1. What led you to run for Mayor?
I turned my thoughts to running for Mayor after it was suggested to me by some members of the community and Labor Party branch members. After some thought I decided I had something to contribute in the capacity of Mayor to the future direction and development of Maitland
2. You are endorsed by the Labor Party, how would this support help you as Mayor?
I am very comfortable with being endorsed by the Labor Party. Their principles of social justice and empowerment sit well with my own belief system and values and will lead to decisions that are for the benefit of the residents of Maitland and the future development of the city.
3. How has your time on council prepared you to be Mayor?
The biggest thing I learnt in my term on council is that there is no room for individualism. In order to deliver for Maitland, councillors, the governing body, need to work together and make decisions that are responsive to the needs of the residents and deliver the leadership required for the greater good of the city. Good governance.
4. You’re going up against long standing council member and Mayor Peter Blackmore, what can you bring to the table that he hasn’t?
It isn’t about what someone has or hasn’t delivered. There is always room for a fresh set of ideas and new ways of looking at things. Maitland has had ten years of rapid growth, how the city develops over the next ten years will determine the quality of life for the residents of Maitland. We must be careful not lose sight of the qualities which make Maitland a great place to live in the haste to give give people places to live in.
5. Maitland is a fast growing city, what policies would you like to see implemented to facilitate this?
Maitland is a fast growing city and we now need to think very carefully about the pace of future development. Infrastructure must be delivered to meet the needs of the current population before we go roaring into the next decade with unrestrained growth.
6. What would be your main priority if elected?
My main priority would be lobbying state and federal governments to deliver on infrastruture needs, particularly in the area of transport health and hospitals. Additionally the revitalisation of the CBD as the heart of the city is a high prioritiy.
7. What is your biggest challenge in winning this election?
My biggest challenge is the same as for all the candidates. That is communicating to the residents of Maitland that I have the ability, leadership and vision required to lead them into the future.
8. Why should rate payers have faith in you?
In the current term of council I have made merit based decisions based on evidence. I have worked as part of a team with the other councillors to deliver outcomes for the greater good of the community. My committment to social justice and ability to work within the diversity of our community is good reason to have faith.
9. How would you rate the performance of the current council and what would you change?
I believe Maitland City Council has performed very well. It has been shown to be progressive , responsive and stable through the co-operative approach of staff and councillors. There is however always room for improvemnet and would like to futher our efforts in reaching out and communicating with the residents and garnering their support and ideas in the future direction of the city.
10. How do you rate your chances of winning the election?
I don’t intend to speculate on the outcome of the election. That is in the hands of the residents of Maitland. I will be doing my best to convince them that I have the leadership qualitites and ideas to take the city into the future. The rest is up to the voters.
