Meet the eastern suburbs candidates running in the NSW state election
Meet the eastern suburbs candidates hoping to ride a wave to Macquarie St in this month’s state election.
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The battle for electorates in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is fierce and competitive, with a number of candidates hopeful of upsetting the status quo.
Meet the political hopefuls looking to win your vote.
VAUCLUSE
The candidates running for the seat of Vaucluse have named cost of living, overdevelopment, the environment and integrity in politics as the pressing issues on voters’ minds as they hit the pavement in the eastern suburbs.
Meet the candidates running in the seat of Vaucluse.
Kellie Sloane – NSW Liberal Party
NSW Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane said her “big picture” approach to local issues was why she’s proud to tout the Perrottet government’s strong economic record.
Cost of living pressures are an increasing concern for Vaucluse constituents as fears of an impending global recession grow and Australia’s slow wage growth bumps up against interest rate rises and skyrocketing grocery costs.
“I know as I go around the electorate, what people are telling me they’re concerned about is household budgets,” she said. “People are telling me stability is important.
“Strong economic policy is something that I can be passionate about, because I know that it makes a difference to people‘s everyday lives.”
Ms Sloane said the state government had been able to invest locally, including funnelling $1.5b into local hospitals and awarding $86m to fix local sewage outfalls, thanks to the NSW Liberals.
Preserving the pristine natural beauty of Vaucluse was another top priority. The candidate pointed to the recent heritage listing for South Head as an example of her party’s commitment to looking after our local harbour, national parkland and green spaces.
Prior to winning a tight preselection race, Ms Sloane was the CEO of Life Education, one of Australia’s largest children’s health NGOs.
“It feels like a natural progression of the work I‘ve been doing over the last eight years,” she said.
Margaret Merton – NSW Labor Party
Labor candidate Margaret Merton said she had been involved in fighting inappropriate developments in her home suburb of Bondi “for the past 25 years”.
“What’s happening at the moment is these apartment blocks are being sold to be bought by a handful of developers, and they’ve been turned into multimillion-dollar luxury apartments,” she said.
The Labor candidate fears these new developments are financially out of reach for essential workers such as teachers, nurses and cleaners struggling with the housing crisis.
Ms Merton said Vaucluse, where 43 per cent of residents are renters, stood to benefit from Labor’s policies to ban secret rent bidding, introduce a portable bond scheme that will allow renters to bring their bond with them, and get rid of bans on pets in rental housing.
“Research from around the world has proven if you can bring in affordable and mixed housing, all of the community benefits. Everyone is lifted up as a result,” Ms Merton said.
Reversing bus privatisation was another key issue for Labor.
“When I’m campaigning, I hear about it all the time; elderly residents who can no longer get a bus easily up to Bondi Junction, or a bus out to the inner west to see family members,” Ms Merton said.
The political hopeful said other areas of policy a Labor government would address were investigating opportunities for a new public high school, and investing $1b in a public-private partnership to accelerate investment in renewable energy assets.
“I think after 12 years of a Liberal government it‘s really time for change.”
“There’s a lot of issues around integrity that are concerning, and that I think people should think very seriously about when they voted on March 25.”
Karen Freyer – Community independent
Vaucluse independent Karen Freyer said overdevelopment was the top concern raised when she spoke to residents.
“It’s impossible to drive down New South Head Rd and Old South Head Rd … our high schools are full, our recreation spaces are busy,” she said.
“Right now what happens is the developers increase the density, they make their money – and then it’s up to the community to deal with the ramifications,” she said.
Ms Freyer said as the two major parties wrestled with the thorny question of the state’s housing targets, a community-focused independent would have the ability to advocate for residents free of special interests.
She said the removal of planning powers from local councils to the NSW planning panel had left people feeling unheard and powerless.
“The general frustration I think everyone feels right now is that we have zero say when it comes to the type of development that goes on in our community,” she said.
The community independent claimed local families had been let down on higher education.
“For over 10 years, the community has been asking for a second public high school,” Ms Freyer said.
“Private school fees are just becoming incredibly expensive,” she said, however local families lacked access to school choice that would enable them to give their children a quality public education.
