What motivated you to run for the seat of Dobell?
I grew up in Wyong, went to High School in Tuggerah and now live in The Entrance.
As the Chief Pharmacist at Wyong Hospital, a former Councillor on Wyong Shire Council and patron of the Wyong Netball Association, I understand what makes our community tick. From better healthcare, better roads and more jobs on the Coast, our community deserve the very best services.
To me, the Coast is a place I am proud to call home and I want to fight to make it an even better place to live, so others feel as strongly about our community as I do.
What issues are important to you in the electorate?
I’ve been out every day, talking to local residents across our electorate about what is important to them- and they’re telling me that they want to see better hospitals, better roads and more jobs on the Coast.
As the Chief Pharmacist at Wyong Hospital for the last 5 years, I understand that local families deserve quality healthcare on the Coast. That’s why I’m working with our hospitals and the community to fight for more funding, to ensure that every resident has access to better health services.
What would be your first priority if elected?
As a Chief Pharmacist at Wyong Hospital I have seen what quality healthcare can do for families on the Coast. That’s why I will be investing in local health services- ensuring that Medicare locals stay strong and that everyone on the Coast from Wamberal to Jilliby has access to a world-class healthcare system.
What will people be getting if they vote for you?
In my conversations with locals on the Coast, they want to talk about our plan for the future- how we will be delivering more to our local hospitals, how we will build better roads and support local jobs.
We have already secured $1 million for mental health services on the Coast, invested in a new Cancer Care Nurse Coordinator, delivered a new resuscitation trolley at Wyong Hospital and I will be working to secure more.
With more than 40, 000 people commuting from the Coast every day, we need better roads to make the trip to and from work easier.
That’s why Labor delivering the F3 to M2 link is so important, which will cut down travel time and get locals home safer and faster.
As well as providing better roads, Labor is committed to creating jobs on the Coast- so fewer people need to make the journey down the F3 each day.
Key to boosting our local economy and keeping people at home on the Coast is the NBN. This Labor initiative will provide local residents greater flexibility over how they do their work.
These issues are at the heart of our community and in casting a vote for Labor, I will fight for this and more to make the Central an ever better place to live.
How are you feeling after everything that happened in the seat following the Craig Thomson issue, do you think you’ll lose some votes?
I think that there has been too much focus on personalities and not enough on policies for the future of the Coast.
That’s why my focus in on Labor’s positive plan for the Coast – more investment in our hospitals, better roads and more jobs for the Coast.
What would you say to people who might be feeling disillusioned with the Labor Party?
I represent a new way for Labor on the Coast. There’s no doubt the people of the Central Coast deserve better.
I love the Central Coast and I’m proud to call this area home. It was a fantastic place to grow up and I want to make it an even better place to live.
How do you rate your chances of winning?
This election is going to be a difficult fight, but a fight that is worth having to secure better health services, better roads and more jobs for our community on the Coast.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what skills you think you can bring to the role?
I have worked in health my whole adult life, both as a community and hospital pharmacist. With health being a top priority for locals, this experience and passion puts me in good stead to fight for better services for families on the Coast.
VIEWER QUESTION FROM RACHAEL GLASSON: What will you do to help first 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.
With more people wanting to call the Coast home, finding affordable housing in our community is becoming more and more difficult. The affordability of housing is a concern that I hear a lot while talking with locals and one of the best thing we can do for Central Coast home owners is keep the economy strong to put less pressure on interest rates.
Under the Labor Government the average Australian paying off a mortgage is now paying around $5,500 a year less than they were when the Coalition left office in 2007.
On top of this, the Labor Government has announced an investment of more than $2 million in incentives over the next 10 years, as part of its National Rental Affordability Scheme.
These new incentives will deliver 190 new and affordable homes in Dobell which will be rented at 20 per cent below the market rate- meaning that tenants doing it tough will have a greater security of long-term housing- where they can call a house their home.
