watched his honesty, integrity, sincerity, dedication and hard work for the last 20 years. He is fair dink-um about his motives and intentions. A very ordinary guy but with solid guts and firm resolve to have the job done with whatever perseverance and persistence it takes. He will deliver what he promises. A real people's person who is not influenced by anything except his own ethics and principles.

Jim thank you for having the character and conviction to stand as an Independent. After the potty-mouth Mayor of Liverpool offered to put your genitals on a plate, you stood up to her and showed your strength of character. I hope your quest is successful.

Wow - A pollie with ideas and a backbone!!! Good luck Jim

The Labor and Liberal parties don't deserve the support of voters. I would prefer to support an Independent such as Jim McGoldrick and hopefully give the major parties a scare and the message they cannot rely on voters supporting them all the time.

Jim is a local and a man of integrity , honesty and sincerity. He has extensive knowledge of the area we live in and understands the concerns of its people He is not afraid to say it as it is .He has been the forerunner in our struggle against the proposed airport and Moorebank Intermodel Terminal. He will ensuring a much need balance of power is maintained in the State Government. I have not been able to obtain a yes or no answer from Barry O'Farrel on his support for the Moorebank Intermodel Terminal.Jim does not have any hidden agenda. He needs all the support he can get. I urge the people of this region to give him the much needed support

It is time for all politicians to rethink again we are not just voters during election time, enough is enough , we are the tax payers, the struggling families, the people who need justice and someone to go to when the power and profit comes before Health and safety? It is time for Politian’s to rethink again that we have brains and we are not stupid to believe there lies and to notice that they do not care 1% about our simple needs, we do not need Party Policies, Leaders slogans, debates and stunts, we need actions, yes or no, black and white. At last we will have a genuine Candidate who have proven through the years that he works for people, listen to people, knows our issues , approachable, working day and night to fight for us and most importantly his “soul” does not belong to any Party Leader ; I have said this before and I am saying it again, what is the reason of having MPs no matter what their views are if there duty of care belongs to their major party instead of looking after their people who Voted for them???? DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PEOPLE. Jim is down to “People’s” earth and worthy to give him my vote.

Good on you Jim. Its about time both parties start taking area seriously.

I have been trying to make up my mind for the last few months in what direction I should take in respect of the forthcoming state election. Labor is no good, nor is the liberal party, no point in not voting at all. Then out of the blue comes a third option, JIM MCGOLDRICK who is standing as an independent in the seat of Menai. For those who don’t know Jim, he has supported our community, be it as a councillor or an individual since my family moved to Wattle Grove 15 years ago. How Jim gets through his work load I will never know. It’s not uncommon to receive an email that he has sent at 2.30 in the morning when most of us are fast asleep. With the issue of the Intermodal Freight Terminal proposal we now have a candidate who is fighting this proposal from the heart. There is no BS in Jim’s election platform; he simply wants what's good for the community. We should all get behind Jim and vote 1 McGoldrick Jim Independent on the 26th of this month. Let’s stick it up the mayor parties who have taken little notice of our call for help and cries that they drop the outrageous proposal to build these massive killer facilities in our backyard. b

Jim is the only pollie to say what he stands for and what he will do for us and takes action now to prove it. Everyone else is just lying or avoiding the question. Jim has put our needs first by fighting to stop this Intermodal and the destruction it will cause to us all in our communities. This is a no brainer - Vote for Jim and he will work for us to get results we want. He will not give up. Vote for the others and they put party politics first - your rights second. They will just tick the box. Think about your future and your kids future - don't let our great suburb be destroyed. Together people power can make a difference. We can be heard as Jim has proven in the past. Its up to you. Vote Jim - vote for action - for our future.

I personally witnessed this guy put his nuts on the line and demonstrate against his own party at the State Labor Party launch. He did this because, like the rest of us, he is sick to death of incompetence, lies and deceit of the major parties. He is committed to the betterment of this electorate and willing to put in the yard to get things done. I have resided in this electorate for 35 years and the biggest threat it has ever faced is the proposed twin intermodal project at Moorebank. This will have such a destructive impact on the health of the residents of this electorate, yet both major parties and the Greens could not care less. Our local Federal Member Craig Kelly is supporting the local community, however, his party is against us. As are both sides of State politics. I have been a Liberal voter al of my life. Not this time Abbott and O'Farrell. You have let me and all the residents of this electorate down. A vote for Jim is the only vote one can make if they are opposed to intermodals.

I have always maintained that we need more dedicated independents and less party politicians. It brings a more realisitc approach to government at all levels. This is an opportunity to send a message to major parties without using the Greens as a protest vote. I’m sure those that know you will support you, best of luck Jim. Clr Peter Harle

It's time for us the local community to have a voice who really support us, with no hidden agenda or election promises that disappear one day after the election. It's time to say no to parties who can't have long term planning and who don't care about communities. Labour or Liberals will NOT LISTEN, simply because they DONT CARE and always seek cheap quick wins. Our PM is a back stabber, so what do you think of the whole labour party? The liberals want to win the next federal election but are too weak to do it, and are just throwing ideas and false promises in a weak trial to do so? The Greens have their own agenda with the EXTREME in every aspect being at the top of it, regardless of what the item is. OMG it scares me to think that the above are our main political parties. With that in mind, lets at least from a local perspective elect someone who we know cares, who we know have us and our community in mind. Let’s stand for our rights.

