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Shire feels overlooked Page 14 - MANSFIELD COURIER - Wednesday, May 11, 2022
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2022 federal election Indi Candidates 2 three things you would pursue as Indi’s elected representative, Q2 Q1 Name to aid local recovery from the impacts of the COVID pandemic?
ALEKSOV, Angel Animal Justice Party
HAINES, Helen Independent
PRESIDENT TAKES OUT COMPETITION PRESIDENT Laurie Fitzpatrick blasting his way to win the Bushranger Championship. ■ Story on back page
O’CONNELL, Lachlan Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party
WILLIAMS, Stephen United Australia Party
STEVENS, Beth
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Carefully allocate federal funding for industries hit by lockdowns and travel restrictions. Tourism, hospitality, retail and health have all lost staff and their valuable experience and all need help with sourcing and training staff. Subsidise small businesses in all tourism and hospitality sectors by providing discount vouchers and other incentives for locals and tourists to visit accommodation and hospitality venues. Fund mental health outreach programmes and expand existing services to support all community members in their emotional and mental health recoveries, with a particular focus on youth.
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Workforce shortages have been a real challenge as we emerge from the pandemic. We need sector planning and support so we are not so heavily reliant on international workers and can grow our own. Tourism and events needs strong support to rebuild the visitor economy and support SMEs that were decimated by lockdowns. Victoria’s ambulance response times, particularly in regional areas, are at a point of crisis. Hospital ramping is a key part of the problem, leaving ambulances banked outside of regional hospitals waiting for a bed. Our regional hospitals need more beds, more investment, to relieve bottlenecks in the health system.
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1 – Ensure that the damage caused by the state and federal governments response to COVID can never happen again. Make it impossible for government to mandate vaccines, lockdowns and other family, personal and business destroying measures to be implemented. 2 – Get all people back to work by allowing those who have chosen not to have a vaccine to re enter the workforce, free of discrimination. 3 – Pressure councils and state governments to rezone land for housing and encourage the construction of new housing as a priority.
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Three things I would pursue to aid local recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are, firstly I would look to getting people back into work, ending the workplace vaccine mandates and believe the vaccine mandates are assisting with the workplace shortages. I would attempt to implement One Nation’s health policy to assist with the health system crisis at the moment and I would fight for a royal commission into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as One Nation’s policy states not to lay blame but to learn and be better prepared if and when the next pandemic comes along.
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As Indi’s elected representative, I would focus on increasing resilience to aid local recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. The Greens will close the gender pay gap, and give casual and contract workers access to protections and entitlements, protecting the rights of all workers. We will support recovery in the arts industry, which brings income into communities across Indi, with additional recovery funding and pandemic insurance for live events. As experts advise, we will fund schools to install high efficiency particulate air filtration systems in all classrooms and communal indoor areas, to protect the health of students and teachers.
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The pandemic resulted in working from home, online education and telehealth while many businesses pivoted to online sales. This required digital connectivity. Continued investment in fast, reliable and accessible connectivity is essential. Tourism to the North East has returned and hospitality staff are desperately needed. However, it’s difficult for workers to find a place to live. The government has programs to
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I know times are tough, with the costs of groceries, fuel and power going up. And because of this I’ve put forward detailed plans to boost affordable housing and lower power prices – two key drains on the household budget. Second, we need to invest in our local health system by bringing more healthcare workers to our region. My plan is to triple the number of doctors we train locally, and bring more psychologists and psychiatrists to the regions by offering university debt relief. Third, we need to guarantee our economic recovery by investing in tourism, renewable energy, and local manufacturing.
INDI is in the top-ten electorates for climate change impact, with one in nine properties set to be uninsurable by 2030, according to report by the Climate Council. The report has investigated an Australian ‘insurability crisis’, finding 11 per cent of Indi properties will be uninsurable by 2030 due to high damage costs caused by extreme weather and climate change. Riverine flooding, bushfires and extreme wind are three areas of risk resulting in these high damage costs. Euroa’s risk profile suggests that just over 10 per cent of properties will be at risk. The data for other towns in the
BY GUS RIDDER gridder@ nemedia.com.au
region had Violet Town at 6 per cent, Longwood at just 2 per cent, Avenel at 13 per cent, Strathbogie at 11 per cent and Nagambie at 25 per cent. While Indi was the eighth highest listed electorate, neighbouring region Nicholls, which covers parts of Strathbogie and Mitchell, took the title of the most at-risk electorate in Australia. Data showed that Shepparton, a part of Nicholls, had 93 per cent of its properties at risk by 2030.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Laura Binks, herself a dedicated spokesperson for the Climate Council, discussed her thoughts on the region being so vulnerable to climate impact. “Seeing the worst-case scenario outlook for our community is alarming,” Cr Binks said. “In our communities we are already seeing the effects of Climate Change. “This is why in 2021, we became the 100th council in Australia to declare a climate emergency and just the third to do so unanimously. “We are serious about mitigating against the risks that climate change
pose for the social, economic, and environmental prosperity of our community. “The climate change science is undeniable, and we must act now to protect the future for generations to come. “Since declaring a climate emergency, council has been working with its community to prioritise and set mitigation, adaptation and resilience actions.” Cr Binks also recommended that community members provide feedback on the council’s draft climate change action plan that is currently open for public feedback. ■ Continued page 2
As a barrister, I have a good understanding of the law and how it works at all levels of government. I know how to keep sitting governments accountable for their actions and how to make sure they stick to their promises. I believe strongly in the power of communities and all my decisions as a representative will be based on the Animal Justice Party’s values: kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence.
For the last three years, the people of Indi have seen that I fight for us every single day. We will only stamp out corruption from politics and stop the waste of public money by voting in a strong Independent voice who won’t take no for an answer. Only an Independent can truly be our champion in Canberra. Because as an Independent, I work and fight for you.
I strongly believe in the policies of the Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party: Sack weak judges; Jail paedophiles; Aged care ratios and quality food; Jail not bail; End animal cruelty; and Public sex offenders register now. I am about to be married and hopefully have children. I want them grow up in a healthy and happy environment.
The current members of Federal Parliament cannot be trusted to ensure our freedom and rights. Almost none have spoken out against the terrible consequences of the past two years of attacks on our freedom. Nobody can flourish in a state where their freedom of choice and movement is restricted. The UAP has policies that will pay back the debt, guarantee our future freedom and revitalise the economy. We are the future.
I believe all voters in the Indi electorate should look at all party policies and meet with the candidates if possible to help them decide who to vote for. I believe you can’t vote for who you dont believe in and believe the policies should align with the individuals values.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
A1 GILBERT, Benjamin The Australian Greens
In balance of power, the Greens will push the next government to take action on climate change, including no new coal and gas, seriously address gender pay equality, bring dental and mental health into Medicare, create affordable housing, a fully-resourced NDIS, wipe student debt and make uni/TAFE free again, free childcare, quality aged care, and make billionaires and big corporations to pay their fair share of tax. Vote 1 Benjamin Gilbert, vote 1 Greens in the Senate.
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Voters in Indi know what they are getting with a vote for me, Liz Fisher. Years volunteering in my community show I genuinely care. Operating a successful business, I understand financial management and providing employment to others. Being a farmer and one of 10 children, I am practical and look to innovative solutions to
Candidates have their say
Indi feels the heat In the worst 10 electorates impacted p byy climate change g and extreme weather
In your final pitch to the Indi electorate, why should they vote for you?
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