May 15 - 21, 2022: Issue 538

 

Federal Election 2022: Candidates For Seat Of Mackellar

Mackellar is one of the many electorates created when the Parliament was expanded in size at the 1949 election. Named after poet Dorothea Mackellar, best known for her poem 'My Country' and locally, for having a home at Lovett Bay that was her refuge and place to come for peace, Mackellar covers an area from the northern part of Palm Beach, south to Dee Why and west to Duffys Forest and is 233 sq km in size – it’s one of the original beach to bush places, celebrated worldwide for its beauty – a nature reflected in the openness and smiles of its residents.

In 2022 7 candidates are standing for the seat, although 1, the Pauline Hanson One Nation named candidate, Darren Joseph Dickson of Queensland, has not been seen nor heard from during the entire campaign, neither has he responded to the community's questions for candidates.

This election will be marked by evidence of illegal corflutes and posters and a clear contempt by some elements not only for the residents of Mackellar but the democratic process. A nationwide disconnect from truth in some quarters has obligated the AEC to publish a disinformation page for those statements being issued which impact on its own work, as well candidates themselves having to call it out.

In contrast to the smear of dirty tactics, the rise of a swing towards ‘others’ has marked the 2022 election campaign for Mackellar, with an energised and refreshing local campaign focused on the immediate concerns of residents instead of an old style reeling off of a litany of promises or trying to put words in the mouths of your opponents. It has been, largely, an intelligent debate, including not only centric local issues but those that relate to the rest of the nation and world we’re connected to.

Community leaders and community groups have hosted a range of Candidates Forums during the past few weeks, many of which have been filmed and made available for those who could not attend. The best of these, that moderated by the legendary Geraldine Doogue, runs below as part of this report and provides answers on questions asked, when an actual response to a query was made, as well as insights into the character of those standing. Alike portraits, filmed events are a dynamic that reveals.

The base of this page lists where the local polling booths are for this election.

2022 Candidates For Mackellar In Ballot Paper Order 

How to Vote cards are included where available (where your vote may go via preferences)

NB: Questions from the community include all those sent in - the readership of Pittwater Online News ranges from ages 4 to 94

Barry STEELE Barry, TNL (Formerly The New Liberals)

TNL, formerly registered as The New Liberals, is an Australian political party formed in 2019. Victor Kline, a barrister from Sydney, is the party's first and current leader. The party is underpinned by its Constitution and its Charter of Core Values, the latter of which outlines what party believes to be the basic needs of human beings and includes such points as basing Australia’s economic development on policies of incentive, establishing a simple and just tax system, and understanding that education is the bedrock of a great society and to guarantee the liberty of all. The party believes in Modern Monetary Theory, and publish declarations of political donations they receive.

Victor Kline and three friends founded TNL in response to what they saw as "a government that had apparently mastered the art of bare-faced corruption and an opposition that seemed incapable of calling them out". Initially the party was named "The New Liberals". Kline claimed that the word "liberal" has been twisted into a misnomer by the Liberal Party of Australia, and that many moderate disaffected Liberal and ex-Liberal voters have been attracted to TNL.

The party's registration was approved by the Australian Electoral Commission on 3 June 2021 despite the Liberal Party of Australia's attempts to block it due to the similarity in party names and causing potential confusion in electors. However, due to changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 regarding party names, this decision was overturned by the Australian Electoral Commission and the party's registration was revoked on 7 December 2021. The party was re-registered again simply as TNL on 17 March 2022.

Some of the party's key policies include:

A federal anti corruption commission. The proposed Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) would have the power to investigate and prosecute politicians, judges and bureaucrats who are found to be corrupt or who act in dereliction of their duty. The ICAC would be run by a board of commissioners who are respected and prominent citizens. None of these citizens would be from any of the three branches of Australian government. A special court would be set up to hear ICAC trials. The trials would be by jury, as opposed to being judged by a judge alone. Penalties for anyone convicted would include imprisonment and/or fines.

A climate policy with the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. According to TNL, the world must reach net zero emissions by 2030 to delay any further risk of harm to the planet. The policy is based on the strategies and modelling undertaken by ClimateWorks Australia in their publication 'Decarbonisation Futures: Solutions, actions and benchmarks for a net zero emissions Australia'. The policy sets out in detail how to decarbonise and incorporate zero-emission technologies into key sectors including: electricity generation, commercial and residential buildings, transport, industry, agriculture and land. Under the proposed policy, the outcomes would be compatible with a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius and reach a net zero emission position for Australia by 2030.

A full employment and job guarantee scheme (JGS). The policy aims 'to provide decent jobs at decent pay on demand to all individuals of legal working age who want to work.' Jobs would be created in close proximity to where the unemployed live and would be suitable to people of varied education and skill levels. The JGS would offer a wage set at 60% of the median Australian wage. The program is completely voluntary but will offer permanent full-time employment. Those who choose not to be employed by the JGS will still be able to access unemployment benefits. Australian citizens are currently able to register for the JGS via TNL website. Those who register will be ensured of early placement in the Scheme.

Why are you standing for the Seat of Mackellar?

