Residents will hit the polling booths on May 21.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Southern Highland News asked the Whitlam candidates on their priorities for the Southern Highlands.
Towns and villages in the Whitlam electorate are: Mittagong, Moss Vale, Bowral, Robertson, Alymerton, Alpine, Braemar, Willowvale, Renwick, Balaclava, Welby, Berrima, New Berrima, Sutton Forest, Burradoo, Kangaloon, East Kangaloon, Manchester Square, Burrawang, Glenquarry, Avoca, Fitzroy Falls, Wildes Meadow.
These were the questions asked:
- What are your priorities for the Southern Highlands?
- What are your priorities for aged care?
- How will you relieve the cost of living pressures for Southern Highlands residents?
- How will you address climate change in the Southern Highlands?
Michael Wheeler - Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a party that stands for individual liberty, free markets and small government. We believe that large government has detracted from our commitment to community and the spirit of volunteerism. Much decision making could be decentralised from Canberra to the local communities and individuals, who are directly impacted by decisions made.
By advocating a small government - low taxation policy, the Liberal Democrats will keep more resources in the community to be used as seen fit, by the community. By reducing red and green tape, businesses and sole traders will be able to function more economically under reduced compliance overheads, to the benefit of all.
Furthermore, by allowing Nuclear power to become part of the energy mix, reliable electricity will be affordable for households and businesses alike, easing cost of living pressures both directly through our energy bills and indirectly by reducing the cost of goods and services we consume. Only the Liberal Democrats have a comprehensive policy platform aiming to give control back to us, the people of Australia.
Stephen Jones - Australian Labor Party (incumbent)
People in the Southern Highlands have had a tough three years under the Morrison Government. We've faced bushfires, floods, and COVID-19. We deserve a government that puts people first, rather than putting themselves first.
When people in the Southern Highlands tell me what their priorities are at this election, I listen.
They want the region to thrive, with great healthcare and successful local businesses. They want a government that takes cost of living pressures seriously. They want health care, child care and aged care services that work for local residents. They want a government that tackles climate change and corruption.
On aged care:
Older Australians deserve better care. They've worked hard, paid their taxes and raised their families. If we want to change aged care in this country for the better, then we need to start by changing the government.
An Albanese Labor Government will take practical measures to ensure older Australians receive the aged care they deserve:
- Putting the nurses back into nursing homes with registered nurses on site 24/7.
- Ensuring carers have more time for face-to-face care.
- Backing a pay rise for aged care workers.
- Improving food for residents by collaborating with the Maggie Beer Foundation.
- Putting accountability and integrity in the sector to ensure dollars go to care.
On cost of living:
The Liberals haven't taken the cost of living seriously. Under Scott Morrison, inflation has surged to its highest rate in twenty years - but wages remain frozen in place.
An Albanese Labor Government will provide smart, targeted cost-of-living relief by:
- Cutting the maximum price of medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme to $30
- Lowering power bills by boosting renewable energy
- Cutting the cost of childcare for Australian families
- Making it easier for young Australians in regional areas to buy a house through our Help to Buy scheme
On climate change:
Labor has a plan to slash power bills throughout Australia by boosting renewable energy. Our fully costed Powering Australia plan sets out a careful plan to upgrade the electricity grid and slash electricity prices by $275 per year.
Labor will invest in 10,000 New Energy Apprentices and a New Energy Skills Program. We'll cut the cost of electric cars and establish a National Electric Vehicle strategy, and we'll provide direct support for new industries in regional Australia through our Powering the Regions Fund.
Our plan has been backed by the National Farmers Federation and the Business Council of Australia. We will deliver net zero by 2050 - at the same time as delivering 604,000 new jobs around Australia, with 5 out of 6 of those jobs created in regional Australia.
Jamie Dixon - Australian Greens
The primary focus of the Greens campaign this election is to bring greater equity to federal government services. Ensuring that all Australians have free access to basic services like housing, healthcare, and education is the bare minimum any federal government should provide.
This includes the transition to a renewable energy economy to combat the effects of climate change, the building of affordable and accessible housing, providing free access to all levels of education, from early childhood, to TAFE and University, and expanding Medicare coverage to include gap-free dentistry, and mental health support.
On aged care:
The Greens policy to improve and secure meaningful and beneficial Aged Care is two fold. We will support and increase funding for programs that empower families to be able to care for their elder relatives in the family home.
We also recognise that this is not always possible, so we will ensure that all the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care are enacted, including recognising the needs for social and emotional care, not just physical and medical.
The Greens will also provide funding to ensure that the training provided, as well as the wages and conditions of Aged Care workers are brought into line with level of responsibility required to care for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. We will also legislate protections for the Aged in respect to family and domestic violence, and elder abuse.
On cost of living:
The transition to a renewable energy economy will bring long term relief to rising energy prices.
The leveling of the taxation playing field will provide sufficient government revenue to build affordable and social housing so everyone can have a safe place to live.
The funding of public education so that everyone has access from early childhood to University, and the wiping of student debt will drastically reduce the financial burden on families. The provision of gap-free dental and mental healthcare will provide proactive solutions to family health issues, before they become a cost of living burden.
On climate change:
The greatest driver of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels. The Greens will maintain our commitment to immediately stop subsidising carbon based energy production, and reinvest those funds in providing local renewable energy solutions to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
For the villages and towns of the Southern Highlands, this would mean community batteries to supplement solar and wind production, and for our primary producers - support sustainable agriculture practices that work with country and reduce energy and chemical dependence.
Michael Cains - Liberal Party Australia
Did not respond by deadline
Allan Wode - United Australia Party
Did not respond by deadline.
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a daily email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.
Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
