Federal Election 2019: Werriwa candidates make final pitches to voters

With just days to go until the election, the candidates for Werriwa have given their final pitches to voters.

Werriwa Federal Labor MP Anne Stanley.

• Hughes, meet your candidates
• Biggest kids’ market heads to Liverpool

With just days to go until the election, the candidates for Werriwa have given their final pitches to voters.

The Leader did not receive responses from Christian Democratic Party candidate Narelle Storey and the Liberal Party’s Shayne Miller in time for deadline.

SIGNE WESTERBERG — GREENS

Former member for Werriwa, Gough Whitlam was an outspoken visionary who was passionate that our community would not be left behind. Simply voting Labor in Werriwa will not do what Gough intended, he would never have been just a number to support what the front bench wanted.

Werriwa deserves a representative who will fight for jobs for everyone. Our residents just want a fair deal and equal opportunities. It is essential we have a representative in Parliament who will talk about the things that matter to us, jobs for our kids and families, transport options that work for us, and not more toll roads and over promised airports. Dental and mental health must be added to Medicare and we need to put an end to poverty.

Greens candidate Signe Westerberg. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The Greens plan for transitioning into 100 per cent publicly owned 100 per cent renewable energy system is now possible because we have the technology, and we can do this for less than the cost of the annual grants and tax subsidies given to the failing fossil fuel industries. We have the people and the skills to provide so many extra jobs at the same time, and it will mean the whole economy benefits.

I’ve lived in Liverpool all my life, (since I was 5). My dad was a migrant who fell for an Aussie. Our multicultural community is exceptional, the unique diversity and unity within is to be valued.

I spend my time with the community listening, Greens policies are tailor made to address the needs of our community, and I am the person to make sure we are heard.

MICHAEL WHITE — INDEPENDENT

My key policies are:

• Gender recognition in marriage, rather than the bland definition of ‘two people’ currently in the Marriage Act

• Creating better urban environments by improving public transport and funding gardens for all schools

• Better national planning, such as fast rail instead of new airports.

Independent candidate Michael White.

• New approaches to encourage home ownership, rather than long term rent assistance

• A smooth transition to renewable energy, including storage and network upgrades that are needed for intermittent power sources. No new coal mines or coal fired power stations.

• End the export of our waste. Develop a sustainable waste processing and reuse plan for Australia, with the goal of zero waste to landfill.

• I also want to see a better attitude to accepting difference of opinion, and people’s freedom of conscience to be respected.

I encourage all Werriwa voters to think independently about the choices before them.

IGNATIOS TSIRIPLIS — UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY

Werriwa really needs a change.

Change is always a breath of fresh air.

Labor have held this seat since 1936, that’s 83 years of slow stagnant growth, congestion, poor infrastructure.

It’s not that labor have bad ideas it’s the poor execution and management that causes Werriwa to suffer.

We suffer more because it's a safe seat, Labor can throw their focus and resources on other electorates to push into a Liberal electorate, so the people of Werriwa are left behind and the constituents are not listened to.

For over 30 years we rallied against the airport and what happens? We get an airport and to rub further salt in our wounds, Labor want to build a pipeline of nasty jetfuel through our electorate to fuel aircraft, so we lose our drivers and the jobs that creates also.

Ignatios Tsiriplis from the United Australia Party. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The UAP will make real change to Australia, we will make interest tax deductible on home loans, we will make small to medium businesses pay tax annually at the end of the financial year which will inject 70 billion into the economy at once, we will stimulate regional growth by introducing zonal taxation, this will also help ease our infrastructure and congestion.

However, most importantly, my electorate, will have a REAL voice in parliament. We will get the healthcare, the mental care and schools that we deserve.

I will bring the best to Werriwa because we don’t deserve to be where Labor and Liberal put us, we should be first.

ANNE STANLEY — LABOR

I was elected as the member for Werriwa on 2 July 2016, before that I was a councillor at Liverpool City Council for 8 years. I went into politics because I wanted to stand up for the community I have always called home.

I’ve lived in our community all my life and with my husband and children. We all attended local public schools. I know the value of our public education system and I know what a difference Labor’s $25 million investment in Werriwa schools will make.

I’ve raised my three boys playing local sport. I know how much our sporting clubs and community organisations benefit from small grants. One of the highlights of being the Member for Werriwa is helping local organisations with much needed grants.

Whether it’s getting to work, school, or game day, I know what a difference getting around easily makes. Labor will build better roads, railway links to Western Sydney Airport, and more train station carparking, I am working towards the provision of better roads and a train line that links Western Sydney Airport to rest of South West Sydney. Transport links like this will allow workers to access the airport and with it jobs and opportunity. Families will also have more time to spend with each other rather than in the daily commute.

Sitting Werriwa MP Anne Stanley. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The cost of living is also hurting families. Everything seems to be going up except wages. Small changes in the price of petrol, groceries, power bills, and medical bills have a huge impact on family budgets. Labor has a plan to bring down taxes for people on low incomes, and drive down power prices sustainably with our Climate Change Action Plan.

My children and grandchildren were born in local hospitals. I remember what it was like before Medicare. My parents had to decide who was sick enough to go to the doctor. I distinctly remember discussions about how the family budget could be stretched to pay for it.

My family, like many others, has been impacted by cancer. I know Labor’s Medicare Cancer Plan will make a difference to families across Australia. Cancer shouldn’t cost you thousands of dollars. I feel very privileged to be part of the team working to change this.

A Shorten Labor Government will make a major difference for the residents of my electorate. I’m proud to be a member of a party that has a plan for a Fairer Australia.

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