Newcastle News

CANDIDATE Q & A – John Brown, Greens candidate for Paterson

John_Brown_PatersonWhat motivated you to run for the seat of Paterson?

I am very concerned about the future. There is an ancient North American proverb: “We do not inherit this land from our ancestors – we borrow it from our children”. This is precisely why I have chosen to represent the Greens in the seat of Paterson at this election. I want to improve our environment, not destroy it for profit. I want to leave this world a better place than when I came into it.

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

Coal seam gas mining is the top of my list. I believe in food, not gas. Coal seam gas mining should not be allowed to destroy our farmlands and aquifers. The Greens and many farmers have joined forces to protect our land. The Greens want to stop coal seam gas mining, and the toxic fracking process on productive agricultural land, urban areas and in water catchments. Looking at the western areas of Paterson, around Dungog and Clarence Town, the roads have become a disaster. So much cost-shifting from the state government to local councils has left the roads a patchwork of temporary repair work. We need federal intervention. Closer to Maitland a major consideration is the coal line and the pollution from passing wagons. This pollution is a major health concern, particularly with children and asthma.

If elected what will be your first priority?

To call for a moratorium on coal seam gas mining until a comprehensive study has been completed to determine the dangers to farmland and water.

Have you run for federal government before?

No. This is my first time. It has been a lot of work but I am happy to stand up for the Greens and our environment.

Can you tell us a little about your background and what skills you think you can bring to the job?

I am now a freelance journalist after a long career in newspapers, including working at the Maitland Mercury and the Newcastle Herald. I have a very strong local knowledge of the Paterson electorate and have the enthusiasm to travel throughout the electorate on a regular basis.

How do you rate your chances of winning this election?

Very slim. There has been a big push toward the right-wing of politics, but I always live in hope that the public, including young voters, will see the value in voting Green.

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

Winning over a majority of support as we only have a small campaign budget. The old parties have many millions to spend and get their message across. Communication is difficult.

Why should people vote for you?

Because the Greens have integrity and are standing up for the future, because I am a father and I care about what happens to our children and grandchildren.

Who will you be preferencing?

In the lower house we preference Labor 2, Palmer 3, Liberals 4, before the small right-wing parties.
In the Senate we chose Pirate Party 2, WikiLeaks 3, then well down the list to Labor before the Coalition. A vote for the Greens in the Senate is a vote to keep the Shooters Party and Pauline Hanson out.

VIEWER QUESTION from Les Merrett ” We run a charity for people with autism, what are you going to do to help us establish a respite and training facility and what are you going to do to help people with autism and their families?

The Greens are not only a party for the environment. One of our four pillars is social justice and you can be assured that the Greens will be pursuing every avenue to support worthy organisations. This appears to be one of them.

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