To my question about whether it was better to spend over $100 million on 'here today, gone tomorrow' advertising of the government's projects or to spend directly on projects with actual community outcomes (e.g. Gundagai sewage treatment works, Grenfell Medical Centre, etc) there was no answer.

Michael explained that it was OK to spend millions on advertising because the Rudd-Gillard Government did it. Really? So the standards of previous Labour governments are the standards of the present government?

Michael also explained "it is essential to promote and disseminate information through various mediums". It's funny that in a four-year government term it becomes much more essential to do this in the months just before an election.

I also asked about the reopening and reclosing of the Christmas Island detention centre. Michael did not refer to this at all. I take this as a sign that no amount of spin-doctoring can explain this colossal waste of money.

I also specifically asked how he had voted in relation to the banking Royal Commission and whether he voted against it 26 times like Scott Morrison did. No answer. I did find out the coalition established the Commission, 'are taking action' on all recommendations, etc.

A word of advice to our recently re-elected federal member - try answering questions directly and if, in hindsight, things could have been done better feel free to admit this. You might get even more votes.

Atheists will often top Christians, Muslims, and vegans in aggressively pushing their beliefs where they're not wanted, as anyone who has ever had the misfortune of attended a dinner party with some of the more militant of these individuals will no doubt attest.

Perhaps that's why Wagga City Councillor Dan Hayes might think he's on a winner by backing the removal of the traditional opening prayers from council meetings, even when his local government area sits within the region with the highest amount of identifying Christians in the country, according to the last census.

Cr Hayes should take note from recent events on the national stage on what can happen when Labor politicians ignore the beliefs of the silent majority and instead seek to ingratiate themselves with the vocal minority they see plastered all over social media and the television.

Former aspirant Labor leader Chris Bowen recently made the observation that whilst on the federal campaign trail, people of faith said they no longer feel that 'progressive' politics care about them.

I pray Wagga City Council doesn't follow Cr Hayes's recently-humiliated federal counterparts down the same mistaken path.