To go further and be clearer – there is no excuse for murder. 

Mr Turner’s young children will grow up without him, his wife will not grow old with him, all because one man decided he was above the law. 

There’s no excuse for his behaviour – the judge made that abundantly clear when handing Mr Turnbull a “defacto” life sentence and we, as a community, applaud that.

No one is above the law and that should be a warning to others. 

Some in the community would have us believe this was an issue over land clearing – it wasn’t; it never will be. 

IT IS TIME TO GET ENGAGED

IT IS so easy to get caught up in the dirty political tactics of this election campaign, that we can forget what is really is about – the people.

Many political commentators and election watchers will tell you that the drama in the New England has occurred because the election race between two arch rivals has come down to the wire, and both camps are fighting tooth and nail to get ahead.

And they’re not wrong. 

Dr Tim Battin from the University of New England has hit the nail on the head by saying, when all is said and done the votes that really do matter are not just from the party faithful and aligned, but the people who are undecided. 

With Tony Windsor tipped to get the lion’s share of preferences next weekend, Dr Battin says Mr Joyce’s camp is relying on between 44 or 45 per cent of the primary vote to get ahead. 

If there’s ever been a time to feel powerful in the political sense – this is it.

In 2013, New England saw one of the biggest informal vote increases in the country, which at 6 per cent (about 6500 voters) was higher than the national average. Those 6500 voters could decide the outcome of this year’s election. 

If you are undecided or not engaged, it’s time to read up on the candidates, what they stand for and what they can do for you and your family. 

It’s time to vote.