Federal Election 2019 Bradfield candidate guide
With just weeks to go until Australians take to the polls for the 2019 Federal Election the North Shore Times has compiled your guide to who is running in Bradfield what they stand for.
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With just weeks to go until Australians take to the polls for the 2019 Federal Election the North Shore Times has compiled your guide to who is running and what they stand for, in the electorate of Bradfield, covering Sydney’s upper and lower north shore.
Candidates were asked to provide a short bio, a bit about their political experience and background, list their top three priorities, and how they will deliver on these issues in the electorate.
STEPHEN MOLLOY: SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
Born and raised in Sydney, went to Barker College in Waitara, studied at University of Sydney, and travelled all over Europe, America, and Asia.
He then found his real passion, running businesses and being a role model for young aspiring entrepreneurs.
He has received many leadership and management awards, diplomas and certificates in his career as well as running a few businesses.
He wrote the book How Apps are Changing the World with contributors from companies such as Disney and Saatchi & Saatchi New York.
He represented Australia for ‘Creative AllStars’ in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, speaking to the audience about innovation and business. He’s spoken at many Universities such as UNSW, UTS, ACS, Macquarie University and various marketing conferences.
He has consulted with large corporations and small start-ups and everyone in-between.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Recently ran in the NSW Election for the seat of Davidson.
He was nominated on his Leadership ability and his work for the community in Ku-ring-gai, Davidson and around Sydney.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Creating opportunities for all Australians such as secure jobs via a more diverse economy
2. Affordable housing for first home buyers and renters
3. Better planning to stop overdevelopment
HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THESE:
Sustainable Australia are running 33 candidates in the House of Representatives and Senate across Australia.
Our key aim in this election is to continue to build our brand awareness and reinforce the STOP overdevelopment message for next year’s state and local elections.
TONY ADAMS: THE GREENS
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
I’m a long-time resident of Bradfield, where my wife Angie and I raised our two children. I am currently a Sustainable Investment Researcher and am completing a Masters of Sustainability at the University of Sydney.
I have spent my career in financial markets managing investment portfolios for some of Australia’s biggest fund managers. I understand the financial implications of policy decisions. I am particularly critical of the short-termism evident in contemporary politics and am committed to securing a better outlook for our future by improving the transparency, accountability and long-term planning of our governments.
I am also passionate about supporting people with disabilities and am the National President of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association of Australia.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Nil — I believe there are too many career politicians in our parliament. Our government could be better served with members from a broader range of backgrounds and experiences than just those building a career in politics.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Climate change and environmental protection. The environment has changed and our economy must too — our economic, social and environmental security depends on it.
2. Restoring public trust in institutions like our parliament by improving transparency and accountability in political decisions.
3. Bringing our communities together, removing barriers to service access for minorities and the disabled and focusing on our shared humanity as the basis of our shared values.
HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THESE:
1. Climate change and environmental protection. The Greens have a range of policies in this area including transitioning away from coal, renewing our energy sector, supporting electric vehicles and investing in public transport. More locally we need to further act to protect the magnificent national parks that ring our electorate of Bradfield.
2. Restoring public trust in institutions. Banning political donations from Fossil fuel companies, implementing a federal anti-corruption commission, and protecting the ABC and SBS from political interference.
3. Bringing our communities together. Establish a charter or rights for all, make Australia accessible for all and fix the structural problems with the NDIS. Importantly we need to champion diversity in our communities.
PAUL FLETCHER: LIBERAL
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
Before entering parliament, Paul was Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, at Optus for eight years; established a consulting firm serving the communications sector; and in 2009 his book about broadband, Wired Brown Land was published by UNSW Press.
Earlier in his career Paul was Chief of Staff to the Minister for Communications in the Howard Government, Senator Richard Alston.
