What motivated you to run for the seat of Hunter?
I have decided to run for the seat of Hunter because we locals have been ignored for far too long. The Hunter region is seen by the two major parties as a large quarry. The extractive industries pose threats to the viability of agriculture, villages and towns are suffering adverse health and problems from noise and pollution. Our region sees but a small amount of the revenue from coal and CSG and no-one in government seems to care about the plight of the people living in our region. That must change.
What do you think are the major issues in the electorate?
Issues such as CSG is a major threat to the long established wine industry which, along with various support industries along with tourism, employs about 50,000 people and is worth $5 billion in local investments.
In a similar fashion coal dust is a significant health danger to our community, the coal miners, and above all our families and friends. Having had a father die from lung cancer, caused by dusting on his lungs, I know only too well how real the threat can be.
Linked with the health threat of lung cancer, is likewise our health service overall. Our hospitals are in dire need of attention. They need modernisation immediately. In other areas we need new hospitals such as around Branxton and Muswellbrook.
Public transport options are very limited in the Hunter electorate and more trains, especially for the Upper Hunter population, should be a priority for increased federal funding.
Gonski needs to be fully implemented especially in rural regions. We can’t have half promises over the future education of our children. Just as importantly is that TAFE must gain a major injection of funds. The Coalition state government has starved it and it is suffering as a result. If TAFE needs to be federalised then I am more than happy to move such legalisation through Parliament. Similarly the universities must regain their $2.3 million funding with more added to ensure that, once our children reach Year 12, there are positions available to them in courses of their choosing.
Animal welfare is often overlooked, at the Federal level, yet now more than ever the Federal government needs major reforms in dealing with several issues. Live Export is one such issue, but there is also the requirement for better protection for our native wildlife, national parks need protection as well, then there is the super trawlers which need to be banned, whilst the kill rates a some pounds are far too high and need to be drastically reduced.
How do you rate your chances of winning?
It will be tough, no doubt about it, but if people want real change there’s no point voting for either the Nationals or Labor. Only the Greens are prepared to stand up for what matters and ensure that necessary reforms take place.
If elected what will be your first priority?
Our first priority will be to tackle the coal dust. Covering of the coal wagons is a must whilst ensuring that the dust created by the coal mines is kept to an absolute minimum.
Have you run for federal government before?
No
Can you tell us a little about your background and what skills do you think you can bring to the job?
At the age of 20 I started my own small business operating out of Sydney airport.
Eight years later I sold the business and began university. My academic career eventually saw me end up at Newcastle University having moved to Cessnock, some 12 years ago, where I’ve lived ever since.
As part of my academic career I’ve taught at high school and guest lectured and tutored at Newcastle.
Currently I am vice president of the Society of Companion Animal Rescuers where my duties include conducting various meetings with councils throughout the Hunter Valley, championing animal welfare issues, communicating with various government departments, photographing and promoting pound animals and finding foster carers for hundreds of them, whilst supervising 15 different groups covering some 500 foster carers.
Due to a mix of academia and life experience, I have good organisational and communication skills and the determination to pursue important issues to a successful conclusion.
What do you think is your biggest challenge in this election?
The biggest challenge will be convincing the majority of voters that the Greens are a viable alternative with the best policies for Hunter.
It’s a safe Labor seat what do you think the chances are of it staying that way given what’s happened within the party over the last few years.
I have heard a lot of local discontent, over the last year, about how Labor has handled government in general and how the local member has responded to people’s concerns in particular. There is more to Hunter than merely the Expressway which has been on the cards for the last 25 years.
We have major concerns about Coal Seam Gas, the situation with coal dust is nothing but disgraceful, the dominance of the coal mines over everything else, especially property rights, is nothing but sheer arrogance. Meanwhile our hospitals have been allowed to fall apart, the case of Muswellbrook being a prime example, whilst our schools desperately need massive funding.
All of this has been allowed to happen at the expense of the people of Hunter. They are far from impressed by Joel Fitzgibbon’s performance and they are starting to realise that, by voting for the same party, nothing changes.
Above all I will listen to what the people of the Hunter truly need. I intend to be their representative in Canberra and not the reverse.
Why should people vote for you?
I will stand up for what matters in areas such as health, education and public transport. I will also be a voice in parliament for those who need a voice, single parents, refugees, the aged and those with a disability. As a member of the community, and as the vice president of the Society of Companion Animal Rescuers, I have a proven record of being actively involved in making the lives of animals in my community better.
I will take a strong work ethic with me as the representative for Hunter with a determination to ensure that a successful resolution occurs in any particular issue. I will not sit idle, for example, whilst thousands of people are being exposed to coal dust. I am even prepared to push a private members bill through the Federal Parliament demanding that the coal wagons are covered, that the dust created at the coal mines is kept to an absolute minimum or otherwise the mines will face multimillion dollar fines. We have to get tough with the coal mining companies, as government has with the tobacco industry, as the lives of our families, especially our children, are put at serious risk from coal dust.
VIEWER QUESTION from ANNE DAND: What plans do each party have to address the ageing population?
The Greens have a very strong and comprehensive policy to address the ageing population which can be read in full on the Greens website.
Aspects of our policy include ensuring a decent income for all older people and providing a range of affordable and appropriate accommodation options. There must be a high quality aged care system and also appropriate services for those who choose to stay in their own homes, including appropriate care for those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and those from other cultural backgrounds.
Funding must be increased to enhance the numbers, skills and salaries of staff in the aged care sector as well as funding provided for extra services for support services for those staying in their own homes.
The Greens also would improve employment options for the elderly through various means including flexible working hours, skills training and community based education.
The Greens would focus on early intervention and preventative health measures as well as increasing funding for dementia research and providing support for families/ carers of sufferers.
Good on you, David!