“I think that parents in the east deserve more choice,” she said. “I‘ve never been a politician and I’m sick of living in a safe Liberal seat that gets taken for granted.”
Dominic WY Kanak – Greens
Greens candidate Dominic WY Kanak has served as a Greens representative on Waverley Council since 1999, where he has advocated for the Bondi community at the grassroots.
A proud Torres Torres Strait Islander man and grandfather to a Erub-Epi Murri-Yorta Yorta family, Mr Kanak said he would advocate for high-quality community services and against the privatisation of public assets.
“I want to see our community shaped by the people who live in it,” Mr Kanak said.
Mr Kanak said he was passionate about national issues of equality as the country heads toward a referendum on the Voice to parliament.
“I will work hard to end the disadvantage of First Nations people and to advance the Truth telling and Treaty process,” Mr Kanak said.
He said the people he spoke to while campaigning wanted more accountability around net zero targets.
“People are telling me that they want stronger action on climate to ensure a liveable future for their kids and future generations, and no more expansion of coal and gas mining, including off our coastline,” Mr Kanak said.
“The issue of corruption, pork-barrelling is strong too, with people wanting action against pokies and money laundering, and the influence of vested interests on government decision making.”
COOGEE
Coogee is a key seat for this upcoming election with incumbent MP Marjorie O’Neill holding the seat by a 2.3 per cent margin.
Having won the seat back for Labor in the last election, Ms O’Neill will be looking to keep Coogee red, as Labor looks to regain power of the state of NSW.
The seat is hotly contested with Kylie von Muenster the Liberal candidate. She holds a doctorate in speech pathology and will be looking to tip the voting in her favour.
The other candidates include Randwick councillor Rafaela Pandolfini as well as Lluisa Murray from the Sustainable Australia Party, Alicia Mosquera from the Informed Medical Options Party and Simon Garrod of the Animal Justice Party.
MARJORIE O’NEILL – LABOR
Why are you running?
Being your Member for Coogee is incredibly rewarding, I love getting up and advocating and fighting for a community that is in my DNA. I originally got involved in politics because I was deeply unhappy with what was happening in our area. Over the last four years we have seen further degradation of our public services in particular transport, health care and education as well as inaction on climate change and environmental protections. I’m running again because I love our community and I want to restore and rebuild our public services as well as see stronger action on climate change and protection of our environment.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
With the exception of some stints overseas to the US and UK, I have lived in the electorate my entire life. I am the fifth generation of my family (on my mum's side) to be lucky enough to live in the east.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
I want to take our electorate off the grid and demonstrate how a community can be net zero. I want to restore key bus transport routes that have been taken away by this government. I’m passionate about education and want to ensure that every child has access to first class education and that our public schools are fully funded under the Gonski recommendations and that there is choice when it comes to accessing public high schools in our area. I want to ensure that our essential workers, nurses allied health workers, teachers, cops can live and work in this area.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
Cost of living is the biggest overarching issue that is affecting the majority of people in our area. This is why we need to ensure that people have accessible transport so they don’t have to rely on a car and the rising cost of fuel and tolls. It’s why we need to rebuild our clean energy as state owned and why we cannot privatise Sydney water.
Your final pitch to voters?
We are really lucky to live in a safe country where it is part of our requirements as citizens to participate in democracy and have the ability to shape our communities and the direction of our state and country. Get out and vote, this election is far too important.
KYLIE VON MUENSTER – LIBERAL
Why are you running?
I have always sought impactful and purposeful work where I can connect with people and make a positive difference. Serving in parliament brings together my desire to help others, problem solve and be involved in the community. It wasn’t just one thing that led me to putting my hand up. I enjoyed working with the community and constituents in a community liaison position and have been involved in the community particularly through surf lifesaving. I have been studying city planning at UNSW and realised the impact of government and the potential to influence liveability. When I nominated, I was working for UNICEF Australia. Listening to people such as Sam Mort who worked in Afghanistan, reiterated how fortunate we are in Sydney and Australia, but also it made me think that we can’t be complacent and decisions by governments can monumentally impact people’s lives.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I love my home and the community of Coogee. I first moved to the eastern suburbs of Sydney in 1992 from Cottesloe, Western Australia which has a very similar vibe to where I am raising my children in Bronte. After finishing my first degree in speech pathology, I moved to live and work at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital for my first job. I returned to the east in 1998, rented an apartment on Bronte Rd and met my now husband, Stephen. We bought our current family home in Bronte in 2009.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
I plan to continue listening to the constituents and work to address issues they raise.
