Federal Election 2019: Robertson election candidates

With 16 days until the federal election, meet the people behind the politics running for the seat of Robertson.

Meet the people behind the politics. Picture: Sue Graham

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A MUFFIN business owner, former teacher, retired social worker and financial services executive are some of the candidates running for the seat of Robertson.

With the ballot draw held last week, Robertson has eight confirmed candidates vying for the seat, held on a margin of 3.1 per cent by MP Lucy Wicks.

Labor’s Anne Charlton is contesting the seat for the second time. The former support worker for Coast Shelter’s youth program has stepped aside to focus on campaigning.

“I just continue to see the unfairness in the community that needs to change,” she said.

Ms Wicks, a local lifesaver who is learning to surf, joined the Liberal Party in her mid 20s and was keen to make a difference in her local community.

Anne Charlton, ALP

Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks. Picture: Jane Dempster

The mother of two said it had been an “honour and a privilege to have served as the Federal Member for Robertson since 2013”.

The Greens candidate Cath Connor, a retired social worker, has been on the coast for 27 years, and wanted to get “off the sidelines”.

“The inaction of the major parties is frightening and I believe that the need to forge a new path is urgent,” she said.

Independent candidate “Digital” Dave Abrahams, is a computer programmer and author who insists “ the best way to act local is to have a good, comprehensive, and integrated plan to act upon”.

Dave Abrahams, Independent

Cath Connor, The Greens

The Killcare lifesaver says the “best way to act local is to have a good, comprehensive, and integrated plan to act upon”.

Ettalong’s Judy Singer, a stay at home mother of two, represents Sustainable Australia.

Mrs Singer, a self-confessed “tragic Marvel fan” said she chose to contest the federal seat “because I think people are generally fed up with the usual self-serving politicians they see on the ballot paper”.

“I think it is important for the voters of Robertson to have a chance at this election to vote for a sensible political party with common sense policies,” she said.

Judy Singer, Sustainable Australia Party. Picture: Sue Graham

Robert Marks, United Australia Party. Picture: Sue Graham

Meanwhile United Australia Party candidate Robert Marks is no stranger to politics, having contested for the seat of Bennelong in 2013.

Mr Marks works in financial services and is keen to address issues such as dementia services and domestic violence.

His son Andrew is the youngest federal election candidate, also running for Bennelong.

Sean Young, for the Animal Justice Party, runs a business called The Muffin Mob and is passionate about plant-based food.

“There is a need for laws and processes that recognise animals’ needs, capabilities and interests, whether they are domestic, farmed or wild,” he said.

Fiona Stucken will stand for the Christian Democrat Party but did not respond.

Sean Young, the Animal Justice Party