The Candidates Speak

We’ve given the candidates a copy of our first listening report, and asked how they will address the issues raised.

We are hoping they will make the time to read the report, look at the responses from all our KTCs, surveys and listening post events on the O’Connor Speaks page and share their views.

In particular we are interested to know:

1.        the issues they see as the most important and relevant to the people of O’Connor,

2.        their vision for the next 3 years and beyond, should they be elected as our representative in the next parliament. and

3.        the steps they will take to build relationships with the people across the O’Connor electorate.

We told them that we will share all the responses we receive across our social media platforms to assist O’Connor electors in their decision-making.

See for yourself what they have to say

Their own words, unedited and unendorsed.

(The candidates are in the same order as they will show on the ballot paper)

What the Candidates are Saying

  • Lindsay Cameron

    TRUMPET OF PATRIOTS

    Most important and relevant issues

    The issues that I am most focused on at this time, in response to community concern, are the drastic cost of living increases and the cost of housing. These issues are two sides of the same coin. However, there are a number of other issues that have a direct impact on these two fundamental issues, including the sourcing of electricity and water, foreign debt, immigration, and foreign ownership of property in Australia.

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    Reducing the cost of living and addressing the housing crisis requires immediate action, while at the same time, effort must be given to mitigating the contributing factors (as mentioned above). Immediate moderation of immigration, international investment in housing, erection of additional housing, and improving transport to open up new housing developments will begin to turn the housing crisis around. Reconsidering our options for affordable electricity, reversal of policies that are crippling Australian farmers and other primary producers, and wide-ranging review of unfair pricing tactics by retail and distribution agents will result in modest immediate cost-of-living reduction and permanent solutions in the long-term.

    Building relationships

    Personally, I have been frustrated by the extremely short election campaign for this election, brought on by the way that the government was able to manage the election date to its own advantage. I would have liked time to visit broadly across the O'Connor electorate and I feel greatly disadvantaged by not be able to meet people face-to-face and introduce myself and our policies. If I am elected, I will travel extensively across out electorate to meet, greet and listen. This is my track-record. While the African Director for Global Partners, I was in a different African country every month for seven years. Talking to people face-to-face is the only way to really hear the felt-needs and to empower people.

  • Giz Watson

    THE GREENS

    Most important and relevant issues

    The three issues that we understand to be most important and relevant to the people of O'Connor are the escalating impacts of climate change - changing and less predictable weather patterns including reduced rainfall in many parts of O'Connor and warmer weather. This is affecting natural ecosystems and farming businesses. We are seeing mass die-off in forest and woodlands as well as marine heatwaves. Unless Australia plays it's part in a rapid transition to renewable sources of energy and stops any new coal and gas extraction these conditions are set to get worse. Remaining native vegetation must be protected and efforts to restore and regenerate country in partnership with FN communities must be supported. Funding must be restored to Landcare networks these networks haven't had an increase to funding for seven years.

    Second is the critical shortage of adequate affordable housing. The Greens will push for caps on rent increases and tax reform to prevent the exploitation of negative gearing by property investors owning multiple properties. Having safe affordable housing is a human right and it is extraordinary that in a wealthy country like Australia people are homeless and that their numbers are increasing. The Government must resume responsibility for producing social housing.

    Third is the cost of living. The Greens will continue to expose the excessive profits in Australia's supermarket duopoly. The lack of competition in the retail sector not only allows for Coles and Woolworths to price gouge but also restricts fair prices for primary producers. We will push to make price gouging illegal.

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    Pushing the government to legislate for better nature protection via a modern Environment Protection Act and nature positive legislation to halt the extinction crisis and provide a trigger for climate. Prohibiting large corporations from donating to political parties. One in three big corporations currently don't pay any tax, legislate to have them pay their fair share.

    Building relationships

    As someone who has been a Parliamentary representative for 16 years in the State Parliament I know how to maintain connections with the community. More needs to be done to facilitate community participation with regular public forums and inquiries that engage public knowledge. One of the four principles that we Greens support is participatory democracy - people should be given the opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them.

  • Heidi Tempra

    THE NATIONALS

    Most important and relevant issues

    TBD

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    TBD

    Building relationships

    TBD

  • Phillip Arnatt

    LEGALISE CANNABIS PARTY

    Most important and relevant issues

    TBD

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    TBD

    Building relationships

    TBD

  • Rick Wilson

    LIBERAL

    Most important and relevant issues

    TBD

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    TBD

    Building relationships

    TBD

  • Darren Moir

    AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

    Most important and relevant issues

    TBD

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    TBD

    Building relationships

    TBD

  • Gemma Johnston

    PAULINE HANSON’S ONE NATION

    Most important and relevant issues

    TBD

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    TBD

    Building relationships

    TBD

  • Deonne Kingsford

    AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS

    Most important and relevant issues

    TBD

    Vision for the next 3 years and beyond

    TBD

    Building relationships

    TBD