People power should rule, it is about time we had a straight shooting candidate in our electorate. this guy Jim McGoldrick truly cares for his community. He has already proven that. He will take on issues for you even if he does not agree with you. He takes it on because he respects your right to be represented. This is a top bloke who I highly recommend. Its about time the people have a win.....not the parties.

Let's all stand behind Jim McGoldrick as an independent as the major parties both clamour to try and blame the other for the Proposed Moorebank Intermodal's. If they are blaming each other for it then why aren't both Labor and Liberal saying they stop it. Clearly the local Labor and Liberal candidates for the Menai electorate have been told to pay lip-service to residents in the full knowledge that neither of the major parties is going to stop this development.

If you need proof that Jim is fair dinkum. He stuck his neck out recently to organise a protest against the Government on the 2 Proposed Moorebank Intermodals. He went against the Labor party of which he was a member of at the time and has since resigned. Would any of the other candidates be prepared to do this and stand on their principles. What happened on that day, the Labor party sent their heavies to photo and video of us protesting which they are entitled to do but one wonders why. When that wasn't enough and when they were exposed they called the police. Shows you how gutless the Labor party is.

About time we had an honest polition that will stand for the people and what the consider is the right thing. So relieved I don't have to vote Lib or Labour or Greens as they just want to look after their own votes with lips service and no action

It won’t be long before you have all of Liverpool chanting “We Are Not Going To Take It Anymore”. Truly inspirational. Jim, you’ve deservedly gained yet another vote!

Jim - you have fulfilled my prediction over the last six months that you would leave / get kicked out of the Labor Party and stand as an Independent "who is for the people". And you do have a notorious history for running as an Independent to fit a Labor strategy. Perhaps I should not judge your motives. But you can show your intentions are proper by loudly announcing a preference vote to the Liberals. You know as well as I do that a lone 1 vote for any candidate who is NOT in the government party exhausts the vote when they are ruled out in the count. Jim you know this is a very effective electoral strategy. Indeed if you are serious in getting elected you need to preference with the Liberals just as I have had to do in the Seat of Liverpool. Vote exhaustion happens when a voter's number 1 vote cannot be allocated to keep another candidate alive against the major party - here being Labor. In 2008 Mayor Waller was elected with 35% of the vote because of vote exhaustion. So it is a fact that anyone working on polling day for a Candidate who does not extend preferences on their How To Vote forms is in effect working for the Labor Party in western Sydney seats. In Liberal held seats, the same effect is to the benefit of the Liberal Party. The Greens and the Christian Democratic Party are not recommending preferences. As we know they are at different ends of the political scale and both are not serious about local issues. They are there to simply promote their Upper House tickets. These Parties attract 1 votes without advising of preferences that sees these "exhaust" in favour of Labor in the West or the Liberals in the East and North Shore. They are in fact agents for the status quo. In my view the local does not matter to them. So Jim, to effect change in our region you need to have registered your How To Vote by now with a preference to Liberal before Labor. Can you confirm this? Michael Byrne : Independent Candidate Seat of Liverpool The only serious Candidate with the freedom to campaign against the Moorebank Intermodal in Parliament.

I agree with Michael, although I can see Jims point of view of letting the voter decide. Remember the debacle of the Liverpool Council Mayoral Election? Do we really want that to occur in the State Election? The great mechanism about our preferential voting system is that it can truly represent voter’s choices. It allows a voter to say I would prefer this party or person to be my number one choice and if I can’t have that then this is my second, third etc., choice. I would not leave that up to someone else that has placed their 2nd and 3rd preferences which could override my first choice. The dangers of protest votes are well known and have resulted in parties and individuals with much more power than most voters intended them to have. The present Federal Government makeup is testimony to that! I would suggest voters place Jim 1 and at least a realistic second and third choice, which would be Labor or Liberal. Making Greens the 2nd choice sends the wrong message, unless of course the voter agrees with their policies of a Carbon Tax on fuel, Global Warming, Death Duties, same sex marriages, abortion and a host of Environmental issues that will affect everyone’s hip pocket.

Mr Byrne, you constantly go on about Mayor Waller winning with 35% of the vote at the last Council elections. You sound like someone who has sour grapes because you didn't win. Why don't you tell us all what percentage of the primary vote you received at the last Council elections and then tell us all why you think that you should have won the Mayor's job with less of the primary vote than Mayor Waller. According to the Electoral Commission website you only received around 11.5% of the vote or about 1/3 of Mayor Waller's primary vote. You say that people should put preferences but doesn't this play into the hands of the major parties anyway.

To be fair, the local pollies both Liberal and Labor including local Councillors have said that they are against the Moorebank Intermodals, irrespective of their party’s stance. Federal Liberal Member Craig Kelly and local Liberal Candidate Melanie Gibbons as well as the current Labor member Allison Megarrity have all spoken out against the Intermodals. So don’t judge Labor or Liberal too harshly, a second or third preference to either will be better than just a 1 for Jim. In my view, the person least listening but with most power is the Federal Labor Minister Anthony Albanese.

