Newcastle News

CANDIDATE Q & A – Michael Osborne, Greens candidate for Newcastle

MichaelOsborne What motivated you to run for the seat of Newcastle?

I see the election as an opportunity to make a difference for Newcastle and to end the dominance of the duopoly of the two old parties.

I’m a strong advocate for Newcastle and I’m not afraid to stand up for a safe, liveable and generous future for our city and our future generations.

What do you think are the major issues in the electorate?

Newcastle can lead the way to a clean energy transition, ensuring our region remains the proud powerhouse of the national economy. We can make this happen by investing in research, innovation and infrastructure for a strong regional economy and jobs after the mining boom.

A clean energy future means improved air quality and local investment for the people of Newcastle, where we have already have the unparalleled expertise and skills in manufacturing and energy industries, and a port that can export to the world.

This isn’t business as usual. Newcastle needs a strong advocate to drive these changes.

We can enhance our capacity for world-class innovation through increased funding for the Newcastle University and Hunter TAFE and revitalise local business and our manufacturing sector by securing clean and renewable energy opportunities and investment.

Our political representatives need to show leadership by promoting a more caring and fairer society.

This includes making the polluters pay for their pollution and getting a fair share of the mining boom, so we can invest in the welfare of our communities to make essential services like healthcare and public housing available to everyone.

A more caring and fairer society also means allowing those who love one another to marry if they wish, restoring benefits to single parents and others in need and treating asylum seekers calmly and humanely.

Newcastle deserves a representative that has the courage to stand up for a safe, liveable and generous future for our city and our future generations.

Labor is the only party to have ever held the seat – how do you rate your chances being the first to member to change that trend?

The Greens are the only real alternative to the old parties. We are the only party with a real vision for the future. We don’t have our head in the sand on climate change. We have credible and costed policies that promote a more caring and fairer society.

What would you say to people who might, because of preferences, think a vote for the Greens is a vote for Labor?

Voters in Newcastle can choose their own preferences.

A vote for the Greens is a vote for a clear set of policies, as opposed to the sound-bite policies from the old parties.

A vote for the Greens will prevent Abbott from controlling both Houses of Parliament.

A vote for the Greens is a vote for a safer, more liveable and more generous future for our city and our future generations.

What would you say to voters who might still be undecided?

Vote Green, because Newcastle deserves a representative that has the courage to stand up for a safe, liveable and generous future for our city and our future generations.

If elected what will be your first priority?

Positioning Newcastle at the forefront of the clean energy transition, with increased funding for Newcastle University, Hunter TAFE and research and development. This investment will mean a stronger and more sustainable regional economy as well as improved air quality and local investment for the people of Newcastle.

What skills do you think you can bring to the job?

Local knowledge, technical expertise, experience in government and familiarity with the sentiment of the local electorate as well as a proven ability to articulate an alternative path that is based on a rational understanding of the problems facing Newcastle and the aspirations of the our residents for a healthy lifestyle, healthy industries and a healthy environment.

What do you think is your biggest challenge in winning this election?

Engaging with enough people so that they know that there is an alternative to the destructive and inhumane policies of the two old parties.

Why should Newcastle residents vote for you?

Residents know that I’m a strong advocate for Newcastle and I’m not afraid to stand up for a safe, liveable and generous future for our city and our future generations.

How will your preferences be going?

Voters in Newcastle can choose their own preferences.

On election day, we will be giving voters our recommendation on preferencing that puts the candidates in order from those with the most courage to stand up for what matters.

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