I decided to stand as I have been heartily sick of the failure to address the climate crisis and economics on all sides of politics.  Scientists keep telling us we are failing the test, but neither the Liberal nor Labor Party is listening. We Face a well-defined physical threat of imminent environmental collapse. We’ve probably already lost the Great Barrier Reef, Koalas, untold marsupials and insects.  Our plant life may never recover. Places that haven’t seen fire in thousands of years have been scorched and may never recover.  I can’t stand by and let perverted economic ideology further damage out land. It’s beyond a joke.

I intend to fight he continued implementation of cockeyed failed Austerity (Neoliberal/Neoconservative) policies both sides have adopted and stuck to like araldite for decades. We have seen millionaires turned into billionaires, workers become the insecure working poor and the once thriving middle classes hollowed out and replaced by levels of parasitic margin seekers and rentiers.

This occurred while our natural world has been sacrificed to a Profit Over Everything.  It’s a sickness.  I want to work with my community.

What qualifications do you have that will enable you to successfully represent the people of Mackellar?

Academically, I have degrees in Zoology and Computer Science and was a member of a team that was awarded a CSIRO Medal die Research Achievement in 1996.  I have over 38 yrs of IT Industry experience in a range of sectors including Telecommunications, Energy and Membership management applications.  I established a small consulting company in the electorate. Hpfm went on to assist Surf Lifesaving Australia transition all of their membership management and club activities and assets over about 10 years.  We were able to do this by directly talking to lifesavers about their needs and focussing all aspects of the system to maximising lifesaving activities rather than administration.

I have lived in Dee Why for 20 years and have been active in the Warringah Chamber of Commerce, Go and Surf Social (a youth suicide prevention group).

Last week we saw disgraceful behaviour where fake and illegal corflutes of those running against you were placed everywhere. What is your personal stance on this kind of activity?

It’s childish and illegal. I am not in favour of corflutes as they create a very large amount of litter. But, having said that, they are legal and anyone interfering with them should be subject to the relevant laws.

Is it important to lead by example and display integrity or can the democratic processes in place in this country be denigrated and disrespected when an election is being run?

Future Works and Track Record: what are the BIG plans you have for the people of Mackellar and what have you done in the past that demonstrates knowledge and ability to successfully complete these?

TNL have several policies that would significantly improve life on the northern beaches.  These include a Job Guarantee that will be federally funded and locally managed and planned.  This will allow anyone that wishes to work the opportunity to apply their skills and experience to implement local projects.  When we link this to care TNL will pay carers a living wage.

Federal ICAC: do you support the establishment of a Federal ICAC that can investigate the works and workings of Australian politicians?

Yes.

A. Our ICAC will be run by a Board of Commissioners consisting of eight prominent and respected citizens whose honesty is beyond reproach. None of these citizens will be from, or will have held office in, any of the three branches of government.

B. A board, rather than one commissioner is essential, because there is an undesirable risk that with only one person, the ICAC itself may become corrupt.

C. The Board members will not need to be legally qualified, as there will be lawyers to handle the day to day prosecutions. The Board will be responsible for general policy, and for making decisions on who will be investigated, and who will be prosecuted.

D. When a Board member retires or resigns, their replacement will be made by the remaining seven members, thus ensuring continuation of incorruptibility on the Board.

E. The lawyers who conduct the day to day prosecutions, and the officers who conduct the day to day investigations will be on limited tenure, to avoid the possibility that they will build ‘relationships’ with the sorts of people they should be prosecuting. All hiring of the original lawyers and their replacements will be done by the Board, not by an employee within the Commission, again to avoid the risk of a corrupt culture arising within the ICAC.

F. A special court would be set up to hear ICAC trials, to avoid the risk of bias or perception of bias, which may arise in any of the established courts, where many of the judges could have associations with, or have been appointed by, some of the people under investigation.

G. The trials would be by jury. Never by judge alone.

H. Crucially, the basis for prosecution would not just be corruption or illegality, but would also include dereliction of duty or abuse of power. This is because many damaging acts by politicians, judges and bureaucrats are strictly within the law, but nonetheless cause significant and unnecessary suffering. In this regard it is important to remember that slavery, Apartheid and concentration camps were all ‘legal’.

I. Penalties for those convicted will include imprisonment and/or fines. There will also be a provision for the Court to order those convicted to make good, by way of compensation, losses incurred by victims of their corruption.

J. To guard against future governments underfunding or defunding the ICAC, the enabling legislation will make it an act of corruption in itself to reduce levels of funding for the ICAC below the levels at establishment, in real terms.

Wakehurst Parkway: the incumbent MP has recently announced a split partnership with the NSW Government to allocate $150million to upgrade parts of Wakehurst Parkway near Warringah Road. However, it is the spots towards the lagoon itself that require attention, and as per many community wishes, without damaging the immediate environment. Community groups and individuals are calling for a raised roadbridge in these sections. Do you support using that particular mechanism to enable permanent access to the NBH for all those residents who are now cut off each time it floods?

I would support mechanisms that minimise the impact on the local environment.  I have not seen the full details of all alternatives, and so I’m not in a position to unconditionally back any specific proposition. I would not support Large scale clearing.

Net Zero by 2050 Vs. Net Zero by 2030: Residents are stating that Net Zero by 2050 is unacceptable and require real measures to be taken to reach or limit warming to 1.5 degrees by 2030 – residents are also angry about what is deemed ‘the propping up of the fossil fuel industry’ and the coalition government allocating billions in subsidies and tax breaks of their money annually as likewise, unacceptable. What is your stance on this? Do you support the continuance of these subsidies and tax breaks?