Jim is an independent, has has NO ties with Labor party after resigning formaaly prior to nomination. No preferneces will be given to any other candidate when you vote 1 only for Jim..... Preferences go both ways, none of the other candidates have offered Jim any preferences as far as I am aware. People are intelligent enough to make up their own minds who to put as 1 and and if they think any other cadidate is WORTHY of their TRUST they can continue in 2,3 etc. The Menai electorate can not be taken for granted by either major party, that will be the message from these elections!

Both Craig and Melanie are champions; I applaud them both for listening and supporting the Hughes and Menai constituents' opposition to the Moorebank Intermodals at parliamentary and party level. They are both good people but party politics get in their way, which is directly opposite to the needs and wishes of the communities they represent / hope to represent. Because of the party platforms in approval of the Moorebank Intermodals, in both the Liberal and Labour camps that precludes both from a 1 vote if you are serious in your opposition to the Moorebank Intermodals. That leaves the Independent Jim Mc Goldrick as the significant alternative for a 1 vote.

I suspect there has been quite some ghost writings in the article and some comments from new commentators. Almost like a campaign organised from the back rooms of Sussex Street. John Mannering: You are correct to point out my 11.7% vote. It displays that I comprised 15% of the 65% who did not vote for Waller/Labor at the 2008 Mayoral election. My count worked up to 19% with preferences and I was just behind the Liberals who had 22%. The Mayor was sitting still on 39% after preferences. This underlines my point. Preferences put me above Phil Sim who had 14.2% but as he did not recommend preferences 8000 votes were exhausted and the Libs and I stayed still. I repeat my view again that Jim is up to his old tricks - this time exhausting votes by boldly declaring a pox on both houses and knowing such a 1 vote favours only his old Labor comrades. I ask why would Jim not assist the Liberals who will be in power and overseeing the SIMTA site approvals? Especially as Ms Gibbons is a shoe in. This is bad, naive, silly and costly politics all around. On a more positive note I will be offering an opportunity on how to campaign against the Intermodal on StreetCorner this week. Cheers to all Michael Byrne www.localforlife.com.au

Don't assume people don't know how to vote. Concentrate on what you will do for your community as if you're going to be elected, not with a defeatist attitude as if the Liberals have already won. This election will be a lot closer then what many of you might think..... Wouldn't it be great to have a local independent in the Menai electorate as the one to cast his vote to form government! The Menai electorate would be the toast of the town with both Labor and the Liberals cap in hand pandering to his every wish.... With Barry O'Farrel flip flopping on policy from one day to the next, not knowing which way is up or down, people will be wary of the Liberals as well. Bob Brown hasn't done the Greens any favours with his illegitimate Carbon Dioxide Tax. That leaves the CDs and Independents with a real chance this time around. Mr Byrne has already sided with the Libs so we can hardly view him as an independent! Or will he do an Adam Bandt, collect the Liberal preferences and when elected, side with Labor?

You have obviously read my comments Ray but not comprehended. Is there any hope? Your response countered your first statement. Political thugs like Paul Lynch and time servers like Alison Megarrity ( yes,, we have locked horns over the years) love you blokes. Concerning me "supporting" the Liberals, there are political realities where you need to weigh up the best outcome for Liverpool, and act accordingly. I am not afraid to do that. I am playing golf tomorrow early, so it is off to bed for me. Good night. MJB

Mr Byrne, only Libral Actions will show you that they are not better than Labor at all; both Leaders Abbott and Barry have shown there support to the go ahead for the SIMTA and Government Intermodals, so why you think the Librals will Support us in this issue? From where you have got this idea??? Before accusing Jim and playing politics, think like an Independent and see the facts first? Yes Melanie is campaigning for No Intermodal and this is good, but what about her Leader? her decision maker? You are saying Political realities, what about Democracy? What about what People wants? Both Labor and Libral do not want our votes, they have rejected it us in all shapes and forms, they have ignored us totally, and treated us as if we do not exist? Why should we give them our votes? Jim is honest and is working hard for the community, please keep your ideas to yourself and to your Librals, while you are playing Golf, he is Rallying with his community against their issues.

Mr Vangry You have misunderstood my comments. I do not discuss the merits of each Party and their position on the Intermodal. In reality both Parties stand for it in the obvious public interest of it and in the absence of anything firmly said to the contrary. My comments are meant to shine light on the behaviour of a rabble rouser style politician with a history of running in elections to influence the vote in Labor's interest. I explained the act, its political effect and have given "honest, hard working Jim" the opportunity to respond.

Look. The bottom line is we saw Mazhar Hadid who at the rally stated. This will go ahead over my dead body. To no comments. We saw Ned Mannoun from we can beat this to maybe we should get the best possible outcome. As a reader what does this say to you? That we were in S""T that although these guys have/had there hearts in the right place. Their leader was singing another tune. Barry O actually commented on the radio that he wasn't "sure" of the location. Why now quiet? Because it is the cheapest solution as his advisors have most probably now told him? What choice did the people have but to ask Jim to run as an independent? Liberals werent showing full resolve to push it out further in a safe location nor were Labor. As for preferences its not Liverpool CBD, full of unknowing refugees. Surely these guys will know what to fill out second and third. Michael your right to give it to the Liberals because Lynch preys on peoples innocence. He is not labelled the master manipulator in his political arena for no reason. I felt sorry for those people at the pollie forum. He has really brainwashed them. And what do they get in return for their loyal support. Pittance. I am shocked at that article in the leader and I am going to give Ned Mannoun, Mazhar and Tony the benefit of the doubt. To go to the states and to receive so much info and not to utilise it. Ned gave me a quote in the states about a life worth living. To gain so much info and not fully utilise it? Does not fall within the quote. But as I said, these guys have their heart in the right place. I find it hard to believe that they will distance themselves from residents the people they represent. Tony with his passion. I hope I am not wrong. That was a disgraceful article in the Leader. But when you are fighting for truth whats right and have truth on your side such an article will not stop the tide.

