VILLAGE PUMP
The Samford Progress Association’s free community newspaper printed continuously since 1977.
The
@TheVillagePumpSamford
“Your Community Newspaper, owned by the Samford Community and produced for the benefit of the Samford Community.” 13 MAY, 2022
P: 0477 663 696
E: editor@villagepump.org.au NEXT DEADLINE THURSDAY 19/05/2022
MEET THE CANDIDATES: FEDERAL ELECTION 2022 Aged care failings, the rising cost of healthcare, climate change, aircraft noise and local NBN coverage were key topics raised by Samford residents to this year’s Dickson candidates. The Meet The Candidates event took place in late April at Samford’s Farmers Hall, providing a key forum for the community to meet those hopeful of representing us in Canberra. Organised and facilitated by the Samford and Districts Progress and Protection Association (SDPPA), all candidates in the upcoming Federal election were invited and encouraged to appear at the event, with the following in attendance: (Photo: L-R): Ali France (Australian Labor Party), Alina Karen Ward (United Australia Party), Alan Buchbach, (Independent), Tamera Gibson (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation), Thor Prohaska (Independent), Vinnie Batten (Queensland Greens). Apologies were received from Peter Dutton (Liberal National Party of Queensland) and Lloyd Russell (Liberal Democratic Party). Candidates had five minutes to introduce themselves and outline major policies before the floor opened to questions from local residents keen to know how each candidate would respond to local and national issues. The evening commenced with discussion on NBN blackspots in Samford Valley, with all candidates agreeing that the current technology being used was insufficient to
meet the needs of reliable internet in this area. There was discussion on the ALP’s original plan for fibre-optics which was priced at $29 billion compared to the $60 billion current spend on the NBN. “If I do get elected, I will make it my mission to improve telecommunications across this Valley,” Ali France (ALP) said. The ALP plans to expand full-fibre NBN access across Australia, while satellite options were also raised by Independent Alan Buchbach. “It’s less than $15.5 million for a satellite, you can park that over any area that can’t get good NBN coverage, instead of billions of dollars to lay out cable,” he said. Tamera Gibson (One Nation) said a satellite option would work best for remote
areas but advocated a differential system depending on where people were located. Independent Thor Prohaska advocated direct community action, noting this same issue came up at the last Meet The Candidates meeting three years ago. He encouraged residents to keep petitioning their local member. The rising cost of seeing a GP was another question from the audience that drew applause. Tamera Gibson (One Nation) said she was keen to increase funding for GPs under the Medicare rebate, while Alina Karen Ward (UAP) said her party would put more money back into hospitals. Continued over
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