Our policy is to cease all subsidies to companies engaged in fossil fuel extraction. We will cancel tax breaks and implement strong tax policies to ensure they pay their share in tax.  We will also charge them to remediate methane leaks

Homes:  What plans do you support to ensure those trying to get a ‘foot in the door’ of the housing market can do so in local terms?

TNL has a comprehensive Housing Affordability Policy (https://tnl.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TheNewLiberalsHousingPolicy.pdf) which the space here doesn’t permit a full description.

We reject the decades of grants and schemes coupled with obtuse taxation regulations has seen Australian households run up 135% of GDP in debt while home ownership has declined from 1988 to 2018 from 43% to 32% and the fraction renting from private landlords rise from 18% to 28% in the same time.

Our policy seeks to do two things, It consists of;

A. “Monetary Reset”, which reverses the private debt mistakes of the last 30 years; and

B. Rules that limit mortgage debt based on the income-earning potential of the property

The outcomes of the monetary reset are:

  • A dramatic and necessary fall in the indebtedness of the Australian public;
  • A matching increase in the public’s financial equity. The pressure to speculate to achieve financial security for your future is substantially reduced;
  • An increase in GDP, as money is redistributed away from the finance sector and towards the real economy; and
  • A fall in the total debt ratio, as the private debt ratio falls more than the government ratio rises

Youth and Adult Suicides: local community groups and individuals are calling for a 24/7 facility to be established in our area as that available now cannot meet demand and we are losing people. Do you support this and do you have a plan/place where this could occur?

Yes I would, the location would be best determined by local practitioners and subject matter experts

Wildlife: Australia has the worst record in the world on species extinctions, with millions of hectares of endangered species habitat cleared illegally during the last decade. Locally there is a group of volunteers working through WIRES and Sydney Wildlife to save local native birds and animals, all of the costs are being met by these volunteers or their organisations. Do you have a plan to help them save more animals through providing funding to support their education programs and costs for saving animals (food, transport etc.)?

Yes, we have specific reforestation policies, including create ecological corridors to connect area of biodiversity. We would ban logging of native forests.

What other works would you ensure occur to increase the safety and survival of local wildlife?

TNL have extensive Climate Change (NetZero 2030 plans) and Environmental policies that space here doesn’t permit.

As a summary;

  • Cancel Adani contract
  • Federal acquisition of national parks to prevent future logging and hunting
  • Protection and preservation of native species
  • Trees on farms
  • Ethical farming practices
  • Ban live export of animals
  • Water management (see separate section)
  • Traffic reduction (see Affordable Housing and Traffic)

Please see www.tnl.net.au/policies


Mr. Steele's  How-to-Vote cards


Darren Dickson - Pauline Hanson's One Nation

No responses to your questions received. (NB: 6 sentences have now been added to his webpage on the PHON website.)

How PHON wants you to vote:


Sophie SCAMPS - Independent

Website for more information: https://www.sophiescamps.com.au/

Why are you standing for the Seat of Mackellar?

Our community has been ignored and taken for granted for decades. I have lived here for 22 years and during that time our representative has not genuinely listened to nor represented the views and values of our community. It’s time Mackellar had an MP that listened and acted on the issues that matter to us most. Locals have told me meaningful action on climate change, helping local businesses grow, establishing a federal anti-corruption commission and improving our health and mental health services are the most important issues facing our community – and these will be my priorities as your independent MP for Mackellar.

What qualifications do you have that will enable you to successfully represent the people of Mackellar?

I am a community-backed independent candidate who has lived and worked here on the Northern Beaches for 22 years. After serving the community in the Emergency Department of Mona Vale Hospital and then practising as a GP in Narrabeen until November 2021, I decided to run for parliament as the Independent for Mackellar. 

While studying medicine at Sydney University, I was also an athlete and qualified for the 1992 Olympics. I am still involved in athletics as a volunteer race starter with Little Athletics in Narrabeen. 

After I attained my medical degree, I gained a Masters with Honours at the College of Surgeons in Dublin, before my Oxford education where I gained a Masters of Science. I followed this with a Masters of Public Health from the University of NSW which I completed in 2010. 

In 2019 I founded Our Blue Dot, a community-led non-profit organisation aimed at empowering the local community to reduce our waste and emissions, successfully supporting the installation of solar panels on Avalon Surf Club. 

I was a founding member of Voices of Mackellar in 2020, a non-partisan community organisation set up to engage people in their democracy and listen to their concerns and the issues they wanted to be represented on I realised through this experience that people didn’t feel that they are being represented and wanted an independent to stand to represent them.

In 2021, I founded Mackellar Rising with my friend Anyo Geddes with the express intention of building a movement to support an independent candidate for Mackellar. 

My life experience has been based on listening, collaborating, making evidence-based decisions and rising to the challenge - whether that’s been as an elite athlete, a GP, a community advocate or as an emergency room doctor.

Last week we saw disgraceful behaviour where fake and illegal corflutes of those running against you were placed everywhere. A) What is your personal stance on this kind of activity? B) Is it important to lead by example and display integrity or can the democratic processes in place in this country to be denigrated and disrespected when an election is being run? 

