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 In his own words: Nick Lalich 

In his own words: Nick Lalich

BY JESSICA MAHAR
06 Oct, 2009 07:22 PM
Cabramatta MP and Fairfield mayor Nick Lalich reveals to reporter Jessica Mahar his views on a variety of issues.

On his main frustration: "If I could have one office with two rooms, one for state issues and one for council issues, I could sit in the middle and wouldn't have to go between offices."

On the Opposition attacks on him as Mayor and local MP: "You allow them to kick you in the head in two places.

I know here, I get the Opposition, I get the candidate, I get the local councillors...

They shouldn't be allowed to take our council issues to state parliament in the upper house."

On the benefits of being Mayor and local MP: "I think there's a great benefit to be able to speak directly to the minister.

"I've only been there 12 months but I think there's a great benefit of the state member being able to get to the ministers and all of that."

On abolishing state government and what would happen to state MPs: "We should just have a federal government and local council.

Most local members would just become the local mayors."

On the future of print media: "I think in due course the print media is going to go, I think their days are numbered."

On the media: "The media is the enemy of democracy.

I think sometimes the media has too much power."

On his local papers: "I had my staff ring up the local editors and ask why [there were no more photos of Mr Lalich in the paper] and he said they said: "He's state government, we're going to try get rid of him".

[Jessica Mahar: ''The editors said this?'']

"That's what he said that they said. Maybe it wasn't those exact words. I wouldn't want to put words in his mouth. At the end of the day that's what's happened."

On his leader: "Poor old Nathan Rees is not given a fair go, the poor bugger can't make a move without bad press."

On his relationship with the Medich family: "I've known them since the 60s and 70s.

At the beginning I'd never heard of this bloke [Michael] McGurk.

The Medich's have been great people and have been supportive of the community, they have done a lot since they have been here.

They have done well, employed a lot of people, done a lot of development.

They were always above-board, always a nice family."

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
OK, reality check. Mr Lalich clearly cannot handle two important jobs. It hasn't worked. His frustrations are clear - it's time for him to go. Nathan Rees is thoroughly hopeless. Despite probably having good intentions, he is clearly out of his depth. It's time for him to go. The state government is an absolute basket case, heading for a defeat of record proportions. They are well overdue to go. This constant blaming of the media is bizarre and ludicrous. If Mr Lalich and his cronies would stop providing the ammunition, then there would be no need for critical analysis of their performance and behaviour. They only have themselves to blame. The Fairfield and Cabramatta areas have become a neglected horrible mess. Politically there needs to be a massive shake-out of each and everyone of this resentful old guard. They have have had their own way for far too long, and this is not healthy. These people are clearly the problem, and do not in anyway represent any part of a viable solution. Urgent change is need at the next State and Council elections. The power to do this is in the hands of the voters.
Posted by Col Irwin, 7/10/2009 10:27:35 AM
He had his staff ring up about his photos in the paper!! My suburb of Cabramatta was the second worst performer in Sydney according to the General Deprivation Index developed by Griffith University and published last year. Other suburbs in this LGA did not fare well when measured. The streets are dirty, the footpaths are hazardous to health and safety, stormwater pipes into Cabramatta Creek permit litter and heavens knows what else to enter the creek, streets do not have street name signs posted, social isolation is rampant, traffic signs are down, work opportunities are limited and non existent for many, housing and land prices have not kept pace with other suburbs, car parking facilities are a disgrace although some attention is now being paid to the problem after too many years of this gentleman being on council, infrastructure in the Cabramatta CBD needing attention, bins without lids are health and environment hazards, bins left on the street for seven days a week, gardens in public places in a poor state, the State Government of which he is a member performing poorly in many portfolios. I could go on and on. And this gentleman is talking about his photos? Unbelievable.
Posted by Charles Gream, 7/10/2009 5:53:25 PM
Germany, 1933, they also considered freedom of speech an embarrassment. Why do people keep voting for Labor in Fairfield when the party has been against peoples' rights since the 80s? Nice of him to denigrate the very government which is keeping his "snout in the trough". He isn't that concerned about doubling up when it comes to two pay packets. Postscript : Pity this publication felt the need to foist another Lalich make-over on us.
Posted by Roland Adamson, 8/10/2009 3:48:47 PM
I actually congratulate the Champion for publishing the Mayor's views, as unbelievably out-of-touch as I think they are. I'm now waiting for him to claim he was mis-quoted by the 'enemies of democracy'.
Posted by Bill Cashman, 8/10/2009 7:24:08 PM
The Mayor would do best to remain silent, instead of digging a deeper and deeper hole for himself. He has an inability to keep his foot out of his mouth. Mr Lalich, please stop providing the media and everyone else with the ammunition. You are causing all this yourself.
Posted by Col Irwin, 9/10/2009 3:18:06 PM
My only comment here is that as you grow and face new directions, life seems to change, things are not the same and everything goes in many directions so instead of complainning, why not accept how it really is and get on with the job. Mr Lalich your expectations of wanting the same results as before are not so grand. So stop bickering and move on to more important things. Such as your position of authority.
Posted by Giulietta Citton, 9/10/2009 6:45:44 PM
For someone who has been in Politics for more than 20 years this tell all story by Nick Lalich sounds more like a Political Suicide note. Has someone whispered into his ear prior to this confession- to tell him that the end of his political career is near? I am sure Nick Lalich has a little more wit than Pauline Hanson when it comes to the media. Or has he? "Please Explain....Mr Lalich". We are eager to hear more of your radical leftist ideas. Would you prefer to be called 'comrade' or will 'chairman Lalich' be just fine?
Posted by Joseph Adams, 9/10/2009 6:53:38 PM

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