He has dual first class honours degrees in law and economics from The University of Sydney and an MBA from Columbia University in New York where he was a Fulbright Scholar.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Paul has been a member of the Liberal Party since he was 16 and was active in student politics at Sydney University. Paul entered parliament in December 2009 as the Member for Bradfield; was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications in September 2013; Minister for Major Projects, Territories, and Local Government in September 2015; Minister for Urban Infrastructure in July 2016; Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities in December 2017, and was appointed to his present role as Minister for Families and Social Services in August 2018.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Supporting our outstanding government, Catholic and independent schools in Bradfield — recognising that Bradfield is known for its great schools and they are a significant reason why many families choose to live in our area.
2. Seeing NorthConnex delivered and operational — to deliver a freeway standard tunnel from the M1 at Wahroonga to the M2 at Pennant Hills, allowing motorists to save 15 minutes and avoid 21 sets of traffic lights, and in turn reducing congestion and traffic levels on Pennant Hills Road and the Pacific Highway, and improving community amenity for those living near those roads.
3. Supporting the many community organisations in Bradfield which play such an important role in the richness of our community life.
HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THESE:
1. Our Liberal National Government is providing record Commonwealth funding for government, Catholic and independent schools in Bradfield and across the nation — in fact our guaranteed funding commitment invests an additional $37 billion in schools over the next decade (to 2029).
2. NorthConnex is being delivered with Commonwealth funding of $412 million (as well as state government and private sector funding); in my previous portfolio of Urban Infrastructure and Cities I was very pleased to have Commonwealth oversight of this project at a critical stage of its development.
3. Under programs like Stronger Communities I have secured funding for many of our local churches, service clubs, youth groups and others, totalling more than $500,000 over the past three years; and I will continue to fight for funding for local community organisations should I be re-elected. As Minister for Families and Social Services I have also been pleased to announce national programs like our $60 million of grant funding for additional emergency accommodation for women fleeing domestic violence, and I hope to see local organisations like Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Centre applying for funding under this program.
MARCUS VERSACE: UNITED AUSTRALIA
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
Previously worked in Legal industry for over 15 years with Lawyers, BAR and Corporations- Now Export Account Manager for Global corporation looking after their export customers.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Nil — first time. But was so disappointed with current politicians and political parties, I decided to step up and seek endorsement of candidacy for seat of Bradfield with United Australia Party
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Abolition of Provisional Tax
2. Tax deduction for interests on Home Loans
3. Increase in aged pension by $150 per week to make a more liveable income
All of these will benefit the people of Bradfield the local and national economy.
HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THESE:
Present these to the people as a policy to be endorse by the electorate.
CHRIS HAVILAND: LABOR
A BIT ABOUT YOU:
Chris returned home to Asquith on Sydney’s upper north-shore, where he was raised and educated. A father-of-three and grandfather to three more, he is a small-business owner, tutoring secondary students in mathematics.
YOUR POLITICAL BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Chris joined the ALP in 1979. He moved to south western Sydney to raise his family.
He was a Campbelltown Councillor from 1987, and was elected to the House of Representatives in the seat of Macarthur in 1993.
Chris returned to Asquith to care for his ageing parents. He stood for Bradfield in 2013.
Chris was Bradfield’s delegate to Labor’s National Conference in 2015 and 2018.
He is also a member of the NSW Labor Administrative Committee.
TOP THREE PRIORITIES/ISSUES IN YOUR ELECTORATE:
1. Climate change: Bradfield residents understand that we need to take strong action on climate change. Only Labor offers a comprehensive plan to address climate change and protect our natural environment.
2. Saving our ABC: People in Bradfield love their ABC. The Liberal Government has continued to undermine the ABC with its funding cuts and ideological attacks on its independence. Last June, the Liberal Party’s Federal Council voted to privatise the ABC. Labor will not allow this, and will restore the funding necessary to maintain the ABC as an independent, quality public broadcaster.
3. A fair go for all: Bradfield may have voted Liberal in the past, but the current Government is Liberal in name only. It is a dysfunctional, divided, rabble of reactionary, hard right ideologues, who seem determined to destroy our egalitarian tradition.
HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THESE:
Chris will stand for diversity, fairness and equality, and against all forms of discrimination. He stands for a fair go for all Australians, not just the top end of town.
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