With the 2015 New South Wales State election upon us, an initiative has been launched encouraging Forbes voters to take action and ask their local candidates for Orange to sign the Politicians' Pledge.
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Developed by St James Ethics Centre with support from the Sydney Morning Herald, the Politicians’ Pledge sets a new standard for the practice of politics and gives voters the opportunity to do something practical to hold local politicians to the highest ethical standards.
“This is an opportunity for every one of us to get in touch with our politicians and ask them for something really important – a promise of basic decency and integrity,” said St James Ethics Centre executive director, Dr Simon Longstaff.
Forbes constituents can get involved in this important initiative by contacting their local State MP and candidates and asking them to sign the Politicians’ Pledge.
A copy of the pledge is available online at www.ethics.org.au and voters are encouraged to contact local candidates via post, email, social media or in person at local community forums with their request to sign it.
Locals can also join the online social media campaign by urging candidates to #TakeThePledge.
Dr Longstaff said it was encouraging to see several local candidates across NSW had already signed the pledge.
“This is not a matter for political parties to decide," he said.
"The Politicians’ Pledge asks candidates to go deeper than issues of party, ideology and policy and to make promises that will help renew the ethical foundations of our democracy.
“It is for the people to make the case in each and every electorate. We encourage voters to ask early and ask often,” he said.
For all inquiries on how to take or share the pledge please email politicianspledge@ethics.org.au.