Preserving our beautiful natural environment is something that locals have told me they care about, as do I, and I will continue the great work of the NSW Liberals in protecting our green spaces and marine environment. I am concerned about Labor’s plans to increase urban density and plans for more development in the area as we are already close to capacity and Labor’s plan will negatively impact our ease of living.
I want to see a networked transport system that makes it easy for people to get to where they need to go, and includes active transport options for short distances.
There is potential for the central business areas in Bondi Junction and Randwick to improve their appeal and vibrancy and become more than just 9am–5pm business and transit areas. I would love to see these areas with alfresco dining and family-friendly activations that draw people in to the area after 6pm.
I want to see the Perrottet governments plans for education and health infrastructure delivered, such as an upgrade to Clovelly Public School, a coeducational high school option for families and a $95m upgrade to the Royal Hospital for Women.
I will also fight for Bronte Surf Life Saving Club to get funding to realise the much-needed new community clubhouse as well as other community sporting facilities that are in need of upgrading.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
There are localised issues across the electorate however across the electorate people are concerned about cost of living pressures. That’s why the 70 cost of living measures on the Service NSW website are so crucial. The voucher system includes Back To School, Active Kids, Creative Kids, Energy Bill Relief and First Lap, there is also the Toll Relief which can put up to $750 back in your hip pocket.
Final Pitch?
Many people have told me they are happy with how the state has been run under the Perrottet Liberal Government. While this is my first time running for public office, I have years of experience in health, small business, education and as a working mum that I will draw upon to make a positive contribution to our community and to keep NSW moving forward.
LLUISA MURRAY – SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY
Why have you decided to put your hand up for the election?
To me, quality of life is closely related to our local and global environmental health. I want to ‘do my part’ as an individual in a working democracy and I think we need to prioritise Australia’s unique environment.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I do not currently live inside the electorate but spend lots of recreational time in and around the area.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
I think that individuals feel left behind when it comes to the speed that Sydney has increased in population growth. We have already sprawled and are now racing to build up -without the safety, quality or consultative measures in place that are needed for long term benefit to all (not just those involved in initial business deals).
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
Protecting our environment is the number one issue of our electorate, this includes stopping overdevelopment and stopping corruption.
Your final pitch to voters?
Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement with a science and evidence-based policy platform. We are fighting to protect our environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption. This includes protecting endangered species habitats, native forests and local tree canopies, reducing Australia’s waste production, acting on climate change, stopping inappropriate high-rise and sprawl, delivering new community infrastructure before more housing; stabilising Australia’s population size, transparent reporting of political donations and lobbying, and banning political donations from big business and unions.
ALICIA MOSQUERA – INFORMED MEDICAL OPTIONS PARTY
Why have you decided to put your hand up for the election?
I believe that the Informed Medical Options Party has some excellent policies. I can implement these policies and support the lives of the people as well as the environment.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I have lived 44 years in the eastern suburbs, and about 35 years in the Coogee electorate.
What's your plans for the electorate?
Specifically, I would like to address the public transport issue, investigate the stormwater solution that was approved in 2019 and get it completed. I would like to ensure that school students are not being taught beyond their years and that their parents have a say in their childrens’ medical interventions.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
There are actually many issues in the electorate, as mentioned, public transport, stormwater drainage and also the housing crisis with costs being too high. I am also passionate about small business and would love for more community related events to bring attention to these businesses.
Your final pitch to voters?
You voting for me as your first preference will not be wasted. I am here to help and have an amazing party behind me and am enthusiastic to work hard for you and get things completed. I am not offering false promises. I will make a change.
RAFAELA PANDOLFINI – GREENS
Why are you running?
