2022 Federal Election: Candidates for Hume reveal top three priorities
The federal election candidates for Hume reveal top their three priorities as campaigning ramps up.
The Bowral News
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In just over a month Hume residents will flock to the polling booths and decide who will lead the next chapter of the region’s future in politics.
With the 2022 federal election rapidly approaching, campaigns are in full swing and seven politically diverse candidates are vying for the Hume seat currently held by Angus Taylor.
Since the last election in 2019 the community has dealt with the devastating impacts of Covid, bushfires and floods.
And on May 21, the region will decide who they think will best advocate for their region.
The candidates putting up their hands to represent the people of Hume have shared a bit about themselves and their top three priorities for this election.
ANGUS TAYLOR
The current federal member for Hume, Angus Taylor, has hopes to be re-elected for another term.
The Liberal member was originally voted into the federal parliament in September 2013 as the Member for Hume.
Following the 2019 election, Mr Taylor was appointed Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction.
Prior to entering parliament, Mr Taylor was a Director at Port Jackson Partners, where he was a strategy and business adviser on the resources, agriculture, energy and infrastructure sectors.
Before this, he was a partner at global consulting firm McKinsey & Co.
The father of four lives in Goulburn and grew up in southern NSW on a sheep and cattle property at Nimmitabel.
Mr Taylor said in the lead-up to the election, he stands by his “track record” of delivering for the residents of Hume.
“Areas like Hume offer a wonderful lifestyle for those looking to escape the major cities, and the government has been investing heavily in this region, with over $4 billion invested in infrastructure since the coalition came to government,” he said.
“The economy, rising cost of living and national security will be the main concern for voters at the ballot box.
“Practical local outcomes are what people in our region care about – that is my focus every day.”
Rebecca Thompson
Contesting the seat of Hume, Rebecca Thompson represents Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and said she is eager to make a difference.
She’s served in both state and federal customer service positions for more than 13 years, and has done outreach work to assist vulnerable people access government assistance and resources.
A mother of two young children, Ms Thompson says she is passionate about preserving the Australian way of life and values for future generations.
“Now more than ever we are seeing the impacts and pressure of the increased cost of living on so many Australians, with so many people going without food and medical necessities,” she said.
“Affordable cost of living is one of the key issues for me in this upcoming election.
“In addition to this, another key issue is to abolish the mandates and allow Australians to get back to work.”
Ms Thompson said there were severe staff shortages and Australians had sacrificed so much these past two years under restrictions imposed upon them due to Covid.
The third key issue for Ms Thompson this election is Family Law reform.
“As a child who was let down by the family law system, I can confirm how broken the system is and how the child’s best interest is not always at the forefront of decisions made by court systems and processes,” she said.
“I would like to see a complete reform, following the family law inquiry led by Senator Hanson in 2019, 60 recommendations were determined.
“Recommendations tell us there is a problem, I want to see these problems resolved immediately, so no more children and their families suffer.”
Garry Dollin
Also contesting the seat of Hume is United Australia Party member Garry Dollin.
Describing himself as a “devoted husband” and father of four, Mr Dollin has been a resident of the area for many years.
When he finished Year 12, he found himself needing paid employment over tertiary education and took up mechanical and electrical trades.
“I studied a degree in maths/physics at Western Sydney university however changed to independently study aquaculture recirculation systems particularly for Murray Cod but also barramundi,” Mr Dollin said.
“I became a primary producer for Murray Cod and Barramundi for just under 20 years, producing many tons annually.”
Mr Dollin said his focus this election was primarily on ensuring residents were protected from interest rate rises.
He said this would see capping home loans at 3 per cent for five years to ensure Australian families don’t lose their homes once interest rates start to rise.
Mr Dollin also wants a 15 per cent licence fee on iron ore.
“[This is] to pay back $1 trillion debt that Liberal and Labor don’t want to address which in turn is putting pressure on interest rates to rise,” he said.
Mr Dollin would also like to see a 20 per cent Zonal Tax concession for people living 200km away from capital cities.
