RIVA HERE TO STAY The Regional Independents of Victoria Alliance (RIVA) started out as a random idea a few months ago in the early stages of the 2014 State Election campaign. The intended purpose was to provide Independent candidates (and future MPs) with a platform for joint lobbying on issues of mutual interest and concern. We did some research on Independent candidates around the State and started contacting them one by one to test the waters and find out if they shared our faith in the potential of the RIVA concept. We were excited to receive immediate responses from Tracie Lund from Morwell and Bruce Argyle from Eildon. They loved the idea and officially jumped on board! Bruce and Tracie were quickly joined by Clare LeServe from Bass and Robert Andersson from Hastings. After lots of lively email discussions our teams organised a face-to-face meeting and official launch at the beginning of November. It was a great experience and we were all struck by the similarities across our electorates - particularly in relation to regional infrastructure and education. At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that RIVA would become permanent fixture on the Victorian political landscape. It would provide a continuous voice for regional interests and a platform for networking and joint lobbying for Independent candidates and MPs across the State. It would provide Victorian regional Independents (and their electorates) with the benefits of collaboration without the restrictions of party discipline. Win, lose or draw at the polls this weekend, Ali, Tracey, Bruce, Clare and Robert are excited about how RIVA will help to shape, develop and promote current (and future) Independent candidates and MPs across regional Victoria.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 04:07:47 +0000
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