Newcastle News

CANDIDATE Q & A – Jaimie Abbott, Liberal candidate for Newcastle

What motivated you to run for the seat of Newcastle?

As a proud Novocastrian, I have always believed in giving back to the community, through my work as President of Hunter Animal Rescue, the Hunter Business Women’s Network, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Volunteer Support Group.

I want to have the opportunity to make Newcastle an even better to place to live in.I want to ease the burden on local families dealing with the rising cost of living, create more jobs and deliver better frontline services for our region. We will scrap the carbon tax and cut red tape for small businesses so they can prosper.

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

The cost of living under the Carbon Tax, high unemployment rate and in particular youth unemployment, lack of investment into the city CBD, infrastructure around the electorate and the effects of red tape on small businesses.

Labor is the only party to have ever held the seat – how do you rate your chances of being the first Liberal member? Why do you think it is time for change?

Newcastle has been taken for granted for over 100 years. It’s time for Newcastle to be heard and I will be that voice.

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

As it becomes clear that the Coalition will form Government on September 7, do you want a strong voice in government or a member in opposition? I am the strong voice Newcastle needs in government.

If elected what will be your first priority?

Scrapping the carbon tax to ease the cost of living for all Novocastrians.

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

I have developed strong leadership skills from my time in the RAAF and in Afghanistan. I also have strong community connections through my volunteer work with Hunter Animal Rescue, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Volunteer Support Group and the Hunter Business Women’s Network. I have also run a small business, so I understand
the challenges small business owners face. I have also worked for Bob Baldwin and developed a strong work ethic from my time working as his media adviser.

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

The biggest challenge is winning – it’s the only original seat in the country that has been held by Labor continuously since Federation.

Is this the first time you have run for a federal seat?

Yes

Why should Newcastle residents vote for you?

I went to Afghanistan in 2011 to serve my country and now I want to go to Federal Parliament to serve the people of Newcastle. If the Coalition is elected I will have a seat at the table of government and be a strong voice for the Newcastle community.

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