Wentworth 2018: Your guide to Barry Keldoulis’s policies

THE Wentworth by-election is on this Saturday with a large field of candidates. Our complete guide is the only place to get in depth coverage of local and national policies of all 16 candidates. Here is everything you need to know about Arts Party’s Barry Keldoulis and how he compares to other candidates.

Arts Party candidate Barry Keldoulis says many laws are ill-advised, for example drug laws need to be reformed so are looked at as health and social issues.

THE Wentworth by-election is on this Saturday with a large field of candidates. Our complete guide is the only place to get in depth coverage of local and national policies of all 16 candidates. Here is everything you need to know about Arts Party’s Barry Keldoulis and how he compares to other candidates.

SEE OUR INTERACTIVE DOWN BELOW

BIOGRAPHY

BARRY Keldoulis says he has three decades experience in contemporary art, starting his career as the private secretary and chief of staff for the Honourable Henry Geldzahler, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of New York.

He says that after 15 years overseas, he returned to Sydney, where he worked at Djamu, the Australian Museum, exhibiting their indigenous collections alongside contemporary indigenous art.

Barry says he then entered the commercial world as senior manager at Sherman Galleries.

He says that in 2003 he opened his own gallery for emerging artists and artists from his stable are represented in all the state galleries and the National Gallery of Australia, and many now exhibit internationally.

He says that in 2013 he was appointed the CEO and director of Sydney Contemporary, Australasia’s international art fair.

Barry says he was also chair of the National Association for the Visual Arts, resigning in 2016 to run as a Senate candidate for the Arts Party, and is now its federal leader.

Q&A

1. Do you think we need a new public secondary school in the Wentworth electorate?

Yes. Definitely.

2. What are your thoughts on the current rate of development?

Currently development is outstripping the necessary infrastructure for the population growth.

3. Do you support the proposed development in the national park at South Head?

No. We must be careful of the over-commercialisation of our national parks.

4. Should we make changes to negative gearing?

Probably. Some change to make the system fairer, especially for first home buyers.

5. What are the key elements of your tax policy?

A system that shares the burden fairly.

6. Do you have a stance on corporate political donations?

Not currently, but we would want to avoid going down the American path where the corporations have undue influence through largesse.

7. What is the most important health related issue?

Prevention is better than cure, however, when help is needed it should be easily and quickly accessed by all, supported by adequate funding of our universal health care system.

8. What support should be given to businesses?

In a globalised world it may be prudent to help businesses in their start-up phases, so they can grow and employ, until they can, as businesses should, stand on their own two feet.

9. What emphasis should placed on funding to the arts?

The arts and creative industries will potentially be of ever greater importance in our increasingly technology oriented world and should be funded appropriately, and at arms length from political interference.

10. How should Australia proceed with regards to immigration?

Cautiously but welcomingly, in accordance with our tradition hitherto of appreciating the positive contribution of migrants to our society.

11. Should we change how we process asylum seekers?

Yes. More humanely and in accordance with our international obligations.

12. What action should be taken with regard to climate change?

Immediate and effective reduction in our carbon emissions, including minimising land clearing.

13. Do you support live animal export?

No.

14. Do you think we need to tackle law and order differently?

Our police do a good job, but many of our laws are ill-advised, for example drug laws need to be reformed so that drug related issues are looked at as a health and social issue, not a criminal one.

15. How should we continue to move towards reconciliation with indigenous people?

Firstly, by listening to them, perhaps starting with the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and continuing to hear what their voices have to say about how reconciliation may be achieved.

■ Simply click on your chosen candidate’s name below or on their photograph in our interactive and all will be revealed.

Kerryn Phelps / Dave Sharma / Tim Murray / Dominic WY Kanak / Angela Vithoulkas / Tony Robinson / Steve Georgantis / Shayne Higson / Ben Forsyth / Andrea Leong / Deb Boyle / Robert Callanan / Sam Gunning / Licia Heath / Kay Dunne