I love the community in Coogee and I think there needs to be the opportunity to Vote Green in the 2023 state election. I don't think the Liberal or Labor governments will take the issues that matter the most to this community, seriously, and with The Greens in the balance of power we will hold them to account.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
12 years.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
Fully funded public education. I would like to see options for the community when it comes to co-ed high school public education. There needs to be a practical conversation about Randwick Girls’ and Boys’ schools. There are many parents who want to see a co-ed public school so this needs to be explored genuinely. Upgrades to the school campuses need to occur once this has been worked out.
Educators and health workers need a pay rise and better working conditions so we will begin by immediately abolishing the pay cap and ensure there are nurse-patient ratios.
I will advocate as I have done on council, for a lot more investment in arts and culture and vibrant communities. The Greens will be fighting to get rid of pokie machines from our clubs and pubs.
We want the bus routes restored and the public transport back in public hands, and we want to see planning for the future including a fully electrified fleet of buses.
And of course The Greens will always advocate tirelessly for action on climate change. We want to see ambitious plans for making renewables accessible and we want to see the biggest emitters like coal and gas taxed so that we can pay for many of the things that we desperately need rather than go into further debt in NSW.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
I have mentioned many of the significant issues in Coogee including public transport, public education, lifting the wage cap, climate change and protection of the environment and investment in health.
I think on top of that the ongoing sharp increase in living expenses is a really significant issue for everyone in Coogee.
The Greens will fight for immediate rent freezes, no grounds evictions for renters, we want the wage cap scrapped and we want dental into Medicare to start with.
Your final pitch to voters?
We will fight for the environment, living wages, arts and culture, public transport, and public education for all and most importantly we will hold the government in power to account.
SIMON GARROD – ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY
Michael Swan is listed as the Animal Justice Party candidate for the electorate. This publication attempted to contact Mr Garrod but did not receive a response.
MAROUBRA
The battle for the seat of Maroubra is heating up with incumbent MP and former Labor leader Michael Daley returning for his sixth election. Mr Daley has retained Maroubra since succeeding Bob Carr in a 2005 by-election and holds the seat by 8.3 per cent.
The seat will be contested by five other candidates, with current Randwick councillors Bill Burst and Kym Chapple running for the Liberal and The Greens parties respectively.
Monique Isenheim of the Sustainable Australia Party, Holly Williamson of the Animal Justice Party and Roderick Aguilar of the Informed Medical Options Party forms the remainder of the list.
MICHAEL DALEY – LABOR
Why are you running?
I am passionate about making it an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Before becoming our community’s voice in the NSW Parliament, I grew up as the local paperboy getting to know our community walking the streets of South Maroubra.
Professionally, I’ve worked as a customs officer and then as a lawyer with the NRMA. I have also served our community as a former deputy mayor of Randwick Council and a former president of Randwick Rugby Club. As our local MP, I’m proud to have already delivered a millions of dollars in funding for local infrastructure, community organisations, schools and local sporting groups.
I’ve also successfully campaigned against the Matraville Incinerator and secured significant waste water upgrades cleaning up Malabar Beach, as well as banning large container trucks off Botany and Bunnerong Roads. But there is plenty more to do.
Our community desperately needs a fresh start under a Labor Government to fix our bus network, save Yarra Bay and prevent Meriton from building 1600 units at Little Bay.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I’ve lived in our community my entire life.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
My top three local priorities are protecting our beautiful Yarra Bay from the NSW Liberals‘ cruise ship terminal, preventing Meriton from destroying Little Bay with high-rise, and fixing our bus network decimated by cuts and privatisation. I also look forward to working closely alongside my Labor colleague Marjorie O’Neill to fast-track upgrades to Randwick Boys and Girls High Schools. This project will improve the education outcomes for generations across our area.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
The spiralling cost and lack of available housing is touching every corner of the Maroubra electorate with renters doing it particularly tough. Labor has announced major reforms to address the housing crisis including ending of evictions without grounds, banning rental bidding, making affordable housing mandatory on government-owned land, removing or reducing stamp duty so more renters can become owners and stopping the piecemeal sale of public housing across our area.
Your final pitch to voters?
