Falklands : ELECTION MANIFESTO OF IAN HANSEN
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 11.06.2011 (Article Archived on 25.06.2011)
“I would like to offer myself as a candidate for this by-election. I deeply care about the Falklands and the future of its people. I was born here, educated here and have spent all of my life living and working in these Islands.
ELECTION MANIFESTO OF IAN HANSEN
“I would like to offer myself as a candidate for this by-election. I deeply care about the Falklands and the future of its people. I was born here, educated here and have spent all of my life living and working in these Islands.
I have been through the good times and bad times we have experienced but have never had the slightest desire to live anywhere else in the world.
I intend to keep this address very brief, working on the adage that a lot of talk before an election is usually far less productive than action after.
Let us address some of the immediate issues that face our current Assembly. The steep increase in fuel prices and the climb of inflation will have a big knock-on effect to all. Both public and private sector businesses and workers will be hurt by this. The lower paid will suffer the most; and although we do have a minimum wage to be implemented soon, I believe it is important that it is reviewed regularly and rising costs taken into account when doing so.
In the public sector I believe there is some merit in the suggestion that when there is an increase in salaries that those earning lower salaries receive a bigger percentage pay rise than the higher ones.
Our economy is stable to a degree but caution has to be exercised in our future budgets.
The rising cost of recruitment to certain posts id definitely a subject for concern. I totally support as many positions as realistically possible being filled by local people. Unfortunately many job descriptions are now so laden with qualification obligations that many locally trained people are automatically ruled out of applying. I think the question has to be asked whether or not some job descriptions are over the top. Training is a key issue to filling positions locally and should be concentrated on.
While we may well have the capacity to ship directly north to the UK, it is important, if not vital that we obtain a shipping link with and through South America. All of our industries will be massively affected if this does not happen. It is obvious that a large ship arriving and leaving the Falklands every 6 weeks or so only half full of cargo is not sustainable. However, surely it must be worth thinking about chartering a smaller vessel to suit our needs. If something, for instance, the size of the St Brandon came and went, perhaps on a less regular basis but at least full of cargo then subsidy could be kept to a minimum. What we must do is to talk to and listen to our existing local shipping companies and ask for ideas from the private sector.
Argentina’s attempts to stifle our economic growth continue. They refuse to co-operate in scientific research for fishing stock preservation; they harass investment in tourism and oil; and of course they make every attempt to block our transport links. While they continue to do so we should use every possible outlet available to us to get our message across to the international forum. Lobbying Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament is a given. But perhaps we should be using internationally recognised non-government organisations as an outlet as well.
These are just a few of the issues that I have concerns about. I am sure there are many other issues and thoughts that I haven’t touched on. But I believe it is just as important, if not more so, for me to get your views. I am available at any time to discuss with anyone, who wishes to either question me or present their opinions on any issue they feel should be addressed.
If elected, I can only offer you common sense, honesty and the will and commitment to listen to and work with you, the electorate.
Thank you.
(100X Transcription Service)
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