Cook candidates’ policies and what they stand for in 2022 federal election
The election is only days away on May 21 and here is a comprehensive list of the Cook candidates. Find out who they are, their promises and policies for the electorate and their last ditch pitch to voters.
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The federal election will be held on Saturday, May 21 where Australia will decide on who should lead the country.
Cook residents will flock to polling booths to cast their vote for the candidate they think is best to represent their views in parliament.
Campaigns are in the final stretch and six politically diverse candidates are vying for the Hughes seat currently held by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Since the last election in 2019 the country has dealt with the devastating impacts of Covid, bushfires and floods.
Suburbs in Cook include Monterey, Beverley Park, Blakehurst, Burraneer, Caringbah, Carss Park, Cronulla, Greenhills Beach, Gymea, Gymea Bay, Kyle Bay, Kurnell, Lilli Pilli, Miranda, Sandringham, Sans Souci, Sylvania, Sylvania Waters, Taren Point and Yowie Bay.
The candidates putting up their hands to represent the people of Cook have revealed their top priorities should they get elected.
Find out who they are, their promises and policies for the electorate and their last ditch pitch to voters.
Scott Morrison, Liberal (Incumbent)
Scott Morrison was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia on 24 August 2018. The Liberal Party website says, throughout his career in government and in the private sector, Scott Morrison has established a reputation as someone who listens to people and solves difficult policy problems.
He is from the Sutherland Shire in Sydney’s south. He has represented his local community in parliament for over 11 years. Mr Morrison has been married to Jenny for 29 years and they have two young daughters.
Scott is a ‘netball dad’, a member of his local church, number one ticket holder of his beloved NRL Cronulla Sutherland Sharks and a big Tina Arena fan.
His Liberal Government’s plan to build a strong future includes: cost of living relief now; a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs; record investments in essential services and stronger defence and national security.
The Prime Minister says the achievement he is most proud of is the more than 100,000 jobs that were created for young people during 2017-18. This is the best result on record.
Simon Earle, Labor
Simon Earle moved to the electorate 30 years ago after finishing his education degree and beginning a career as a primary school teacher.
“I had spent much time in my youth surfing the beaches of Cronulla, going to Nippers and volunteering as a surf lifesaver, so I moved to the place I loved,” he said.
Mr Earle said constituents told him the local member had done little for the area and felt he had let the country down.
“I want to represent my community as the next MP because I believe we can do better, locally and as a nation,” he said.
“I know I can deliver, and a Labor government will strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see the doctor; creating secure local jobs by investing in fee-free TAFE and more university places and make jobs more secure with better pay and conditions and making childcare cheaper so that it’s easier for working families to get ahead. A Labor government will make more things here in Australia by working with business to invest in manufacturing and renewables to create more Australian jobs.”
Mr Earle said he was a local as were four generations of his family. His kids were born in the area, and he and his wife are raising them there.
“We live, learn, work, and play here. I have proven I care for my community by volunteering for Marine Rescue, patrolling local beaches and leading a Nippers squad for 10 years, and campaigning for equality and prevention of violence against women,” he said
“My promise is to engage with the whole community. I will listen and I will represent the electorate with honesty, integrity, and respect. This is what we deserve.”
Gaye Cameron, One Nation
Gaye Cameron is married, has children and lives in Sylvania. She is a social worker and mental health counsellor in a private practice in Gymea.
“I have worked and lived in the St George and Sutherland Shire since 1988,” she said. “I have held high level roles in all tiers of government, private enterprise, education and the non-for-profit sector, and volunteered with the SES for 14 years. I am highly educated including an MBA and other post graduate qualifications.
“I would be honoured to serve the community of Cook and respond to the people and their needs, improving federal services, including health, education, aged care, NDIS and much more including mitigation strategies for our environmental concerns.”
Mrs Cameron said she wanted to focus on the community’s needs, including services for people living with disability, aged care sector, community services transport, assisting charities around social needs including homelessness and people struggling with the cost of living.
“Other policies I want to focus on our improving services and facilities for mental health. Support our children in education. Also providing funding for infrastructure upgrades to roads and rail, and providing mitigation strategies to coastal erosion along our beaches, to name a few,” she said.
“The question has to be asked, what has Scott Morrison really done for the electorate? I want to be the Member for the People. The people elect the member to serve the people. I just don’t want to be a voice, but I will take the fight to Canberra to get funding for services and assets for our community.”
Catherine Dyson, The Greens
Ms Dyson’s profile on the Greens website says she has had a connection to Cook since she was born and has lived and worked here all her adult life.
“As someone who has worked as a registered nurse, a registered midwife and is A TAFE trained horticulturist I believe in good planning, nurturing and using acknowledged science to achieve the best chance for life to thrive into the future. We embrace the new technologies that aid conception and healthy birth,” she states. “In other aspects of life where we have recognised a threat we have acted. Eg we no longer use lead petrol. We have a climate change emergency threatening humanity in food, quality of life, global and individual security. Science has given us the answers. We must act now.
“I want every baby born to have a healthy diverse environment with equitable opportunities of good education, good health care, security of housing and the hope to dream and plan. I feel social inequities and the alienating damaging behaviours that can result can be addressed with Australian Greens policies. We have the resources and skills to lead the world as a prosperous, generous nation.
“The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is currently the representative for Cook. I would like to send a strong vote and hence voice to politicians and policy makers of all parties that Greens policies do appeal to voters.”
Jacqueline Guinane, United Australia Party
The UAP website says Jacqueline Guinane was born and raised in Caringbah and spent four years living in Melbourne, before returning to Caringbah in 2020 where she lives with her two rescue dogs.
An experienced business professional, Jacqueline’s career has been quite varied across wholesale, retail, operations and franchising, within medical aesthetics, health, beauty and home renovation.
Currently, Jacqueline works at Kitchen Group, initially joining the business to create strategic partnerships on a local, state and national level. Jacqueline recently moved into retail operations within the same business.
Jacqueline is passionate about helping business owners reach their full potential, scaling their business, leading their teams and creating effective strategies to grow in challenging times.
An outdoors enthusiast, Jacqueline enjoys gardening and being in nature. She spent 10 years volunteering with NSW Waterski (disabled division) supporting local team members.
Jacqueline currently volunteers with The Parallel Movement, a new organisation to connect and support people affected by lockdowns, job losses and mandatory vaccinations. She is a candidate with United Australia Party because she feels passionate about shaping a better future for Australia.
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