What background experience do you bring to the political table?
With two university degrees in business, and over ten years running a small business with clients across Australia, I bring a focus on how to create and sustain secure jobs in New England. Growing up on the urban fringe, I also being a deep love of our natural environment and understand the important role this plays in our economic and social wellbeing. I am the founder and president of our political party and want to establish even stronger links with regional NSW and Australia.
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What are your main priorities for the Upper Hunter?
Travelling around the electorate in our mobile ‘Voter Van’ for weeks, I’m running to increase awareness of our independent, centrist party.
New England needs secure jobs in a more diverse economy, by adding value to manufacturing and agriculture, and investing in small business entrepreneurship. Our national economy is too reliant on big city property speculation, and Australia’s economic capital is encouraged into that unsustainable segment by bad tax concessions (negative gearing, capital gains tax discounts), foreign buyers and high immigration. This must be reformed so our economic capital is re-allocated back into our factories, farms and businesses in regional Australia.
What is your stance on the Scone bypass / railway overpass?
Better rail connectivity, along with better broadband and telecommunications connectivity, is vital for regional Australia if we are to drive sustainable prosperity and liveability. We would like to see a holistic plan to rebuild regional rail in NSW and Australia. However, the health impacts of coal trains are a complex issue, and we really need to be reducing our coal reliance. I would need to talk specifically to locals on this issue before determining if I would support it.
What is your stance on renewable energy and the balance between mining and agriculture in the region?
Sustainable Australia supports the science that humans are contributing to climate change, and wants to see energy and government subsidies transferred from fossil fuels to renewables. We do not support any new export-based coal mines, or CSG mining including fracking.
We support agriculture over mining, and would like to see a more diverse economy. Mining needs to be more environmentally accountable, and has a place in the broader economy where properly managed.
What are the top three areas of concern to you in this electorate?
New England needs:
Secure jobs in a more diverse economy, by adding value to manufacturing and agricultural production, and investing in small business entrepreneurship;
A sustainable environment with no CSG/fracking or coal mines;
Stop the Barnaby Joyce-endorsed sale of New England agricultural land and assets to foreign buyers.
Why should the Upper Hunter vote for you?
Voters are sick of politicians stuffing up and selling off our country! We are asking both for people’s vote and their voice, on important local and national issues.
Sustainable Australia is an independent party that offers a fresh choice for people in regional NSW prioritising four big issues – secure jobs, affordable housing, better planning, and a sustainable environment and population. We offer a real plan for a better, not bigger Australia.