Meet the Monaro candidates for the state election
Meet the candidates vying for your vote on March 25 in the seat of Monaro.
Canberra Star
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In less than a week Monaro residents from Cooma to Queanbeyan will flock to the polls to cast their vote in the NSW State election.
With seven candidates putting their hat in the ring for this years election being informed is more important than ever.
The seat is currently held by Nichole Overall who won the seat in 2022 following a by-election triggered by the retirement of John Barilaro.
We asked the candidates what their priorities for the region are. Here’s what they had to say.
Steve Whan — Labor
Steve Whan has lived in Queanbeyan with his wife Cherie for 26 years and was the Labor member for Monaro between 2011 and 2015.
He said if elected he would bring “experience and energy for the Monaro”.
“Too many of our local students have had classes in playgrounds, instead of with their teachers and too many of our health services are hamstrung by staffing shortages,” he said
“Meanwhile we have a Government that focuses on short-term politics.
“ I want to focus on building our communities for long term success, skilled workforces, good health and high living standards.
“It starts with investing in people.”
In regards to the key topics of education and infrastructure Mr Whan said if in government, Labor would build a new public high schools in Googong and Bungendore, and expand Jerrabomberra high school
“Unlike the Nationals we recognise that every existing school in Monaro, along with the new ones, deserves a Government that focuses on making sure there is a teacher in every class.”
He said labour would “more than double” emergency road funding to the Queanbeyan Palerang regional council and the Snowy Monaro Council to address weather damage.
“Among other road projects, we will provide $10m to fix the Ellerton Drive/Yass Road roundabout.”
Andrew Thaler — independent
Andrew Thaler is running as an independent and says he is “frustrated by the lack of vision and genuine inclusion in decision making by the Major parties’.
Mr Thaler lives in Nimmitabel with his wife Alisa and their five children, and runs a solar farm and scrap metal processing business on his property.
Mr Thaler has described previous terms under the nationals as “atrocious and embarrassing” He said underfunded election promises were “ destroying local council budgets leading to rate-rises that many people simply cannot afford”.
“I want to preserve the amenity and liability of our electorate,” he said.
When asked about the priorities of education and infrastructure Mr Thaler said he decided to homeschool his children stating he “rejects the left-leaning bias of preaching climate doom”.
“I see the benefit of an apolitical education system, free from left or right bias, that concerns itself with the core needs of reading, writing, arithmetic and critical thinking,” he said.
“I do not believe simply paying some teachers more money will improve education.
“So too with infrastructure funding, we must build things that are fit for purpose, properly costed and that our communities actually need.”
Mr Thaler said with infrastructure he would prefer to sort out the “wants” from the “needs” and “ focus on the needs first”.
Christopher Pryor — Shooters Fishers and Farmers
Christopher Pryor was contacted for comment but did not respond.
James Holgate — Sustainable Australia Party
Sustainable Australia Party candidate James Holgate was born and raised in Cooma and has lived and worked in Queanbeyan for 12 years.
If elected Mr Holgate says he would bring “ broad lived experience and unique insight to help protect our environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption”.
He said as a centrist party the SAP would “work constructively and objectively with all political and other interested parties to deliver long term solutions”.
Mr Holgate said he loved the “traditional and diverse cultural richness unique to this region” and said he wants to “ensure we fulfil our primary moral responsibility to pass on an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable Australia to future generations”.
In regards to education and infrastructure Mr Holgate said “we need to provide a world class education system that gives all Australians the skills to secure jobs and flourish in society”.
“This includes better investment science and technology research and linking education outcomes to secure job opportunities,” he said.
Mr Holgate said if elected he would “achieve environmentally sustainable infrastructure planning” which would delivered “before increasing urban expansion”.
“This requires a planning system that will stop overdevelopment and sprawl, while properly protecting our built heritage, urban amenity and habitats of all threatened, vulnerable and endangered native species,” he said.
He said the SAP was “an independent community movement with a science and evidence-based policy platform.
“The SAP has sustainable solutions to protect our environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption,” he said.
“ I will work for you, not the vested interests of the donors funding the major parties.”
Jenny Goldie — The Greens
Greens candidate Jennifer Goldie has lived in the Monaro region for 28 years, first in Michelego before moving to Cooma.
She said she was running because she is “committed Greens climate and environmental policies”.
“I believe climate change is an existential threat and has to be top and centre of all issues,” she said.
“ Only the Greens have policies that match the science.
“We have to stop logging native forests and thereby preserve the habitats of other species, not least the koala.”
When asked about her views on education in the region, she said “ All children have a right to quality education”.
“ There must be adequate funding of all government schools which have an obligation to teach all students, including those for whom English is a second language or are disadvantaged educationally in other respects,” she said
In regards to infrastructure in the region, she said infrastructure projects need to keep up with population growth.
“(They should) ideally be in place before people arrive so everyone has access to housing, good medical care, schools, recreational space, and public transport in towns,” she said.
“Housing, health, education, energy, roads and recreational facilities are all important but to achieve a reasonable quality of life for everyone, we first must have a liveable planet.”
Josephine Tanson — Legalise Cannabis Party
Josie was born and bred in Queanbeyan and says she’s running because she is “very passionate about legalising cannabis”.
“I have seen the good it can do for people including myself,” she said.
“The lack of education and awareness on medical cannabis is lacking and pushed under the rug.
“That’s why I use my Facebook to educate people.”
When asked about her views on education and infrastructure in the region, she said they were both a “high priority”.
“Hemp can be used for plastics, fuel, paper, building materials (that are) fire resistant, (hemp) also can be used for clothing and so many more uses to help our future,” she said.
“As a mum I understand when a community is lacking it affects in so many other areas.
Ms Tanson said she wanted to “make change”.
“I love to help people and this will help in so many ways from health care to environmental to economic,” she said.
“And the laws are outdated – we need to put police and courts to better use.
“Being a mum involved in the everyday involvement I understand what we need to get through life.”
Nichole Overall — The Nationals
Incumbent nationals MP Nichole Overall has lived in the seat of Monaro for over 35 years and was elected to her role last year.
Mrs Overall said her priorities included strengthening the economy, cost of living and promoting tourism in the region to create new opportunities.
“I have a proven track record both as local Member and my long history as part of our community, from volunteering with local organisations to running small businesses and raising a family,” she said.
“Monaro deserves an effective and determined member who will go above and beyond for what is right – even if that means crossing the floor.
“I am not afraid to stand up for our community and I can assure voters I will continue to fight each and every day to represent them and deliver for them.”
When asked about her plans for education and infrastructure in Monaro she said the Nationals had “built a strong foundation” in the region.
“In 2023 we’ve opened three brand new schools for local students, meaning they can stay in their own communities,” she said.
“We’re easing the administrative burden on teachers with additional admin roles in schools, providing accommodation and more incentives to health care workers and teachers in the bush.
“My plan for education and infrastructure in Monaro is to use the solid foundation we already have and continue with a structured, strategic plan ensuring we continue to ensure the best future for all of us who call Monaro home.”
Mrs Overall said Monaro “deserves a representative who is passionate and a fighter, a determined and effective local Member who stands up for our community’s interests, not the interests of Sydney”.
“I want to be here to continue working with you because together we can realise the very best vision for the future of Monaro, this place we love and call home.”
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