We have intentionally run a positive campaign yet we have seen all sorts of dirty tricks here in Mackellar. The illegal and fake corflutes were another example of a well-resourced and well-coordinated negative attack on our campaign. It’s time to restore integrity, decency and transparency to politics and the only way to do that at this election is to vote independent. All of our 1,200 volunteers sign and agree to a code of conduct that requires the highest standards of behaviour, I expect all our volunteers to act with the upmost integrity throughout the campaign. 

Future Works and Track Record: what are the BIG plans you have for the people of Mackellar and what have you done in the past that demonstrates knowledge and ability to successfully complete these?

The policies that I am taking to this election come straight from the people of Mackellar. This campaign started two years ago listening to the concerns of people in our community around their kitchen tables, in parks and in cafes. As a former GP, as well as the co-founder of environmental NGO Our Blue Dot as well as Voices of Mackellar, I have a track record of listening to our community and then responding with positive action. 

The issues that Mackellar has identified as being most important at this election are meaningful climate action, including setting a minimum 50% 2030 emissions reduction target and legislating Australia’s 2050 net zero target. My community have also told me that a strong federal anti-corruption commission, action to tackle the cost of living pressures we are all facing and improved public health and mental health services are important issues that need to be tackled by the next parliament. 

Federal ICAC: do you support the establishment of a Federal ICAC that can investigate the works and workings of Australian politicians?

Yes it is one of my priorities. I support Helen Haines’ Integrity Bill which would see a strong and  independent anti-corruption commission established immediately. 

Wakehurst Parkway: the incumbent MP has recently announced a split partnership with the NSW Government to allocate $150million to upgrade parts of Wakehurst Parkway near Warringah Road. However, it is the spots towards the lagoon itself that require attention, and as per many community wishes, without damaging the immediate environment. Community groups and individuals are calling for a raised roadbridge in these sections.  A) Do you support using that particular mechanism to enable permanent access to the NBH for all those residents who are now cut off each time it floods? B) how would you address the problems with access for residents to the only local hospital they still have?

When it comes to the Wakehurst Parkway, the $150 million allocated does nothing to alleviate the main issue facing our community – the continued flooding that shuts the road and cuts our community in half. If elected I would work with the experts, as well as with state government and local council to advocate for and implement the best plan to alleviate flooding on the Wakehurst Parkway, while also protecting our bushland. 

Net Zero by 2050 Vs. Net Zero by 2030: Residents are stating that Net Zero by 2050 is unacceptable and require real measures to be taken to reach or limit warming to 1.5 degrees by 2030 – residents are also angry about what is deemed ‘the propping up of the fossil fuel industry’ and the coalition government allocating billions in subsidies and tax breaks of their money annually as likewise, unacceptable. What is your stance on this – A) do you support the continuance of these subsidies and tax breaks? B) Do you support a plan of Net Zero by 2030 and how would your policies achieve this? C)residents are seeing increased incidents of flooding locally as well as seeing their relatives homes being destroyed through floods and fires – what local works will you be supporting to mitigate these impacts?

We need a minimum 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, this target is backed by the science, backed by the UN, the Paris Agreement as well as being in line with what the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group. I also support legislating our 2050 net zero target and working to get there as soon as possible. The legislation allows for earlier targets and encourages a pathway to do this. It is in no way limited to net zero by 2050. Business needs certainty however and we need a legislative framework.

In order to achieve these targets we need to invest in renewable energy and the clean tech  industries of the future while we also need to develop sector-specific decarbonisation plans. The bulk of Australia’s reductions are coming from the energy sector, and while we need to continue to decarbonise Australia’s energy system, we also need a plan to decarbonise other sectors such as agriculture, heavy industry and transport. My policies focus on incentivising EV take up.

Homes: What plans do you support to ensure those trying to get a ‘foot in the door’ of the housing market can do so in local terms?

I know how difficult it is for young people to get into the housing market on the Northern Beaches and as a GP I have looked after many young families who have had to move out of the region in order to buy a home. This breaks up families and it breaks up networks. Increasing housing supply while controlling affordability is a really complex issue and one that the Morrison government has failed to address over the last decade. I want to increase housing supply here on the Northern Beaches so everyone has the chance to own their own home, through for example, investment in more affordable and diverse housing options. But we need to increase housing supply while maintaining strong planning controls to prevent poorly planned over-development from undermining our way of life on the Northern Beaches. All three levels of government need to work in a bipartisan manner to implement a long term approach to this issue. 

Youth and Adult Suicides: local community groups and individuals are calling for a 24/7 facility to be established in our area as that available now cannot meet demand and we are losing people. A) Do you support this and do you have a plan/place where this could occur? B) What other community based works/facilities/projects/funding do you have planned for our local younger residents?

There is a youth mental health crisis on the Northern Beaches. It can take months for a young person to see a specialist for the help they need. Data also shows mental health hospitalisation rates are higher on the Northern Beaches than the rest of NSW.

I am calling for the creation of a dedicated youth mental health inpatient service and if elected I will fight to ensure the federal government commits to expanding mental health services here on the Beaches. In addition I am calling for additional funding for mental health services, the creation of a national mental health waitlist so we can understand where in Australia our mental health services are most stretched, and where funding needs to be directed. 