Get Melanie along with Mr O Farrell to come out publicly and say the intermodal is going to be pushed out further in no mans land well away from people. They will extend the southern Sydney freight line to go alongside the new Rail link. Or out further past Campbelltown. And theres bye bye Jim. That hasnt happened and is it going to happen in the next week? So ones asking the people to their trust into what?

Ok, Mr Byrne, so you just want to Jim to comment and say he is not running as an Independent to influence the vote in Labor's interest? Are you serious? I am not Jim’s spokesman, let him reply or not, I don’t care. But I am a resident who thinks that we do not have democracy anymore, and I rather vote for actions. Are you saying in order not get the Labor in Government our only option to vote is Libral??? What a Joke ? why ? they are the same as Labor; they are liars , changing their policy every day, or do not have policy, or against our Interest , they are looking for Profit before people using our tax money for the big corporations, same as Labor. Yes maybe the reality if Jim did not win then we did not “HELP” the Librals, so then be it, a clear message to them, they do not want my vote, they have slapped me in the face, then I am not helping them.

Mr Byrne, why don't you concentrate on your own turf, and let Mr McGoldrick worry about his. It was noted at the recent forum that you made no comment about the Intermodal so were's that leave you. It might just be that the residents no longer wnat to assist either of the major parties as all they gave done of late is let the community down.

Michael made valid comments about the intermodal at the pollie forum. He actually stated what country puts an intermodal on a river. Him and Signe were the only ones with good arguments. He is being misread, or misinterpreted here. Or just not clear. Michael Craig Kelly in the Federal arena is the MOST passionate in Menai. It really has been a little quiet on the state front. Thats why the people are wary of both Lib and Labor on the State level.

Vangry I notice you do have a bit of rabble rouser in your language. We are waiting for Jim's denial, not comment, of my charge towards him. I base it on observing Labor Party rules being flouted by Jim since 2009 where otherwise he would have been turfed out. I would gladly retract today but Jim has not responded across the many months I have predicted his recent action. We have received no explanation aside from the rabble rousing talk. ALLAN C : I live in the Menai Electorate, 200 metres from the Liverpool electorate boundary. So I am speaking from my turf.

Dara : I appreciate the passion and sense of truth you have displayed in your campaigning. "The cheapest solution" are your words and you are dead right. I will comment on this in my election week blog www.localforlife.com.au --------- Regarding "the spilt". It was inevitable as the time span over the Intermodal campaign included a Federal Election and a State Election, and thus there were high political stakes centred on East Liverpool. We saw active and open Liberals and quiet Labor stalking with a wildcard to play. And they have just played it in my view.--------- My foundation for being engaged in politics is that politics must be underpinned by a proper sense of purpose. That is why I abhor machine politics that is all about attaining and then keeping power. I see political party stooges as just one form of corruption of proper purpose. Let all serious political contenders state their case, argue it stand their ground and see the will of the people flow without distortion. Stooges are distortions, a corruption of purpose.

Mr Byrne, Clearly your assumptions are incorrect, this so funny now, I did not know anything about Labor or Libras, State or Federal until last year, when I heard about the Intermodal. This is personal to me as I am not a politician and do not care about politics either; and you have already made up your mind that Jim will deny not comment. All the best Mr Byrne, please do not comment about assumptions & predictions but comment about facts.

Hello Michael Byrne, What a low cowardly act making statements about where my preferences are going after the registration of how to votes has closed with the electoral commission. But as my memory serves me you have been good at that behavior for around twenty years that I have known of you. First I want to thank you for not supporting me in any way. Your friends you have supported in the past including Mark Latham and yourself have all failed. As for preferences from a true independent who knows both Liberal and Labor party head offices, are against all residents in the Menai electorate on the Intermodal poisons, I stand tall as an Independent and say only vote 1 to make Governments listen to us.

I am not prepared to give votes to the Liberals or Labor unlike you who is known to be supporting Liberals in Liverpool. I am honoring the wishes of my followers who want to vote 1 only. Time to wake up Michael, if you are a true independent, how you can give your preference to political parties amuses me. Do you have no backbone of your own, to stand up for yourself? Thank you for not giving any support, your political masters in the Liberal party must be worried that I could win, to have you attack me in this way. Maybe next year we will see you running for Mayor again with support from the Liberals. You have the nerve to call me a party stooge, how foolish. I wish Melanie Gibbons the best of luck, as with you as a supporter she will need all the help she can get. Last time I checked and I could stand corrected, to only Vote 1 excludes all other candidates including the labor party.

