When I moved here 18 years ago, our local member was so popular, they had trouble getting anyone to run against him as they knew he would keep winning, and he did, usually gaining 98+% of the votes. Sadly, we lost him to pancreatic cancer about 8 years ago. He absolutely HATED politicians with a passion. Hated them. He was very vocal about his hatred too.
He'd get down in parliament and stick it up them for all his worth. He said from day 1 that he wanted no retirement fund or any of the other perks they get when they get booted out. He wanted nothing from them at all. In fact, he was trying very hard to get the perks to stop for everyone when he received his diagnosis.
He ran for the seat because he wanted to help the people and help he did. If someone went to him with an issue, he'd take it to Canberra and do whatever he could to make it happen. He refused to take no for an answer and would keep pushing every time he was told no. If he made an election promise, he stuck to it. He NEVER broke one single election promise, ever.
When he died, it was basically a public holiday in town. Pretty much everything closed for the day (except the essential services like hospital, police, ambulance and fire) as everyone went to his funeral. It was a very sad day for this place because those that followed have undone a lot of his work (although the last one hasn't been tooooo bad (not sure if he got back in this time or not)).
Every now and then you encounter one that sticks to their promises and does the right thing. Just a shame these types are so rare.
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