Seniors Support: many of the local not-for-profit groups are calling out for more volunteers to help assist the many clients they have on their books for simple things such as shopping/cleaning/gardening/ mitigating social isolation. Do you have a plan to assist meeting the shortfall in boots on the ground strategies? What other strategies and policies will make the lot of our local Seniors lives better with you as their federal representative?

I am open to listening to the community as I believe many of our concerns can be solved by the community. As a local member I will listen to and empower not-for-profit organisations. I have a 1500 person strong volunteer base who may be looking for ways to get involved once the campaign is over. I will be happy to work with community groups to see what we can achieve together. 

Seniors have a great contribution to make to our society, as well as many need to be cared for. 

As the Member for Mackellar I will work to:

  • Implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
  • Attract, develop, train and better remunerate our aged care workforce
  • Increase funding for research into aged care to better inform aged care practices
  • Implement initiatives (for example, an expanded Medical Benefits Schedule) to improve residents’ access to specialist and allied health services as part of multidisciplinary care
  • Seek funding for primary care nurses in Residential Aged Care Facilities to support GP care
  • Expand and develop the home care workforce to meet growing demand

Veterans: Mackellar has a large and growing Veterans population that are experiencing problems in gaining housing as well as support measures to transition to civilian living – what measures would you forward to support this work by local organisations?

I look forward to hearing more about the concerns of our veterans who have served our country and working with them to see how best to support them

Health: What is your health policy?

You can access my full health policy here

Arts: Mackellar has a large resident population involved in every creative sphere. Do you have a policy or plan to support and help grow this locally?

You can access my full arts and culture policy here

Education: many of our local teachers went on strike May 4th due to a loss of teachers from this profession in public schools placing added stress and the loss of actual teaching in classrooms as they were combines, and working an average of 20 hours a week unpaid. Their union also stated in April that the coalition government had allocated billions to private schools while public schools were going backwards. What can be done at a federal level to stop the loss of teachers and ensure every hour they work is being paid? 

If elected, I will support:

  • Ensuring all Australian children have access to quality education, regardless of their background or where they live
  • Teachers being fairly rewarded and supported for the crucial job they do for our children
  • Funding for mental health practitioners in our schools
  • A strengthened TAFE system
  • A strong university sector where students are not punished for wanting to pursue study in the arts or humanities

Wildlife: Australia has the worst record in the world on species extinctions. Locally there is a group of volunteers working through WIRES and Sydney Wildlife to save local native birds and animals, all of the costs are being met by these volunteers or their organisations. A) Do you have a plan to help them save more animals through providing funding to support their education programs and costs for saving animals (food, transport etc.) B) What other works would you ensure occur to increase the safety and survival of local wildlife? C) what plans to do you have to address the millions of hectares Australia has lost of threatened species habitat?

A key element of my climate policy is to regenerate Australia. The government must invest more in regenerating Australia’s bushland and rainforests, and I am calling for the government to replant 8 mega hectares of trees to ensure we reach net zero while helping to protect our threatened species. We must also ensure Australia’s national environmental law, the EPBC Act, is implemented to stop widespread tree and land clearing. 

Finally the government must do more to protect and restore our blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and sea grasses as they not only store vast volumes of carbon, but also act as critical habitat for threatened marine species. 

Why should Residents vote for you in this election – what unique understandings and knowledge do you have that underpins your candidature?

Our community has been ignored and taken for granted for decades. I have lived here for 22 years and during that time our representatives have not genuinely listened to nor represented the views and values of our community. 

It’s time Mackellar had an MP that listened and acted on the issues that matter to us most. I am standing at this election as a community-backed independent with the main focus of protecting our way of life here in Mackellar. 

As a community-backed independent, the priorities and policies I am taking to this election have come directly from the community. Locals have told tell me they want to see meaningful action on climate change, a government that will help our local businesses grow while they also want to see a return of integrity and transparency to politics through the establishment of a federal anti-corruption commission with teeth. People have also told me that improving our health and mental health services here in Mackellar is a major priority, and as a former emergency room doctor and GP I agree that our health system is in crisis. These will be my priorities as your independent MP for Mackellar.

Paula GOODMAN - Labor

An Avalon Beach local, Paula is a committed and passionate advocate for the Northern Beaches and has been involved in efforts to preserve our environment, improve domestic and family violence services, and deliver better mental health care.

Through a long working career Paula learnt the importance of integrity and understands that politics should be no different. That's why she'll always support creating a national integrity commission to hold politicians from all sides to account.

Paula will work to create a better future on the Northern beaches by delivering quality health services, well-funded local schools, more affordable childcare, better mobile & broadband coverage, and will support local businesses to create good, secure jobs.

As a local wildlife rescue volunteer, Paula understands the fragility of our local environment and will work to protect our unique way of life from climate change and overdevelopment.

Why are you standing for the Seat of Mackellar?

I wanted to be able to make a difference. At the tender age of fourteen the Vietnam war was raging, and the news was full of the most atrocious images. My friends’ brothers were being conscripted. I became, like many young people of that time, involved in joining my voice to the thousands who wanted to put a stop to our involvement in the war and to conscription. Hence my first political enlightenment, and the start of my dedication to the Labor Party. I feel I can use that same commitment and energy to bring a voice to Mackellar.

What qualifications do you have that will enable you to successfully represent the people of Mackellar?