The how to votes for the Labor & Liberal candidates in Menai clearly state vote 1 only and you want me to give preferences. Get real or get lost, I have better things to do with my time than waste it on you. Go crawl back under your rock. Remember an Independent is an alternative, not a vote for another party. Jim McGoldrick TRUE INDEPENDENT FOR MENAI Working for you and NOT Political parties Authorized by Jim McGoldrick M. 0410740399

Hey Jim, you protesteth too much and are getting a bit personal.------ In 350 words you have failed to deny my claim that you are under instruction to stand for the effect of wasting 1 votes. ----- You say "I am not prepared to give votes to the Liberals or Labor unlike you who is known to be supporting Liberals in Liverpool. I am honoring the wishes of my followers who want to vote 1 only." You know I am a serious candidate in Liverpool putting my own money where my mouth is. My exchange with Liberals and them with me is the only way to change for the good in Liverpool. How do you know the wishes of your "followers" - rather messianic. --------- With a strong presence of workers at the polling booth ( I am still recruiting )I have a slight chance to be the only unrestrained voice against the Intermodal in Parliament.

Hello Michael, I totally deny everything relating to how I distribute my votes having anything to do with helping the Labor party, are you kidding. I am NOT working for or secretly supporting either party because I know both Labor & liberal have radical religous groups in their ranks using the State Government as a stepping stone to take over our Australian way of life. And you?.... the new way for Democracy is Independent. I truly hope I have assisted you in comprehending your future. I will be no longer be entertaining your way of twisted ideals. I am in your electorate do not forget to vote for me. Authorised by Jim McGoldrick.20/03/2011

Anyone wishing to volunteer for Jim's campaign at the polling booths next Saturday handing out "how to vote" to his fellow constituents please ring Jim McGoldrick. 0410740399 He deserves your support so he can represent the Menai Electorate at State Parliament. Jim has no ties and is funding his own campaign.

Mr Byrne, My reference to "your turf" is not based on where you live, but the seat of Liverpool for which you are seeking election. If you live in the Menia electorate why aren't you running for election in that seat.

All parties involved in the Moorebank intermodals container terminals freight hub have not been genuine in their community consultataion.Both Labor and Liberals have been involved in bringing all aspects in the intermodals and freight hub they dont care if the impact on residents in the south west is to be huge just as long it fits into the corporate agenda when have they cared about the residents.All they want to say is they have spoken to concerned residents with no desire to allay and of the concerns.They all live outside the area and live in their mansions without any impact on their families..To vote for Jim is to say that we are sick and tired of being ignored and neglected in our local area.As I have stated many times you cant transpose a area like Port Botany in Liverpool and the south west otherwise it will have tragic results John Anderson wattle grove.0409368603

Look the bottom line is we are residents not politicians. We knocked on one door. Labor.... it just sli.....ggghtly opened. We knocked on the other door Liberal same Bl""dy thing at state level. What on earth did people expect from us?? So we looked amongst ourselves and asked Jim to run. These guys have EDUCATED themselves look at the presentations they make and we have full backing from professors in the states. Hysterical residents? I remember when the same person long ago was called ranting. That was not right! I get the message but saying that about fellow residents? I ss well as everyone else would rather sit and watch tv with their other halves than have this occupy our minds. Not right! Give us a break we are just trying to right a wrong! All of us can leave and we have the capacity to leave. But we are fighting for something bigger. I can understand Angry for I too thought I live in a democratic country with proper EIS etc. Its this crap that really shakes the core, the essence of ones beliefs that I think I might as well go back to the country of my forefathers for at least there it is OPENLY corrupt. Non of this behind the scenes crap. Obama in his speech "transparent government" When is the last time we heard that in Aus? Its corruption behind the scenes. Michael I wish you all the luck as I do Jim and Bill. We really need a Change. We are just being WRONGED in the South West! Sometimes Policy is not right. Whats the point of an Mp if they won't question policies. Are they really the puppets of corporations?

Mr Byrne, I would personally tell the Liberal and Labor Parties to get stuffed as Jim McGoldrick has, if they are not directing\showing preferences then why should Jim McGoldrick swap preferences. As far as I'm concerned if anyone directs preferences to either of the major Party's that makes them a potential stooge.

Dara: the greatest threat to our country is good people staying out of the political process and having the space filled by incompetents who rabble rouse instead of persuade, and who wreak division wherever they go. So hang in there. You are gaining hard experience that has a few wins but mostly losses. It hurts, but is worthwhile. -------- As I said earlier the division in the Intermodal Campaign was seeded at its genesis. The Intermodal Campaign has been amateurish when it should have been otherwise due to supposed experienced activists such as Jim. I hear Jim was asked to run; did he ask to be asked? Much of the campaign has been about making noise and that is a valid method for a while. But there has been too much ranting and assertions about things not being fair. Has anyone sought within the East Liverpool / Casula a local person with good understanding of vehicle / truck / train diesel emissions? This seems to be a key issue and we need to be prepared for the public submission phase of the planning process. Dara can you contact me at byrne4livo@gmail.com BTW: how did hubby go at sailing on Saturday?

