NATIONAL party candidate for the Hunter in the upcoming federal election, Michael Johnsen, with the help of his campaign team hit the streets of Singleton yesterday spreading the message that it’s time for change.
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Mr Johnsen said it’s time the residents of Hunter had a sitting member that takes decisive action in regard to the needs of the region.
“People need to stop voting for a party just because they have done so in the past or because their family has and so on,” he said.
If elected Mr Johnsen said he would work hard to address what he sees as the four key issues facing our region and the rest of Australia – the carbon tax, the mining tax, stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and the rising cost of living.
“If we win the election we will immediately repeal both taxes which will not only help reduce the cost of living but would eventually help restore confidence to the region’s economy.
“They have caused a lack of confidence in the region and even though the mining tax has only raised one tenth of the expected revenue it was meant to generate it has placed a grey cloud over the industry,” he said.
He said the coalition is focused on producing common sense policies that encourage both action and people making good decisions without being forced to.
“Unlike the carbon tax our direct action plan will encourage practical measures to reduce pollution such as carbon sequestering.
“We will invest heavily is such projects.”
Mr Johnsen is passionate about striking a balance between the three main industries in the region – coal mining, thoroughbred breeding and wine production.
Adding that preserving our precious water supplies and prime agricultural pastures should be paramount in making any decisions about this balance.
As a small business owner - Mr Johnsen is a qualified financial planner - he also keen to remove the red tape and over regulation that challenges small businesses all over the country.
“The burden of overregulation means many business owners are not enjoying it anymore,’ he said.
Another one of these practical policies would be turning the boats illegal immigrants travel into Australian water on away from our shores.
“Of course our Navy will only take this action when it is safe to do so.”
“Every boat costs us $12.8million dollars, imagine what we could do with that type of money in the region,” he commented.
Mr Johnsen said he will also do his best to ensure the Singleton by-pass becomes a reality. I have been an advocate for a by-pass since 2010,” he said.
The federal election is scheduled at this stage to take place on Saturday September, 14.