Penny Ackery
Penny Ackery was selected as the community Independant for Hume, and is endorsed by the Vote Angus Out and Voices of Hume groups.
Ms Ackerman is based in Goulburn and has spent 30 years in the electorate, working in both Goulburn and Picton High School as a teacher, most recently teaching children with special needs.
One of the topics she’s highlighting this election is improving the local economy “using more investment for roads, schools, hospitals and infrastructure.”
“I have also recently been an advocate for small businesses across the electorate, as they dealt with the challenges of the pandemic,” Ms Ackery said.
Another major issue she’s advocating for is an an anti-corruption commission.
“I am campaigning on fixing the political donation system in Australia, which the major parties regularly take advantage of,” Ms Ackery said.
She also mentioned that she’s not accepting donations from any external group.
Additionally, she is also vying for “better environmental protections.”
“Everyone wants a sustainable future,” Ms Ackery said.
“People want their environment protected and want to be consulted about environmental decisions.”
Greg Baines
Australian Labor Party candidate for Hume, Greg Baines, is also a high school teacher.
Mr Baines has lived in Gunning for several years, which he’s described as the “heart of Hume.”
He is also a drummer, part of the band San Trail.
Mr Baines has two teenagers and his Malaysian born wife has become a “proud Australian citizen.”
When asked what he’s passionate about advocating for this election, he said: “Seeing a change of government to one that looks after and cares for people.
“I have lived without medicare and a union, and have seen where this country could go if it doesn’t tackle environmental issues,” Mr Baines said.
One issue he’s campaigning for is better aged care.
“I want to see a government with heart, a government that cares. Fixing the aged care sector is at the centre of Labor‘s approach to care for all Australians,” Mr Baines said.
Another is a improving mobile service in regional communities.
“Black spots for mobile coverage still affect communities in Hume, and Labor has a plan to eliminate these,” Mr Baines said.
He would also like to see Labor’s ‘Powering Australia’ policy put into place.
“We need to tackle climate change and supercharge our economy,” Mr Baines said.
“Our policy will give the people of Hume access to community batteries, solar banks and fix energy transmission. This will help drive down electricity prices, reduce our carbon footprint, and create new jobs.”
Sheneli Dona
Hume’s youngest candidate is 24-year-old Independent, Sheneli Dona, who resides in Wollondilly.
The second generation immigrant Australian is a lawyer and from a young age, has been “advising government bodies, international governments and agencies on human rights and policy reform.”
When asked what she’s campaigning for, Ms Dona said “Above all, I stand for integrity and accountability” as well as “honest, open and transparent politics.”
Some of the things she’s advocating for include: “Greater investment into the aged care and health care sector as well as infrastructure in the region for greater opportunities; and a sustainable future without adversely impacting our citizens.”
Karen Stewart
Greens Candidate for Hume, Karen Stewart, grew up in Dubbo before moving to Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
She now lives in the township of Camden in “Sydney’s rural-urban fringe.”
Ms Stewart is a small business owner of an accounting firm, a mother of four, a community volunteer and is currently studying to be a Juris Doctor via distance education.
Through her involvement with local charities, she has “played a direct role in assisting local people experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, and those rebuilding from domestic violence situations.”
One of the top issues she is advocating for in the election is climate change.
“We cannot continue avoiding action on climate. The science is very clear and Australia has a global responsibility to act in accordance with this,” Ms Stewart said.
“Droughts, fires and my community’s flooding, all intensified by climate change, have impacted the lives of so many.”
Another is the importance of “ adequate oversight and accountability,” something that her career in accounting and auditing has highlighted for her.
“Scrutiny and independent oversight are vital to a robust democracy,” Ms Stewart said.
She also believes education should be prioritised and be free to everyone.
“Free education is an investment in our nation’s future,” Ms Stewart said.
“The government has a responsibility to provide high quality, comprehensive public education to all; with resources allocated to achieve equity in educational outcomes.”
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