The Newcastle Herald invited all the region’s federal election hopefuls to introduce themselves, explain why voters should choose them and outline their positions on three key issues in their own words.
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See their responses in ballot order below, or browse the region’s other seats as details are published.
Pat Conroy
Age: 37
Party: Labor
Biography: I grew up on the Central Coast and live in Speers Point, where my wife Keara and I are raising our two young children.
I am an economist and have worked in the mining and manufacturing sectors, before becoming Deputy Chief of Staff to Greg Combet.
I was instrumental in the development of defence industry policy, the Clean Energy Future Package and the Plan for Australian Jobs.
I was then elected to Parliament in 2013. I am Labor's Waste Watch Spokesperson and was Deputy Chair of two parliamentary committees:
1. Public Accounts and Audit; and
2. Trade and Investment Growth.
Why voters should choose you: I am fighting to protect Medicare because I understand that preventative health measures actually reduce the pressure on local hospitals like Belmont, Wyong and the John Hunter.
Labor will reverse the freeze on Medicare rebates to encourage bulk billing rates and scrap the plan to increase prescription medicine costs by up to $5 a script.
I know the value of great schools, affordable and accessible childcare and quality public recreation spaces. Labor's commitment to fully fund the ‘Gonski’ education reforms will deliver over $33 million to schools in Shortland in the next two years alone.
I will work to improve transport infrastructure and strengthen our economy at a local level. Labor has announced a commitment of $13 million to help finish the Glendale Interchange, which would create 10,000 local jobs.
A vote for Labor and I in this Federal Election is a vote for better health services, well-resourced schools and more local jobs.
Your stance on Republicanism: We should have an Australian head of state. I fully support Australian becoming a republic.
Your stance on same sex marriage: I believe that good policy must be underpinned by the enduring values of equity, fairness and social justice. Therefore, I support marriage equality as I believe the current legal framework is discriminatory toward same sex couples. I will vote in favour of marriage equality whenever legislation to that effect is debated in Parliament. It is important that this bill will ensure that nothing in the Marriage Act imposes an obligation on a minister of religion to solemnise any marriage..
Your stance on the environment: Few in the current parliament have done more to combat climate change than I. I was one of the principle policy architects of Labor’s emissions trading scheme that reduced carbon pollution by 14 million tonnes in the 2 years it operated while jobs and investment grew.
The best way to tackle climate change is to place a cap on pollution and use an emissions trading scheme to price in carbon. This way we cut pollution at the cheapest cost to the economy and put in place strong incentives for investments in clean energy.
Jenny Barrie
Age: 54
Party: Liberal Party
Biography: I’m Jenny Barrie and I’m your Liberal Candidate for Shortland. Having lived locally and run my own small business for over 25 years, my experience has taught me that a strong economy means more jobs, growth and investment, something that has been a driving force for me. I also know the importance of giving back to the community that has supported me. That’s why I’ve worked with local organisations and business groups from Lake Macquarie to Newcastle, helping make a difference in our area. Now, I want to use my experience and passion as your local voice in Canberra.
Why voters should choose you: I’ve lived in Shortland for more than 25 years, and I understand what matters to people locally. I’ve also worked with small and large businesses for the last 25 years, and I know what businesses need to grow.
I’m passionate about developing our youth. The Turnbull Liberal Team’s innovation and Science programme is helping to prepare our children for the jobs of the future by boosting participation in Science, Technology, English and Maths.
The Turnbull Liberal Team will also invest $840.3 million youth jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire), helping to equip young jobseekers by getting them ready and giving them a go. Employability Skill Training will be delivered to all young job seekers in jobactive (aged 15-24 years) within five months of a job seeker being in employment services.
As part of Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberal team, I’m asking for your vote to stick to Plan for a Strong New Economy that will deliver Jobs and Growth for Shortland.
Your stance on Republicanism: I believe the best time for a referendum on an Australian Republic would be at the end of the Queen’s reign. There needs to be widespread support among the public for this referendum to be successful. We want to unite our nation, not divide it.
Your stance on same sex marriage: Same sex marriage is an issue that has been debated widely in our community. If elected, the Turnbull Liberal Team will hold a plebiscite on same sex marriage shortly after the election, so that a decision on this can be made by all Australians.
Your stance on the environment: The Turnbull Government’s climate change policies are working to reduce Australia’s emissions. We are meeting and beating our Climate Change targets, improving the environment and playing our part internationally.
The Government’s $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund is successfully supporting Australian businesses, communities and landholders to reduce emissions. The Fund is supporting practical emissions reduction projects and providing incentives for businesses to transition to the low emissions economy.
Australia played an active and important part in shaping the recent Paris Climate Agreement. We were among 170 parties to sign the agreement in April 2016.
Ivan Macfadyen
Age: No response.
Party: No response.
Biography: No response.
Why voters should choose you: No response.
Your stance on Republicanism: No response.
Your stance on same sex marriage: No response.
Your stance on the environment: No response.
Morgan Cox
Age: No response.
Party: No response.
Biography: No response.
Why voters should choose you: No response.
Your stance on Republicanism: No response.
Your stance on same sex marriage: No response.
Your stance on the environment: No response.