 I worked in Television for over 35 years leading a team on many productions. Deadlines, no room for error and 100% scrutiny. I’ve also worked in aged care and palliative care. I’ve now been a volunteer WIRES Rescuer for over 10 years on the Northern Beaches. This is a skillset I can bring to help the people of Mackellar.

Last week we saw disgraceful behaviour where fake and illegal corflutes were placed everywhere. A) What is your personal stance on this kind of activity? B) Is it important to lead by example and display integrity or can the democratic processes in place in this country to be denigrated and disrespected when an election is being run? 

More than ever, we need to lead by example.  The bad behaviour of a few people can be disruptive and cause considerable harm, especially for those of us with little funding for replacement corflutes. It also wastes the time of our hard-working volunteers, so like many others who were impacted by this behaviour, I reported it to the AEC.  

Future Works and Track Record: what are the BIG plans you have for the people of Mackellar and what have you done in the past that demonstrates knowledge and ability to successfully complete these?

Housing is a big problem here, our environment, and homelessness for women and families escaping DM. I am working to gain funding for the Woman’s Resilience Centre to create a safe and holistic approach for a property here on the Northern Beaches. I’ve delivered TV programming with 100% accuracy with serious attention to detail and deadlines. Including live to air programming.  

Federal ICAC: do you support the establishment of a Federal ICAC that can investigate the works and workings of Australian politicians?

A Federal ICAC is an absolute no brainer, The Liberal Party have railed against it for what I feel are obvious reasons. Labor will make sure it gets done as they believe in transparency and accountability.  

Wakehurst Parkway: the incumbent MP has recently announced a split partnership with the NSW Government to allocate $150million to upgrade parts of Wakehurst Parkway near Warringah Road. However, it is the spots towards the lagoon itself that require attention, and as per community wishes, without damaging the immediate environment. Community groups and individuals are calling for a raised road bridge in these sections.  A) Do you support using that particular mechanism to enable permanent access to the NBH for all those residents who are now cut off each time it floods? B) how would you address the problems with access for residents to the only local hospital they still have?

The Wakehurst Parkway had been a thorn in our side here for far too long, but the issue is now being highlighted because of the NB hospital. I would make sure we call on the people of science and a handpicked environmental committee who can work hand in hand with the state and federal Governments to resolve this life-threatening situation.  

Net Zero by 2050 Vs. Net Zero by 2030: Residents are stating that Net Zero by 2050 is unacceptable and require real measures to be taken to reach or limit warming to 1.5 degrees by 2030 – residents are also angry about what is deemed ‘the propping up of the fossil fuel industry’ and the coalition government allocating billions in subsidies and tax breaks of their money annually as likewise, unacceptable. What is your stance on this – A) do you support the continuance of these subsidies and tax breaks? B) Do you support a plan of Net Zero by 2030 and how would your policies achieve this? C)residents are seeing increased incidents of flooding locally as well as seeing their relatives homes being destroyed through floods and fires – what local works will you be supporting to mitigate these impacts?

Mackellar, like the rest of the country, is being impacted by fossil fuels. We need to start the ball rolling by embracing innovative technology now and into the future. Australia’s GHG emissions are the highest per capita in the world. We also top the very unenviable list of the biggest loss of native animal species in the world.

Homes: What plans do you support to ensure those trying to get a ‘foot in the door’ of the housing market can do so in local terms?

Labor will be implementing lower energy prices by introducing communal batteries to sore solar energy to suburbs throughout the area. This is an initiative announced by the Honourable Chris Bowen. I made this announcement on his behalf to the people of Warriewood, as it will be the first suburb where it will be implemented. Childcare fees will also be a large saving for people trying to save to get into their first home.  A better deal for our gig workers and part time workers will also put more money into the pockets of people saving for a home deposit. 

Youth and Adult Suicides: local community groups and individuals are calling for a 24/7 facility to be established in our area as that available now cannot meet demand and we are losing people. A) Do you support this and do you have a plan/place where this could occur? B) What other community based works/facilities/projects/funding do you have planned for our local younger residents?

Yes, we need to address counselling services and support availability.  Also, there are only 6 Acute mental health care beds at NB Hospital. This is one of my main concerns for our area.  This has been an ongoing discussion for me with many mental health care workers on the beaches. 

Seniors Support: many of the local not-for-profit groups are calling out for more volunteers to help assist the many clients they have on their books for simple things such as shopping/cleaning/gardening/ mitigating social isolation. Do you have a plan to assist meeting the shortfall in boots on the ground strategies? What other strategies and policies will make the lot of our local Seniors lives better with you as their federal representative?

This should not be left up to our hard-working volunteers. A decent wage for our Nurses in Aged Care and hospitals is way overdue. The Royal Commission was scathing of the situation. Labor has promised action on this, not just more empty promises. Free TAFE education will also go a long way to having skilled workers in our hospitals and easier VISA applications to bring more skilled workers into these areas of need.

Veterans: Mackellar has a large and growing Veterans population that are experiencing problems in gaining housing as well as support measures to transition to civilian living – what measures would you forward to support this work by local organisations?

Addressing the affordable housing shortage would be a huge benefit to our Veterans, especially those that grew up here and have a support network in the area. The Veteran Centre, which has its office at the Dee Why RSL Club, has been created to ensure that current and former serving Australian defence force members are provided with easily accessible support, funding, housing and counselling. This is supported by the Dee Why RSL sub-Branch and Dee Why RSL Club.

