CANDIDATE Q & A – Steve Camilleri, Christian Democratic Party candidate for Charlton

What motivated you to run for the seat of Carlton?

To serve, first time asked, I said, “No “ then asked again I agreed. The Christian Democratic Party is a group of dedicated Christian’s willing to take the heat for their beliefs. They don’t give up and the person who asked me to stand was an example of these fine principles.

What issues are important to you in the electorate?

Standing up for the principles and standards of Australia past, which built this nation, slogan God, People and Country. In a rapidly advancing technological society, we enter with fully functioning and resilient families not dysfunctional ones. Provide as much work as possible in skilled and unskilled areas, training with job placements (provided if possible) which has proven to be a frustration for so many. Minimum amount of work experience stops employment to the willing and slams the door to our youth and breaks their confidence for the future.

What would be your first priority if elected?

Be the green light for support and guidance for those standing firm for traditional marriage and family views but No 1 is employment, employment and more employment for our youth, middle aged and seniors if they want it.

What will people be getting if they vote for you?

A public servant based upon Christian principles that cannot be broken. They are Honesty, Truth and Integrity.

How do you rate your chances of winning?

The same as the other candidates.

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

I left school in 1975 with a School Certificate aged 15 years old and started work straight away.

Some highlights are:

Highlights

Army Reserve 2/3 Field Regiment 2 years
RAAF 1980-1989 Police Dog Handler and received the Commanding Officer’s Commendation Award for “Alertness On Duty” 1985
Australian Protective Service Officer 1989 – 2002 and was Acting Sergeant for the ANSTO (Nuclear Reactor) under the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department. Awarded the Australian Protective Service Medal by the Federal Police
Justice of the Peace for NSW for 15 years
Completed studies with John Knox Theological College (Presbyterian Reformed Church) in Systematic Theology I,II,III, Historical Theology, Old Testament I, II, Pastoral Theology I, & Apologetics
Certificate II in Information Technology TAFE (Last Module not completed)
Public School Scripture teacher for 5 schools in Sydney and currently Newcastle for 10 years
Stood for the Seat of Charlestown 2011 NSW State Elections
Member of the St Andrews Wallsend Presbyterian Church
Currently working as a cleaner.

My skills are a Christian prospective on life, purpose, and its meaning.
Pro- God, Pro- Life Pro- Hope.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge in this election?

Fighting against the political gloom and cynicism people have surrendered to and say, if a cleaner can obtain to high office, just maybe the system instituted from a biblical basis still works after all.

Who are you preferencing?

That is left to the CDP to decide, who I trust or I would not represent them.

* VIEWER QUESTION: What are you intending to do about climate change? I don’t want to know about carbon taxes, or carbon trading….I want to know when there’s going to be mandatory solar power for each new built home. I want to know when coal is going to stop being stockpiled on Kooragang. And how all this will happen without further spending.

1/ “I believe there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane or other greenhouse gases or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the earth’s atmosphere and disruption of the earth’s climate”
I concur with this belief as to 31,487 American Scientists and 9,029 with PhDs. Please go to Global Warming Petition Project to confirm information at http://www.petitionproject.org/index.php So I will support ending carbon tax and carbon trading and let business do their thing unhindered.
2/ I would only support mandatory anything if that’s what the people want and its proven good for the nation. People should decide in a free society if they would like solar panels.
3/ Coal at Kooragang requires further research within my part can you assist me with material that you have acquired about this to start the ball rolling.

VIEWER QUESTION: Do you think it is fair that some women are being discriminated against in the new parental leave proposal?

Women who stay home with their children. Women who are on low wages. Also men and women who are employed by a very small business, maybe the only employee. These businesses cannot afford to have their only staff absent for so long, and also pay them for the privilege. Aren’t all the women of Australia worth the same?
1/ Fair works both ways, listening to both viewpoints employer and employee. Discrimination is part of the makeup of choice. Is it good or bad discrimination?
I like women at home and those on low wages not to miss out and businesses not to be crippled with new requlations or job losses which could occur. These are the thoughts I would bring to the proposal. All women of Australia are worthy as they are all wonderfully unique individuals made by God.