Peter L: I am a serious contender. In a safe seat such as Liverpool you must have voters use their preferences to beat the "natural" party for the area. In Jim's case he is running in an swinging seat. The the only chance for Labor to win is to have the Greens, CDP and the only Independent exhaust 1 votes and drag away Liberal 1 votes due to the Intermodal issue. Given the mood of the electorate overall the Liberals will win the election and they will have a good reason why they should not be sympathetic to the Intermodal campaign. That is why the emphasis needs to be on the public submission phase. If I am elected I will have resources and the freedom to act.

Hahaha I had to laugh at that one. Yes my hubby is sailing at chipping Norton. What an asset we have on our doorstep. And like you said Michael who puts containers on a river!! The teachers are Brilliant. If you want a safe mid life/pre...ggive it a go. Ok with the intermodal yes Jim was asked I can vouch for that. Its damned if you do damned if you dont. I chopped Bill Cashmans head of last year for giving preferences to Labor. This year they have done the same as Jim. Is it necessarily right? So who is the better candidate Andrew or Eskaros? Eskaros is no where to be seen.Granted as Peter Harle stated Albanese (Labor) doesnt give a damn about Liverpool. He didnt give a damn about the barriers nor will has a gave a damn about intermodal. Melanie turns up to protests and meetings.

Dear Friends Please do not waste your time talking to Michael, his head only gets bigger and even then he cannot win an election. Wasted space, use your time for the more important things. The puss festers the more the germs are fed. Good health to you all

Jim. What a charming comment. Really.

Michael we are all just in shock. We got knived in the newspapers this week. Us residents, fellow Liverpudlians. Not right.So much ammunition was given to our enemies that they are out in force in the newspapers. As said above.Re read my posts enough has been said. As said going to give people the benefit of the doubt. Starting with the councillors. Surely they are not going to distance themselves from their constituents. Peter Harle is right Albanese doesnt give a damn. If these people care about us plebs. They need to fix that mess that was created in the newspaper. As for everything else submissions etc working on it. Cheers

Please let us not engage in petty politics and allow our differences to distract us from our principle objective of stopping the development of this terminal. Please direct our attention and energies towards this objective. If we can have an Independent in the seat of Liverpool and Menai without any preferences , we would send a clear message to both the major parties that the people of Liverpol and Menai cannot be taken for granted and would not allowthemselves to be treated as colateral damage.Let us be be unity and support each other in this struggle. Barry O' Farrell as indicated in the media that he would remove PartA if elected and allow the community to have a say in major infrastructure developments. What we need to know from him will this be retrospective and if not how will SIMTA's application made under Part3A be assessed. Will the community have a say in approving this application

Excellent comment dev, let’s concentrate to send the message to the big parties, and let’s see what they will do? Michael, I know nothing about politics, and I am not going to judge you as I do not know you, but I know Jim and I have been working with him since last AUG10, to me he is a genuine person and in many cases we as group “No Intermodal SWSA” told him go left and go right and he was listening to us & following our wishes, also we have been working closely with the Libral councillors who were helping us too, again who am I to judge them as I don’t know what’s there problem with us, I am sure they will help us later or I hope so? We have been working with Mr Kelly and still are working with him, I just sent him new information form USA. Please do not judge Jim or us as group, we are intelligent people and we know who is with us and who is not, we are trying hard to get the community together in this issue, we need all the help we can get, now that both Labor and Librals wants it; you can come and see for yourself on the next meeting 30MAR at Moorebank community centre @ 7 pm. Good luck to you and all the best for Jim, we will stand behind him , let’s move forward instead of the blame game.

Folks. It is time for some political reality. The Moorebank site stands out to be an Intermodal Site. Rail / M5 / M7 are almost integrated with it. That of course does not make it right for the nearby residents. The SIMTA site has the zoning and is seeking approval. It is so naive to even mention Mr Albenese's name as he is at the top of the tree and has a job to deliver. We can use some of his dubious political history however. This campaign is being run as a NIMBY exercise and whatever vote Jim receives on Saturday it will written off as a NIMBY exercise. There is too much noise. It can only be beaten on environmental grounds with technical specifications fully examined, facts extrapolated and argument put. You need advocacy. Remember the political parties have sought to manage this through their own agents for the time across two important elections. The urgency will be off from Saturday. Michael www.localforlife.com.au

"Vote 1 McGOLDRICK, Jim" on Saturday. We will not be taken for granted or ignored in the Menai electorate, not by either of the major parties. The protest vote will be huge, hopefully big anough to get Jim elected, as Jim stands for the constiuents of the electorate. No Moorebank Intermodals, better support for law enforcement, 4-1 ratio for patient/nurse ratio, better train services on the Liverpool and Illawarra lines and protecting the australian way of life. Good luck to Jim on Saturday!!!

Michael's comments above the Intermodal being a reality reminds me of something I heard years ago: If rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it! That doesn't make it right! I don't know Jim very well, but I am familiar with his name and agree with the causes he has been involved in, (No Airport at Badgery's Creek and No Intermodal). If he's a labor party stooge, then I think more of the labor party should join him. I will always have the right to vote however I want. I can preference anyone, regardless of how Jim's flyers direct me. All I know is that I see Jim at the meetings and rallies............but I don't see Michael. I do see the other party members (but I question their motives). I was delighted when the people holding political banners were asked to leave the Moorebank rally. This is NOT about politics. I think it's sad that both men are directing their energy against each other, when they're both supposed to be fighting for me! As a member of the East Ward Progress Association, I've known Michael for many years,(even helped collecting signatures for the change to the Popular vote for Mayor). I I wish him well in the election, however, I will be helping Jim on the day!

