Do you live in the Highlands? If so for how long?
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Yes, I have lived in Bundanoon for 25 years. I go away often, but will always come home to the Highlands.
What are your priorities for the Southern Highlands?
The biggest issue for the Southern Highlands, and for Australia, is undoubtedly also the biggest threat we have ever faced: climate change. Meaningful action must be taken on climate change NOW - we have already wasted a decade with political infighting on this issue and cannot afford to waste another parliamentary term without comprehensive, concrete action.
I am campaigning for policy certainty for renewable energy so that commercial investment in renewable energy continues to grow. Our electorate is perfectly placed to benefit from renewable energy - about half of the wind farms in NSW, existing or planned, are in the electorate. We are close to Sydney and Canberra so transmission losses are relatively small. Renewable energy is already one of the largest economic contributors to the Hume economy but it can be so much bigger. To continue this renewable boom we need to have policy and investment certainty. I propose a target of 60% renewable energy by 2035.
What can you do that your opponents can't?
Unlike most of my opponents, I'm not a politician and have never worked in politics. I don't know what it's like to be a politician and I see this is a big advantage in the current climate! As the only candidate in Hume running as an Independent, I am not tied into tired political rhetoric or the straight jacket of party policy.
What will you do for the roads?
We need to review and improve our transport infrastructure in Hume, particularly in light of the large increase in residents in our electorate planned over the next 50 years. We need safer, more effective and less polluting transport options in Hume - poor transport planning will only ever have a negative impact economically, environmentally and to our community. We need urgent investment in Electric Vehicle infrastructure (charging stations etc).
We need need to ensure that the movement of goods across our electorate is improved in efficiency and safety. One of my key policy positions going into this election is to push for investment in modern, fast public transport and in particular the Very Fast Train link from Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne. I want to ensure Hume benefits economically from its construction and that serious consideration is given to the inclusion of a first stop in Goulburn.
I will also prioritise new, fast rail lines in tandem with plans for residential expansion in and around Camden, Picton and Appin over the coming decades.
As an Independent I cannot make policy and funding "commitments" in the same way the major Parties can, but I will commit to ensuring the concerns of our region are taken to the Parliament. I will work hard on the crossbench to ensure that the transport infrastructure in Hume is a major priority in all future planning and investment in our electorate.
What are you priorities for health services?
One thing that is always uppermost in my mind is that, no matter how fortunate we are, we are all just a couple of steps away from everything being turned on its head by physical or mental illness.
I will advocate for increased funding and support for wraparound and early intervention mental health services, particularly for our most vulnerable members of society.
I'll work to ensure anyone in Australia suffering from domestic violence, homelessness and mental health issues have well-funded services to turn to for assistance. I'll ensure that we invest in regional public healthcare and education as part of planned growth in Hume, rather than a hurried reaction to that growth.
I also firmly believe we need to address the obesity crisis in Australia by encouraging physical activity and a better quality diet - something we absolutely should be able to achieve in a country that produces some of the finest produce in the world.
What are your priorities in terms of development and infrastructure?
As Sydney marches ever outwards we need to plan not just for housing but proper infrastructure including regional transport. I will advocate for continued investment in sensible, highly-planned and integrated infrastructure and land use plans to boost economic growth and ensure Hume is a competitive regional energy and manufacturing hub, but not to the detriment of our natural environment and the liveability of our region. We have to be very careful about not burying our productive farmland under concrete with its attendant food security issues
What are your priorities on education and tertiary education ?
The continued strength of the Australian economy, and the economy of Hume, is dependent upon our ability to drive innovation, particularly in the renewable energy sector, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and information communications technology.
In order to do this, Australia needs to build upon its educational and skills training system, to ensure that we are producing workers who have the skills required to further these sectors. I will advocate for increased funding and support for school-to-work transitional programs, vocational education training programs and apprenticeships.