After 12 years in power, life is only getting harder under the NSW Liberals. The cost of living crisis is out of control, our public transport system is getting worse, and thousands of teachers are planning on leaving the profession in the coming years. Yet, the NSW Liberal Government appears to have no positive plans to address these issues instead being inwardly focused. If given 16 years, the only plans they do have for us is the concreting of the beautiful Yarra Bay and the loosening of rules for mega-developers like Meriton to overdevelop our Little Bay. Maroubra needs a fresh start under a new Labor Government.
BILL BURST – LIBERAL
Why are you running?
After 73 years of Labor and 18 years of Michael Daley the seat of Maroubra deserves a hard working local MP and I’m ready to stand up. The community deserve better.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I have lived in the seat of Maroubra for more than 32 years and across the eastern suburbs all of my life.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
Positive changes. One staff member will be a grant co-ordinator to assist and fast track helping schools, councils, businesses and community groups apply for federal, state or local government grants. I will champion key visions and state budget funding for our community and ensure our whole community knows where the local state MP’s office is.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
There are three. Yarra Bay will not happen and has been removed as a project on state planning list. I will follow through with this awesome announcement. Little Bay, any development in our area under Rezoning Pathways Scheme for dwellings over 1000 will fail the strategic merit test criteria. Only the original masterplan from 2017 – 224 dwellings will meet all strategic merit test criteria. Sydney eastern planning panel had two councillors, both being from the Liberal party. Liberal councillors have a track record of supporting our community
Buses, I will focus on continued improvements where there are gaps. I will apply for the return of routes 309 and 392 to continue to the city. Increased 396 services via Flinders and Oxford St. Apply for amendment as required to support community requests.
Your final pitch to voters?
I’m not a career politician or lawyer. I am an aircraft maintenance engineer and global found compliance and safety, I roll my sleeves up.
I will serve a full four years and will work hard and not take the community for granted. I will identify with the community and actually fix problems, previous MPs have been big on promises and short on delivery. I will be a strong voice in government and fight for funding that the people of Maroubra finally deserve.
KYM CHAPPLE – GREENS
Why are you running?
As a local councillor I’ve been increasingly frustrated by the state government making decisions for corporations and the wealthy while communities and the environment lose out. I’m standing up for a fair go for renters, quality pay for nurses, teachers and other public sector workers, and strong investment in climate action for a safer future for all of us.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I’ve lived in the area for almost 10 years. Like many of our residents I was born overseas, and rented until recently, so moving around has been a fact of life. Like so many of our residents I bring experience from living across Sydney and overseas and it helps me see how we can make Maroubra even better.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
The community is saying they want more and better public transport, to rebuild TAFE after a decade of Liberal cuts, for their government to take a bold stance on climate and create new green jobs in our area. They want an MP who listens to them and works hard to get outcomes.
Your final pitch to voters?
Maroubra deserves an active and dynamic representative prepared to stand up for the local community, not someone who has to toe a party line or deliver for corporate donors. If you care about climate action, affordable housing, gambling reform and protecting our local environment then Vote 1 Greens!
MONIQUE ISENHEIM – SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY (SAP)
Why are you running?
I am running for SAP because I am passionate about sustainable development, transparency and financial independence in political decision making. Having 15 years of experience working at the intersection of sustainability and business, primarily in for-purpose organisations, I feel as though I can make a positive impact with the lessons I have learned over this time.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I have lived in the Maroubra electorate for years and love the local natural beauty.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
I will fight to consistently protect our natural and built heritage, ensure proportionate infrastructure before more housing and to act on behalf of the community.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
The most significant issue in our electorate is protecting our environment – which includes stopping overdevelopment and corruption.
Your final pitch to voters?
Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement with a science and evidence-based policy platform. We are fighting to protect our environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption. This includes protecting endangered species habitats, native forests and local tree canopies; reducing Australia’s waste production; acting on climate change; stopping inappropriate high-rise and sprawl; delivering new community infrastructure before more housing; stabilising Australia’s population size; transparent reporting of political donations and lobbying; and banning political donations from big business and unions.
HOLLY WILLIAMSON – ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY
Why are you running?