Well said Eileen

That's fine Eileen. ------ I have written an article on "Tag Along" politics at www.localforlife.com.au The way the Intermodal campaign has been used and abused is a case in point. I have offered my advice along the way but was not required. I do not step into other peoples' political event unless absolutely necessary and as I have read in the paper this one seems to have split anyway. I have no need to add to the noise as the group has plenty of effective emitters. The serious stage is to come and all the assertions and irrelevancies will carry zero weight in the absence of clear argument. Indeed they carry a sense of ill-disciplined rabble which is counter productive for credibility when the time comes to put a seriously argued case. I hope Dara is right when see indicates the serious stuff is being worked on. Regarding political options it really is a serious matter of weighing up the potential effect. Cheers Michael

I feel sorry for you Michael. You sounded like a dying soul, saying his last words. Politics has nothing to do with this and the split you're referring to, was another political game. We are residents who are fighting for our rights, with no hidden or political agendas. So please take your disgraceful politics out of this.

What you see is what you get with Jim McGOLDRICK. No matter what sour grapes says (who now IS beholding to the Liberal Party Machine), Jim IS NOT a stooge, never has been and never will be. He is however a valued member of our community who will unreservedly represent our community's wishes, no BS. Because of his fierce independence and no party to kow tow to, he is free to to our bidding without fear or favour. People can make up their own mind how to cast their votes, to put only "1" for "McGOLDRICK, Jim", preference one or preference all the candidates is up to each individual. Luck to all the candidates, just a lot more good luck to Jim however.

Here is the link to my Election Week Pamphlet.... https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0ByLPSQaGkZZ_ZWQxYmYxODItZDY1Yi00MDAyLWI4NjUtOWQxYThmNWNmNzI3&hl=en_GB Jim, can you send me a copy of the How-T0-Vote form(s) you registered? I like to plan early for my vote on Saturday. Please send to byrne4livo@gmail.com Cheers

Mr Byrne, I was just thinking that prior seeing your face at the Powerhouse protest, I have not noticed you at any of the meetings or gatherings since I became aware of the Intermodal proposal and decided to get involved. All of a sudden up jumps Michael Byrne just prior to the elections to attack and attempt to discredit Jim McGoldrick. You Mr Byrne should be supporting your fellow independent, not bad mouthing him. Mark my words, once the election is over you will as Jim recently stated, crawl back under your rock. I like many others, support and will continue to support Jim McGoldrick on the 26th March and beyond. I encourage the boarder community to vote 1 McGoldrick on Saturday as he is there for us, the community.

Allan. Over many years I have given my time for public campaigns. I have explained previously the political nature of the Intermodal campaign with the young Libs and Jim, as the only Labor contact, running it. Oh, and guess what, there has been a split! I gave advice early via blog comments. I have done my bit. I am not into the noise making activities. My recent commentary is not new. Jim has form and I foretold the form months ago. There are always mug punters. The real work is ahead of you if you wished this stopped. It appears you do not require my services.

Michael, I’m not into politics and object to people claiming that our cause has become political. The majority of your above comments simply amount to what I refer to as political mud slinging which the community want’s nothing to do with. The community need the assistance from the likes of you and Jim, but not the crap being thrown back and forth. The community need every bit of assistance that it can get, but it must be positive not negative. My family have been residents of the Liverpool area 47 years and suffered a financial loss when the Federal Government announced the Holsworthy Airport and I will do whatever I can to insure that they (Government) don’t screw my family again. The spilt you speak of involved one person who couldn’t get it his own way and the liberal councillors had their own agenda for pulling back their support which we hope will return in the future. All the best on Saturday.

The thing is Michael it has got tougher and naturally thats when as the saying goes.. when the going gets tough the tough get going and others pull out. Fact of life. We have all seen it many times in many of our endeavours. So yes the resilient ones are working on it and can use any help possible. Thats if you're one of the toughies and a stayer?If you're going to pull out in a couple of months time then forget it. Im with everyone else. I hope the councillors dont pull out. They showed a lot of passion these last few months and really backed the community. This isnt a hoopla for we have the data to support from the states. This is bigger than we all imagined and little Liverpool can be the catalyst for better planning not only in Sydney but Australia, and as said we could possibly be an example for the rest of the world but we need to get it right.

Anyway wish everyone all the best for this weekend. At least you all show passion for a better Liverpool unlike one in particular. We all know who that is and needs to retire!