Health: What is your health policy?

Demand for healthcare is skyrocketing – we need more GPs, and better access to other health care professionals. Without this, it is going to get even harder to see a GP, and the fees you pay once you do get in will be even higher. And it is only through fixing primary care that we will take the pressure off our hospitals. All Australians deserve access to universal, prompt, and world class medical care, and no one deserves to face a multi-year wait for vital treatments simply due to the cost. Labor built Medicare and we will always protect it. Labor will also deliver at least 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics to take pressure off our emergency departments.

Arts: Mackellar has a large resident population involved in every creative sphere. Do you have a policy or plan to support and help grow this locally?

Last year, the other side of politics made it clear they don’t even see artists as workers. It doesn’t see arts companies as businesses. It's all supposedly about hobbies and indulgences. I’m very glad that our industrial relations policies – which Anthony Albanese announced last year – will help work in the arts and culture sector. The measures include extending the powers of the Fair Work Commission to include employee-like forms of work, allowing it to better protect gig workers. Legislating a fair and objective test of casual work, and working with State and Territory Governments, unions, industry to work out whether there are areas where portable entitlements schemes for Australians can be delivered in insecure work.

Education: many of our local teachers went on strike May 4th due to a loss of teachers from this profession in public schools placing added stress and the loss of actual teaching in classrooms as they were combines, and working an average of 20 hours a week unpaid. Their union also stated in April that the coalition government had allocated billions to private schools while public schools were going backwards. What can be done at a federal level to stop the loss of teachers and ensure every hour they work is being paid? 

Labor will put every school on a path to its full and fair level of funding. As a starting point we must make sure our kids can bounce back after COVID. Labor will deliver $440 million to schools for better ventilation, building upgrades, and mental health support. We’ll make sure our schools are safe for learning with a Schools Upgrade Fund to improve air quality, build more outdoor classrooms, buy air purifiers, and replace boarded-up windows and doors. We are also seeing teacher shortages right across Australia. There are too many classes in too many schools that are getting minimal supervision because they can’t find a relief teacher to teach that class that day. Labor’s policy seeks to remedy the situation by offering a range of incentives for high achievers to consider a teaching career. Government funding for 5,000 students that receive an ATAR of 80 or above will be introduced in order to attract students to undertake teaching studies at university. Each of the 5,000 students would be given up to $12,000 a year as an incentive to focus on teaching studies. Retraining for professionals from other fields is also being proposed under the Labor plan with additional support being promised for 1,500 qualified professionals as a part of the Higher Achieving Teachers Program in a range of fields such as mathematics and science. That program provides an opportunity for professionals to retrain as teachers while they receive a part-time wage as they complete an intensive masters-level teaching qualification. The Labor policy also promises further discussions on teaching employment pathways, with the state and territory governments as a part of the National School Reform  Agreement.

The Schools Upgrade Fund will mean that in 2023, public school systems will receive the same amount funding from the Commonwealth for new buildings and world-class facilities as private schools do.

Wildlife: Australia has the worst record in the world on species extinctions with millions of hectares of endangered species habitat illegally cleared in the last decade. Locally there is a group of volunteers working through WIRES and Sydney Wildlife to save local native birds and animals, all of the costs are being met by these volunteers or their organisations. A) Do you have a plan to help them save more animals through providing funding to support their education programs and costs for saving animals (food, transport etc.) B) What other works would you ensure occur to increase the safety and survival of local wildlife? C) what plans do you have to address the millions of hectares Australia has lost of threatened species habitat?

I can comment on our wildlife situation with full knowledge of how desperate it is. I have been a WIRES rescuer for over ten years, and I have seen such a significant increase in the destruction to our native wildlife and our flora. This is something that should have been addressed urgently. We have the highest number of lost species in the world. Locally toxic weeds have been allowed to run rampant. The encroachment of roads and cars on our wildlife corridors mean our birds and mammals are coming in closer and closer to these dangerous areas.  Loss of wildlife habitat has been the demise of so much of our beautiful wildlife.  We need funding and I would lobby on behalf of all those who care. We can’t just rely on the hard work of our volunteers.        

Why should Residents vote for you in this election – what unique understanding and knowledge do you have that underpins your candidature?

I think the residents of Mackellar should vote for me firstly because I am passionate about the beautiful electorate of Mackellar. I have had enough life experiences that I can relate to a wide range of people and the problems that they face. Secondly, the party that I represent places utmost importance on affordable housing, Aged Care, childcare and will give full support to retaining the services of Medicare.


Paula Goodman's How-to-Vote card for 2022 Election

Jason FALINSKI - Liberal

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Christopher Thomas BALL - United Australia Party

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Ethan HRNJAK - The Greens

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Impacted By COVID-19 On Election Day And Required To Isolate?

With thousands still testing positive to Covid every day and being required to isolate, you may be wondering what to do if this happens to you.

The AEC states you can apply for a postal vote until Wednesday May 18: https://aec.gov.au/election/pva.htm

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that while elections are in-person community events, the AEC continues to accommodate necessary changes for the global pandemic.

“We’re accounting for the pandemic in many aspects of election delivery, including options for COVID-19 positive voters in isolation,” Mr Rogers said.