The people of Maroubra have never been clearer in their demands for protection of our beautiful beaches, marine life and bushland – particularly replacing those indiscriminate shark nets and drumlines with effective technology and preventing the Yarra Bay cruise terminal from going ahead. I hear over and over how the lives of locals have been damaged by bus route cuts and the unconscionably low pay for nurses and midwives and consequent staff shortages. By standing in this election, the people of Maroubra will have the opportunity to vote for a leader who will protect our environment, reinstate our bus routes and mandate 1:1 midwife and nurse ratios and increased pay. Maroubra needs a candidate who will push for protective laws for animals, people and the environment.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
Five years. Randwick was my first home as a child, I moved back here in 2018.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
Preventing the Yarra Bay cruise terminal. I will fight to ensure our community is safe from the increased traffic, overdevelopment, pollution and the degradation of our estuaries that would result from the development. We do not want to see the decimation of the indigenous community’s land and water-based activities.
Shark nets and drumlines must come out of the ocean, they are cruel and indiscriminate. We recently saw a leatherback turtle caught in a shark net at Maroubra beach which was close to suffocating and a dead dolphin tangled in a shark net at Bronte beach.
Last year the Liberal government brought in four new shark nets and installed six drumlines between Maroubra and Little Bay, close to the designated critical habitat inhabited by the endangered grey nurse shark at Magic Point, Maroubra. I will immediately replace all “shark” nets and drumlines along the Maroubra electorate coast with nonlethal shark deterrent measures like more shark listening stations, increased drone and helicopter surveillance, increased patrols on beaches including shark spotters, increased access to emergency response, public education and the wearing of personal shark deterrents.
I will work to reinstate the bus routes that the Liberal government cancelled or shortened.
I will also advocate for pets to be accepted by default in rentals, and on transport, and remove restrictions in cafes, pubs and restaurants. I will ensure that there are more off-lead parks and that they are adequately fenced.
The Animal Justice Party will set up Veticare, which will fund dedicated wildlife hospitals across NSW and will set up a bulk billing model for animal guardians, prioritising animal rescuers and carers.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
The proposed Yarra Bay cruise terminal is top of everyone's mind. I will ensure funding to carry out an independent environmental impact investigation to determine the number and variety of ways the proposed cruise terminal violates the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The cruise terminal threatens numerous endangered and threatened species and I intend on fighting the proposal on these legal grounds.
Your final pitch to voters?
An Animal Justice Party vote sends a really clear message to the major parties that you want change. It shows them you want stronger laws for animals and the environment and that you are tired of the abuse, harm and mistreatment of non-human animals and their habitats. The major parties cannot ignore thousands of Animal Justice Party votes.
RODERICK AGUILAR – INFORMED MEDICAL OPTIONS PARTY
Why are you running?
I am not happy with how the government has handled several key issues in my area and wanted to provide the voters of the Maroubra electorate a clear and valid choice other than the major parties.
How long have you lived in the electorate?
I have lived in many areas around Sydney, finally settling down in the Maroubra area to start a family. I have lived in the Maroubra area for over 23 years, my wife has lived here for over 49 years and my father in law for over 60 years.
What’s your plans for the electorate?
I am seeing an issue with overdevelopment in our area which benefits large developers at the expense of the local community. The Informed Medical Options Party is in favour of smaller governments. If elected I would initiate the process of moving the approval of Development Approvals (DA) from the Department of Planning and Environment back to the local councils who are more in tune with what the community needs in terms of property development. Another issue is the recent Qenos incident where you have a chemical plant in the middle of a densely populated residential area. Finally, I would work to prevent further lockdowns and vaccination mandates from ever happening again.
What’s the most significant issue in the electorate and how will you address it?
The most significant issue in the electorate is the high cost of living while our wages do not increase to keep up with inflation. This ultimately results in a lower standard of living for all Australians. A major contributor to inflation is the level of significant government spending. Rather than punish everyday Australians with consecutive interest rate hikes to curb consumer spending, the government should curb it’s own spending in order to get inflation under control.
Your final pitch to voters?
Under the major parties we have experienced higher costs of living, increased petrol prices, increased inflation, increased mortgage repayments, increased costs of rent, increased traffic congestion, reduced public transport options, more control and overreach of government in all areas of our lives with less freedom and less choices.
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