The States Data ( California) says that 54% of air pollution from freight at Port areas in California is from burning low grade Bunker Oil by Ships not trucks and trains. The BNSF Freightyard mentioned is a Railway Engine Classing Facility as well as an Intermodal Railyard and the most pollution comes from running Rail Engines at high revolutions under simulated loads apparently and testing of Railway Locomotives.. So its not all freight associated by any measure................................................ Air Pollution from roads is measurably higher up to 15o Metres to the side from it according to the Professor and the Environmental Scientist I conversed with from the university of Brisbane.. Railroad worker statistics are not applicable to communities in general and finally whilst noise levels are a problem near freight facilities, affects diminish with distance from source...................... Facts not Assertions are going to count at crunch time..... The Rest of the USA do not accept the Californian standards or ideals apparently... Australia is unlikely to follow California in those rigid standards in the foreseeable future.. Lightspill is a problem which can be overcome by careful management and emissions can be reduced by capture techniques and low emissions policies. Noise problems can be overcome to a large extent as well by baffling and shielding.......... The proponents surely realise this or need to be told........................................... The Virtual Gas chamber is at Port Botany where the Ships combine with the Trucks and Trains... Liverpool will be asked to share the burden as are other areas of Sydney and by making quality submissions the residents can hope to reduce adverse impacts. I am not interested in following a political course as it is not productive in my opinion............It will take study and time to produce knowledge that can be used to advantage in my view.... If the politics is what you want to be involved in..... good luck to you......I am a resident not interested in politics very much at all and can follow the beat of my own drum.

Roy in the last few days we received more support data contrary to what you have stated thats why these professors in Brisbane need to converse with the ones in the states. As for politics that is why Jim is an independent. Because for the first time this is truly not about Politics. At the last forum EVERYONE was represented. Green blue black as you said. I commend all of them for turning up. You guys want to distance yourself then it just shows that is was political all along until now.

The USA senate only last week voted on a 32 million dollar bill to study the effects of Diesel exhaust emissions, that will only confirm what California already knows. ANY exposure to elevated levels of diesel exhaust emissions especially long term is harmful to human health from birth to death. These facts cannot be ignored by the TWU, government agencies and especially the health department. They ALL have a duty of care to their respective "members" Strange, how politicians get to decide our fate without proper consultation. To forge our own fate, we can only influence politicians in any way shape or form available to us as residents, in the direct firing line. WE have to speak their "language" in order to get what's right. Numbers at the polling booth is what they understand best! VOTE 1 McGOLDRICK, Jim - to send a clear message of protest. Don't let them think for one minute we are going to take one for the team! It is now obvious that the economics don’t stack up either. We’d be almost 10,000 jobs better off if SIMTA hadn’t been involved and the Technology was built as in the 2003 DA 10,000 jobs lost in perpetuity and all the flow on economic effects there of. That’s just for the 80 Hectare “SIMTA “ site. How economically irresponsible is it to even consider the SME site as well?

The figures above Dara are contained in the Submission from Professor Hricko recieved yesterday. The rest I found out myself about the BNSF railyard on the net. I had a three way conversation with the Professors US and Brisbane and was surprised to learn that the Freight Problem is divided into sectors ( thats when I learned the Pollution from roads is concentrated quite close to them).. Actually the Sea Ports are by far the worst affected areas. Road generated Air polution is the most widespread of all with major freeways in the US the Culprit as are probably here but theirs are much bigger and busier than ours.. The City of Sydney as you know recieves Cruise Ships..... They are very pollutive..., even though they look pretty. At Port Botany they have an International Airport right next door to a pollutive Port..... Imagine what they are copping the Eastern Suburbs...... Liverpool cannot expect to have no pollutive interacction so entry into the big time is going to have some pain involved. Wish it was further away though obviously. Come to the conclusion the States stuff will not win here Dara.I dearly wish it would.

Naturally Roy their Port is 100x bigger than ours. Its all relative. Their Commerce intermodal is as large as our Moorebank intermodal. Thats where it doesnt stack up. You and I both know that. An intermodal the size of Commerce with a smaller Port? Thats why they are putting intermodals outside of California now. So what is it Roy are you with us or against us? Calling us hysterical was not right. I remember when they called you ranting. And look how far this has gone. Anyway LA population is just below the population of the whole of Australia. As said the intermodal at Moorebank is not proportional to our Port. Nor to the population of Sydney.

Hi Ray the Obama Administration is almost over and the studies will go on for years and the conclusions will be disputed like the tobacco issue for decades...............Big Business in the USA will not be curtailing activity to suit a green future that easily. I think you have good info but its too late for us on this one in my opinion, ours will be up and running whilst they talk and talk and talk.. Good research though. Work on submissions that make our situation a better outcome you have until the end of 2011 whence the environmental study results will be out. 3a Paramenters will still apply I am advised regardless of changes to laws post election..

You forgot a golden rule Dara.......... Never believe everything you read. Too quick to judge old friend. Should know me better but that said I operate as I do. No quarter given. Talk after the election......... at least it will have some interest.

''Say NO to the Moorebank Intermodel Terminal"!!!!!! This is the name of the FACEBOOK group page that has been set up to help spread the news on the proposed Intermodal. As so many people use Facebook, this could be just one of the ways we can all spread the news and share the information with as many people as we can.Please join it and tell all your friends, family and collegues to. Once joined, anything posted on that page will be able to be viewed in your own Newsfeed page so you can see what people are saying about it.

Thank you all for your comments. This is a perfect example that democracy still works. In this day and age you must speak up for what you believe in, sadly if you sit back and politely say nothing you will be trampled to death by the loony political parties. SPEAK UP, SPEAK UP LOUD Thanks Jim McGoldrick PUTTING YOU FIRST, NOT POLITICAL PARTY DUMMIES M.0410740399 http://www.nointermodal.com email: 7674np@gmail.com