{"id":9436,"date":"2013-08-31T12:18:33","date_gmt":"2013-08-31T02:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=9436"},"modified":"2022-05-02T00:36:05","modified_gmt":"2022-05-01T14:36:05","slug":"bennelong-candidates-forum-preciouspress-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/bennelong-candidates-forum-preciouspress-reports\/","title":{"rendered":"Bennelong candidates forum: @preciouspress reports"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG_0100\"<\/p>\n

By\u00a0Jack Sumner<\/a><\/p>\n

31 August 2013<\/p>\n

Seven of the eight candidates were on stage for a public forum organised by the Northern District Times this week. Missing was DLP candidate Lachlan McCaffrey, who plays rugby for Eastwood and was training in preparation for Shute Shield finals this weekend. His father Simon, the DLP Senate candidate, came of the bench to replace him. Each spoke for four minutes followed by 80 minutes of questions from the floor.<\/p>\n

The impressions and opinions given below are based on listening twice to each candidate\u2019s introductory presentation and their responses to questions.<\/p>\n

Lindsay Peters (Greens)<\/b> strongly advocated his party\u2019s policies on refugees, action on climate change, public education & public transport.<\/p>\n

Julie Worsley (Christian Democrats) <\/b>spoke of her party\u2019s support for a fair-minded, decent Australia based upon family and our Judaeo Christian heritage.<\/p>\n

Robert Marks (PUP)<\/b> made a confident presentation on tax cuts, a 20% increase in pensions, removal of the fringe benefit tax and onshore processing of asylum seekers. He said a vote for Labor or Liberal would only serve to re-elect the problems. It is remarkable that Palmer United could at such short notice from a field of seven nominees choose someone of Mark\u2019s academic, business and life experience. Palmer fields candidates in every electorate. If they are close to the calibre of Mr Marks, then watch out.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Simon McCaffrey (Democratic Labour Party) <\/b>is an obstetrician who joined the LDP because of its support for family,. He placed priority on lowering electricity prices by abolishing the carbon tax and green energy subsidies. He accepted the science of climate change but claimed Australia\u2019s small contribution to emissions made any move away from fossil fuels an act of economic stupidity. The DLP supported a generous paid parental leave scheme and had a commitment to the support of small business. In response to questions McCaffrey also expressed strong opinions against human rights violations in China, particularly in regard to farming of organs from political prisoners; and in support of high-speed to facilitate decentralisation.<\/p>\n

John August (Secular Party of Australia) <\/b>had platform based upon the removal of religious influence on public education, government and legal systems. Religions should not be exempt from anti-discrimination laws and were they to pay an appropriate level of taxation it would provide upwards of $31 billion to public revenue. His supported marriage equality and medically supervised euthanasia but opposed the current excessive level of middle class welfare.<\/p>\n

Victor Waterson (Australia First Party)<\/b> yearned for the days when Australia was self-sufficient and jobs easy to find. He quoted Alan Jones and Senator Heffernan in expressing concern about foreign ownership. Waterson was not looking forward to the Asian century, which he thought would not be \u201ctoo rosy for us Australians\u201d. Defence spending should be increased and the resultant strengthening would help stop the boats.<\/p>\n

These six candidates with widely differing policy platforms all spoke well and made excellent contributions to the debate. Naturally most of the attention and questions were directed at the two major contenders.<\/p>\n

John Alexander (Liberals)<\/b> in his introductory speech emphasised his long-standing connection to the area. He outlined his achievements over the past 3 years:<\/p>\n