Bega candidates discuss housing and why they’re running
NSW Bega seat candidates are fighting for your vote, but who will win? Find out why each candidate is running and what they plan to do for the electorate if they win.
The South Coast News
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The NSW state election is just around the corner, with candidates from major and minor parties giving their last ditch efforts to convince people to give them their vote.
Voters from the Bega state electorate (which includes towns from Eden to Batemans Bay) will have their voice on who will be their representative in state parliament when voting begins on Monday.
Here are what the Bega candidates have to say on why they are running and what they will do to solve issues like the housing crisis.
Debra Abbott: Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate for Bega, Debra Abbott, did not answer the questions asked by The South Coast News.
Ms Abbott is a first time candidate.
Greg White: Legalise Cannabis Party
Mr White is a first time candidate running as the Legalise Cannabis Party candidate for Bega.
Why are you running?
“I started out as a volunteer for the Legalise Cannabis NSW Party & discovered we needed more candidates across the board. The issues around legalising cannabis are too important to not take a leap of faith and so I nominated,” Mr White said.
“Even though I don't expect to win this election, I aim to give the good people of the Bega electorate the opportunity to express their support for legalising cannabis from the privacy of the ballot box.”
How long have you lived in the electorate/area?
“I live in the adjoining Monaro electorate,” Mr White said.
“However, I travel extensively throughout the district with my work & for leisure – from Long Beach in the north to Eden in the south, from Bemboka in the west to Tathra in the east and everywhere in between.
“I have spoken with, I reckon, hundreds of residents throughout the region over the past couple of years. Some still living in caravans & lean-tos, and still struggling to find their feet after the fires.”
What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?
“Legalising cannabis could be the key to this electorate‘s economic future,” he said.
“I've seen the cotton industry devastate vast amounts of land, decimating every living thing with chain clearing. Yet, with cannabis, we can grow it right here, right now. We’ve got the land and we’ve got the perfect climate. It doesn’t require vast clearing. It requires very little pesticide. It literally grows like a weed and can grow up mountain sides.
“How would legalising cannabis help resolve the housing issue directly? Directly via the boom predicted to come quickly following legalisation, specifically farming, manufacturing, cuisine, tourism, jobs, an all-round economic winner, leads to growth and with that, a housing boom.”
What is your final pitch to voters?
“This ONE policy, to legalise cannabis, reaches into many areas of life for all of us. In a nutshell, we need the governments to stop delaying,” he said.
“Stop making criminals of people who want to grow & use their own natural medicines. It's time”
Cathy Griff: Greens
The Greens candidate for Bega, Ms Griff, did not answer the questions asked by The South Coast News.
Ms Griff is a Moruya Heads resident and first time candidate.
Karin Geiselhart: Sustainable Australia
The Sustainable Australia candidate for Bega, Ms Geiselhart, did not answer the questions asked by The South Coast News.
Ms Geiselhart ran for Bega in the 2022 by-election, finishing with 1,011 votes.
Jeffrey Hawkins: Independent
Mr Hawkins ran for Bega in the 2022 by-election, finishing with 1,379 votes.
He is now running again for the same seat as an independent.
Why are you running?
“As a homeschooling parent, my obligation is to ensure the integrity of information available and have applied this same ethic in choosing to offer myself as a people‘s representative,” Mr Hawkins said.
How long have you lived in the electorate/area?
“I’m a single dad who has called the Bega Valley home for the last six years,” he said.
What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?
“Regardless of the upcoming election, the South Coast housing crisis is a first-hand experience I would prefer not to repeat,” he said.
“Since the by-election last year, where statistics were made available to candidates, I have accepted the opportunity to collaborate with an amazing group of like-minded, motivated volunteers, from across the nation, to address this issue, both locally and elsewhere.
“Without government assistance, or interference, affordable housing (for minimum 500 families) in eco-communities are expected to be publicly announced later this year, once families in critical need have been offered homes.
“These communities are planned, and will be built to, net-zero environmental impact guidelines, with supporting infrastructure.”
What is your final pitch to voters?
“On March 25, you will hold the power to change tens of thousands of lives,” he said.
Russell Fitzpatrick: Liberal Party
Mr Fitzpatrick is currently the Bega Valley Shire Mayor.
He is running for Bega to win the seat back from the Liberals, after he swung to Labor in the 2022 by-election.
Why are you running?
“I am passionate about supporting our community and have served on the board of Southern NSW Health, and with Pambula and Community Bank, and I am a proud life member of Merimbula Pambula Junior Rugby League,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“This passion for our community inspired me to serve as a Bega Councillor, and now as Mayor, and I have worked to deliver local projects to benefit our community, like the Merimbula Basketball Club facility, Merimbula Airport and Port of Eden developments and the Bega Regional Sports Facility that will be able to host state and regional soccer, league and cricket competitions.”
How long have you lived in the electorate/area?
“For me, our region has always been home,” he said.
“I was born in Pambula Hospital and attended school at Pambula Primary and Eden High.
“With generations of my family tied to Bega, I spent my life advocating for our region.”
What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?
“Housing is a challenge and the government has delivered improvements to social housing and a First Home Buyers Choice initiative,” he said.
“Also, as Bega Valley Shire Mayor I introduced an affordable housing strategy and set up an affordable housing panel.”
What is your final pitch to voters?
“I am known as someone who gets things done for our communities on the south coast and as part of Dominic Perrottet’s Liberal Team, I will use his experience to fight for our community to deliver the local services, roads and infrastructure our region needs,” he said.
Michael Holland: Australian Labor Party
Dr Holland is the incumbent Bega state member, having won the seat in the 2022 by-election on 24,837 votes, following Andrew Constance’s resignation.
Why are you running?
“I resigned as a local rural obstetrician and gynaecologist having seen the state of the health system become the worst in my experience,” Dr Holland said.
“The people of the Bega electorate are experiencing delays in hospital services and local health workers are under-resourced, under-supported and overworked.
“I have advocated on their behalf and can work with a NSW Minn’s Labor government to improve health services on their behalf.
“Both physical and mental health are dependent on secure housing, good education, employment opportunities, and a protected environment.
“I am running to improve the lives of the people of the Bega electorate by reversing the decline of these conditions and services over the past 12 years.”
How long have you lived in the electorate/area?
“I have lived in the eurobodalla for twenty years,” he said.
“I have been a doctor for 42 years and conducted a solo specialist practice in moruya for the past 20 years.”
What are you going to do about the housing crisis along the south coast?
“I have recently committed $368,000 for housing solutions for the homeless in Moruya, elderly single women in Bermagui, and the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“This will be used for emergency accommodation, long term accommodation, and shelter for drug & alcohol rehabilitation on country.
“NSW Labor has committed to a $30 million build to rent scheme on the south coast of NSW.
“Landcom will build properties on surplus government land and the housing developed will be 30 per cent social and affordable housing.
“Renters will be protected from unfair evictions and secret rent-bidding and a portable bond scheme will be introduced.
“The stamp duty tax burden will be removed or reduced for 95 per cent of first home buyers over the next three years and no stamp duty and no perpetual new land tax.”
What is your final pitch to voters?
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