“If you test positive today, or in the next few days, you’ll be in isolation until after polls close on Saturday, and need to apply for a postal vote.”

Postal vote applications are open until 6pm Wednesday 18 May 2022.

“Applications this late in the election period should only be submitted by voters who have no other voting option.”

“This will primarily be people who test positive to COVID-19, haven’t voted yet and won’t be out of isolation until after Election Day.”

People who test positive to COVID-19 from mid-week onwards, who haven’t already voted, and have missed the postal vote application deadline, will be able to access a telephone vote. Information about the telephone voting service will be available to voters who need it once postal vote applications close.

Emergency telephone voting has been introduced for voters forced to isolate with COVID.  You will need to provide proof of a positive COVID test from either a PCR test or a rapid antigen test (RAT). Tests must also be registered with your state or territory health authority.  Voters will need to provide proof of the date and time of their positive PCR result, or the serial number of their RAT. 

The AEC says voters will have to go through a few steps to access telephone voting.  You will need to register on the AEC website. Once there, you will need to provide evidence of being COVID positive and make a declaration about your eligibility. You will then be matched to the electoral roll.

Checks will also be made to confirm that you have not already voted by telephone or another method. You will be asked questions to check your details on the electoral roll, and you will also be asked to choose a PIN. You will then receive a telephone voting registration number by your choice of an email, SMS or phone call.

For more, visit:  https://www.aec.gov.au/

So far, approximately 2.5 million postal vote applications have been received, up from 1.5 million at the previous federal election in 2019.

“There is a sting in the tail with so many postal vote applications this election, and that is the count.”

“We simply cannot count postal votes on election night - we’re already at the limits of our staffing capacity, and work health and safety responsibilities, with the count of election day and pre-poll votes”.

“With 105,000 staff, we’re temporarily one of the nation’s largest employers, which is an undoubted resourcing challenge during COVID-19.”

Postal vote counts have been brought forward in the counting timetable from 2019 when it commenced on the Tuesday after election day. Postal vote counts will begin on the Sunday afternoon following election day this federal election.

“If it’s a close result in individual seats, or overall in the House of Representatives, this level of postal votes makes an election night indication of who forms government less likely.”

“In many ways the speed of the count is the biggest effect COVID will have on how this election is run.” Mr Rogers said.

“The election night parties haven’t seen a result in two of the past four federal elections, and COVID-19 may add 2022 to that list.”

To May 14, 2022 there are currently 4,571 active cases of Covid in a population of 275,041

Source: NSW Health, Screenshot from NSW Positive Cases of Covid statistics

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Polling Booths For The 2022 Federal Election

  • Barrenjoey High School; 1-3 Coonanga Rd, Avalon Beach
  • Avalon Recreation Centre; 59A Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach
  • Avalon Public School; 11 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach
  • Bilgola Plateau Public School; 148A Plateau Rd, Bilgola Plateau
  • Newport Surf Life Saving Club; 394 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport
  • Palm Beach Kindergarten; 1053 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach
  • Newport Public School; Stuart St, Newport
  • St Luke's Grammar School (Bayview Campus); 1977 Pittwater Rd, Bayview
  • Pittwater High School; 1668 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale
  • Mona Vale Memorial Hall; 1 Park St, Mona Vale
  • Mona Vale Public School; 15 Waratah St, Mona Vale
  • Nelson Heather Centre; 4 Jacksons Rd, Warriewood
  • Ted Blackwood Youth & Community Centre; cnr Jackson Rd & Boondah Rd, Warriewood
  • Narrabeen Sports High School; 10 Namona St, North Narrabeen
  • Elanora Heights Public School; 43 Elanora Rd, Elanora Heights
  • Lakes Parish Hall; 21 Lagoon St, Narrabeen
  • Narrabeen Lakes Public School; 1299 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen
  • Collaroy Masonic Hall; 1183 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy
  • Terrey Hills Public School; Cooyong Rd, Terrey Hills
  • Collaroy Plateau Youth & Community Centre; 36 Blandford St, Collaroy Plateau
  • Wheeler Heights Public School; 36 Veterans Pde, Wheeler Heights
  • Collaroy Plateau Public School; 41 Plateau Rd, Collaroy Plateau
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College (Cromer Campus); 120 South Creek Rd, Cromer
  • Cromer Public School; Carcoola Rd, Cromer
  • Dee Why Public School; Regent St, Dee Why
  • PCYC Northern Beaches; 40 Kingsway, Dee Why
  • Narraweena Public School; 78 McIntosh Rd, Narraweena
  • St John's Anglican Church; 87 Oaks Ave, Dee Why
  • St Kevins Church Hall; 57-59 Oaks Ave, Dee Why
  • Narraweena Community Centre; 74 Oceana St, Narraweena
  • Beacon Hill Public School; 6 Tristram Rd, Beacon Hill
  • Belrose Public School; 26 Ralston Ave, Belrose
  • Wakehurst Public School; 8 Glen St, Belrose
  • The Forest High School; 135 Frenchs Forest Rd W, Frenchs Forest
  • Frenchs Forest Public School; 10 Ann St, Frenchs Forest
  • Mimosa Public School; 1 Mimosa St, Frenchs Forest
  • Kambora Public School; 37 Woolrych Cres, Davidson
  • Forestville Public School; 7 Melwood Ave, Forestville