What motivated you to run for the seat of Dobell?
The Federal seat of Dobell needs a voice to stand up and work towards transitioning the Central Coast away from coal fired power stations and mines to a clean, green economy with high skilled, well-paid jobs.
What do you think are the major issues in the electorate?
. Making sure there is no Wallarah 2 Coal Mine ever thus protecting our drinking water catchment and health through cleaner air.
. Affordable Housing
. Education from pre-school to post graduation including protecting TAFE from privatisation
. Getting an increase in Newstart and Youth allowance of $50 per week so people can live with dignity and respect not dire poverty
. Enabling growth in jobs in a sustainable economy
. Improving and expanding Aged Care services and Denticare
. Focussing on an integrated public transport system and freight to ease congestion, reduce wasted time on the road and pollution
. Reducing our CO2 emissions by 90% by 2030 even more paramount after our hottest winter ever by a phenomenal 20 Celsius.
After the controversy with sitting member Craig Thomson is there any changes you would make if elected or you’d like to see from the next member?
The investigation should have proceeded far more quickly and a resolution been reached in a timely manner. We must abide by the rule of law and not take a pre-determined position influenced by media reporting, rumour and innuendo.
How do you rate your chances?
I hope the electorate see me as a hard working alternate voice for their community and vote for The Greens based on our complete suite of fantastic policies which would enable a prosperous but fairer and more equitable society.
If elected what will be your first priority?
Stopping the Wallarah 2 mine because if it goes ahead there will be chaos for our whole community around loss of drinking water, polluted air that will cause deaths and massive mine subsidence just as the Wakefield nature
Reserve is experiencing right now.
Have you run for federal government before?
No, but I have run for the State and Local Government on multiple occasions.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what skills do you think you can bring to the job?
I have lived on the Central Coast for over 35 years, am happily married and we have raised three children who all grew up, studied and played sport on the coast.
My vocational background is in Public Education where I held many positions from classroom teaching to state-wide executive roles. I taught Mathematics locally at Northlakes and Tumbi Umbi HS.
I served on Wyong Shire Council as a Councillor from 2008-12 and was Deputy Mayor in 2012.
I bring a suite of skills built up over my real life experiences that would diversify and enrich parliament and give a genuine voice for the Dobell residents.
What do you think is your biggest challenge in this election?
Being heard about real issues that matter to the electorate like the Newstart allowance and affordable housing.
What would a vote for you mean to those voting for you?
A vote for me would mean people had chosen to vote for a person with integrity and honesty who would fight for the best outcome for Dobell residents, our society and the environment at large.
VIEWER QUESTION FROM RACHAEL GLASSON: What will you do to help home buyers? Currently there is only assistance if you purchase a brand new home. However, not many first home buyers can afford a new home?
The Greens have a full Housing Affordability policy.
The Greens want 20% of all housing developments to be dedicated to affordable housing and therefore those residences would be available to eligible purchasers at below market value.
We would increase the amount of social housing by 12 200 per year for 10 years to take pressure off the housing rental market, allowing people to rent more easily and hopefully cheaply. This would then affect housing
prices keeping them at a more stable price so that people can save to buy their own home more readily.
