Job security, the economy and education were major themes among federal election candidates from all sides of politics in Melbourne’s north.
The Northern Weekly sent questions to all 26 candidates in the Calwell, McEwen and Scullin electorates, asking what their most important local federal issues were and which local issue they would tackle first, if elected.
Here are the responses from the Scullin candidates.
SCULLIN ELECTORATE
PETER COOPER: Candidate for Palmer United Party
Question: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
Answer: The cost of living is hurting the family way of life. The Palmer United Party promises, if elected, a $150 per fortnight increase for pensioners, and the abolishment of the carbon tax to reduce household bills.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: We would fight heavily for more funding for infrastructure for Scullin. This includes better roads, more efficient public transport for people in the outer suburbs of Scullin electorate.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Unemployment
Education
Asylum seekers
Climate change
NBN
ANDREW GILES: Candidate for the Australian Labor Party
Q: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
A: Transforming and diversifying our local economy to secure local jobs into the future. Through Labor’s $1b Australia Jobs Package, Labor is delivering the food precinct to support food manufacturing in Melbourne’s north and continuing the NBN rollout. Investing in education. On average each school in Scullin will be $2.97 million better off in 2019 compared to 2013 under Labor’s Better Schools Plan. Labor has also invested in trade training centres in schools. Labor has also introduced new rules to help local firms get the first chance to secure major projects and small business tax cuts.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: Advocating for improved transport, working with community, state representatives and local government. Better transport infrastructure means a better quality of life for residents in Scullin.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Education
Unemployment
NBN
Climate Change
Asylum Seekers
KATIE CONLON: Candidate for Family First
Q: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
A: The demise of manufacturing in the area and greater support for our young people in this region by focusing more on youth apprenticeships.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: Look at how we could support remaining industry and small business in the region. Look at empowering young people to take control of their future.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Education
Unemployment
Asylum seekers
Climate change
NBN
NATHAN ROLPH: Candidate for Sex Party
Q: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
A: It is important for the Sex Party to focus on national issues, such as marriage equality and personal privacy. However, I believe that closer to home the party’s policy of taxing religion appropriately has the potential for generating funding (in the region of $20 billion annually) for delivering major infrastructure projects such as south-east rail and look at other ways we could address transport and congestion for Scullin.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: The Sex Party’s commitment to improving education is of vital importance to youth and this is especially important in Scullin. But we are primarily focused on national issues that affect all Australians from all walks of life.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Education
NBN
Asylum seekers
Unemployment
Climate change
JAG CHUGHA: Candidate for Liberal Party
Q: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
A: I’m out in our community talking to locals every day. They tell me they’re struggling with cost-of-living pressures and are worried about their job security. We will scrap the carbon tax, strengthen medicare, put in place a paid parental leave scheme and provide better child care.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: I would concentrate on developing a stronger community for families living in Scullin. I want ease the cost-of-living burden and when the opportunity arises, invest in critical local infrastructure like schools and medical services.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Unemployment
Education
Asylum seekers
Climate change
NBN
DOMENIC GRECO: Candidate for Katter’s Australian Party
Q: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
A: The economy and cost of living. Consumer confidence, a failing manufacturing sector and struggling small businesses has resulted in a weariness of the residents to spend on non-essential items. As much of Scullin is within a growth corridor, the reduction in new building approvals impacts on tradespeople who live in the electorate and the businesses that support them. Decreasing interest rates has offered some respite but when tenure of employment is uncertain, struggling families are more careful where and when they spend. The cost of living is putting intense strains on family budgets. The new fire service levy has had a severe impact both on businesses and householders.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: Infrastructure in by far the most pressing local issue according to all I meet. Scullin has been badly left behind in infrastructure developments that are now stifling growth and making living here a daily nightmare. Schools are desperately needed in many new areas that have been promised and still not delivered failing to keep up with the needs of the community. I hope to address family violence and mental health problems. Support in the form of respite facilities will be needed in the very near future.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Unemployment
Education
NBN
Asylum seekers
Climate change
ROSE LJUBICIC: Candidate for the Greens
Q: What is the most important federal issue for the electorate of Scullin?
A: The most important issue is underfunding for essential services. Hospital funding cuts need to be reversed; dental care needs to be available for everyone, and we need effective quality aged care and mental health services. The Greens have fully costed policies that will go a great distance towards meeting these needs.
Q: What would be your first local issue you would tackle were to win your seat?
A: Unemployment is our biggest challenge and small business is our biggest and most effective employer. Small local businesses in Scullin are struggling with the two-speed economy that benefits big business and especially mining. I will meet with and listen to small business representatives. In particular I will work to implement the Greens’ policy to cut company tax for small business from 30 per cent to 28 per cent, and raise the instant asset write-off.
Q: Rank the following five issues in order of importance (from a personal perspective, not necessarily according to party policy):
Climate change
Education
Unemployment
NBN
Asylum seekers
