The Newcastle Herald invited all the region’s federal election hopefuls to introduce themselves, explain why voters should choose them and outline their positions on three key issues in their own words.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
See their responses in ballot order below, or browse the region’s other seats as details are published.
Ruth Rogers
Age: No response.
Party: No response.
Biography: No response.
Why voters should choose you: No response.
Your stance on Republicanism: No response.
Your stance on same sex marriage: No response.
Your stance on the environment: No response.
John Harvey
Age: No response.
Party: No response.
Biography: No response.
Why voters should choose you: No response.
Your stance on Republicanism: No response.
Your stance on same sex marriage: No response.
Your stance on the environment: No response.
Joel Fitzgibbon
Age: 54
Party: Labor
Biography: Joel Fitzgibbon MP was first elected to the House of Representatives in March of 1996. He has held a number of shadow ministerial positions and in Government served as both Minister for Defence and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He also served as Chief Government Whip. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs. Mr Fitzgibbon lives in Cessnock with his wife Dianne. They have three adult children. He says his priorities at this election are health and Medicare, education, cost of living, jobs and job security.
Why voters should choose you: At this election voters have a clear choice - Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to provide tax cuts for big business while at the same time cutting spending in health and education, or Labor’s plan to invest in our people and our future.
Labor has an orderly plan back to a Budget surplus which will also allow us to invest in our people and productivity by fully funding the Gonski School reforms, improving our childcare system, and building the NBN service our communities and businesses deserve.
And Labor will protect Medicare and reverse Malcolm Turnbull’s health care cuts. Our health and aged care systems should be the last port of call for a Prime Minister looking to pay for tax cuts for big corporations.
On July 2 I’m seeking the opportunity to continue my work. Despite the mining down-turn our regional economy remains in pretty good shape. But we need to continue to build on our economic diversity, find new employment pathways for those looking for new work, and do everything we can to ensure that our young people have the opportunity to work, raise a family here and to access the housing market.
These are my commitments
Your stance on Republicanism: Anyone who like me, has attended Head-of-State dinners and witnessed a visiting Head of State propose a toast to the Queen would surely agree with me that it’s time to make the change.
Your stance on same sex marriage: I will vote for Marriage Equality
Your stance on the environment: Our natural environment is our most precious resource and we must protect it. It would be foolish of us to ignore changing weather patterns including more regular and longer drought events.
Arjay Martin
Age: 32
Party: Independent
Biography: Arjay grew up in the Hunter Valley, from Baerami and Muswellbrook to Wyee. He has been in a number of elections, always as an Independent, in order to get things done. Through his media coverage at election time, he has forced the Cameron Park Roundabout to be finally built (although the design isn't great and he preferred traffic lights) and Lake Macquarie City Council to get rate rise than they voted for, via popular opposition to the 90% and 70% Rate Rises for Business and Residents respectfully. The council won't be having a 'Buy Nothing New Month' again anytime soon.
Why voters should choose you: People should look up the websites of each Candidate and decide who would be best to represent them, then preference the Candidates in that order. I am a Constitutionalist; Government is to follow the law put in place to limit their absolute interference in people's private lives.
Two of the Candidates are prohibited by the Constitution from even being Candidates, and if either win there will be a High Court Challenge which ought to result in a By Election and penalties for those who made Declarations that they are Constitutionally Qualified. The reason is that they are sitting Councillors, who therefore hold Offices of Profit under the Crown. They are paid Income Taxable 'fees' for their service, in addition to their 'Allowances'.
Another Candidate has ruled the area for 20 Years, as the incumbent, after 12 years of his father (who was a nice fellow) being in power. As the Seat is Safe Labor, neither Labor nor the Coalition have incentive to allocate appropriate funding for the area as it is seen that it will always be Labor, no matter what. This time was scandal filled, don't forget.
Upgrade who you choose to Represent you, no matter your 'social status'.
Your stance on Republicanism: The real question for the 'Republican Referendum' was to replace the Preamble/Covering Clauses of our Constitution. There are reasons for this, including the removal of references to God, the binding nature of the Constitution, that it succeeds the current monarch, and that Australia is a Self-Governing Colony.We are a Constitutional Monarchy, the Monarch should appoint their own representative. Should the Monarch turn tyrannical, then I'll look at alternatives, until then we have many protections via the Monarchy; even if we've forgotten about the Reception of English Law, Bill of Rights and Magna Carta. We should be closer to Britain.
Your stance on same sex marriage: That is not for me to decide, we should have a referendum for the matter, and for many more. I support Citizen Initiated Referenda, which we should have a bunch of questions put to us each year. If someone gets enough supporters (whatever that number may be, maybe 10000, maybe more/less) then it should be debated in Parliament, if it receives a higher number (maybe 50000 maybe more) then it should go to the next referendum, and perhaps 1 is done per year. Both sides ('Yes' and 'no') fear losing, which is why they fear the citizens deciding the matter.
Your stance on the environment: We should look at doing more for the environment than just having the 'Climate Change' TM folks suck up all of the research budget. Although far away, we should remove the giant geyers of plastic whirling around our oceans (take the money out of Foreign Aid if need be, we shouldn't borrow money from overseas to donate overseas, then pay interest on it forever anyway). We should turn hydrocarbon based trash into oil/gas like was done early last Century, look at what Sweden does with their garbage (although we do not need heating to survive). Anti-Oceanic Seismic testing and CSG.
Peter Morris
Age: 63
Party: The Greens
Biography: I’m a retired TAFE teacher and have lived in the Lower Hunter for most of my life. I have worked for many years on protection of bushland and I’ve expanded my interest to social justice and a “fair go.” I helped conserve bushland around Lake Macquarie, particularly the State Conservation Area and Green Point Foreshore Reserve. I also helped in successful campaigns against open cut and auger mining near houses at Awaba, Cooranbong and Blackalls Park. I believe in protecting our assets against short-term exploitation with the profits going overseas. I want to see new jobs in clean renewable energy.
Why voters should choose you: The Greens put principle over politics. We do not accept corporate donations and are not beholden to industries such as mining, property development, alcohol and gambling. We have the best policy on climate change, with an achievable plan for 90% renewable energy by 2030. We have consistently pushed for a diversified economy in the Hunter with clean sustainable industries to provide employment as coal mining sheds jobs. The Greens believe your health shouldn’t be determined by your bank balance.We want the return of the $57 billion stripped from the health budget and we want Medicare to remain public, with no co-payment for doctor’s visits. The Australian Greens Denticare plan will invest $6.6 billion in essential dental care to millions of Australians. We want a return to free universities and TAFE to be reinstated as the provider of quality vocational education. We are committed to the full implementation of the Gonski recommendations for our schools, including $4.5 billion over the final two years. We oppose cuts to company tax because this income is an essential part of the budget. We support a Royal Commission into banks and increased penalties for white-collar crime. We support more humane treatment and processing of refugees.
Your stance on Republicanism: The Greens strongly support a republic and continue to work towards this goal. I support this view and I'm a member of the Australian Republican Movement.
Your stance on same sex marriage: The Greens strongly support same sex marriage and have actively campaigned for marriage equality. I support this view.
Your stance on the environment: The Greens party was launched over an environmental issue and we have led many environmental campaigns both within and outline Parliament. Despite our comprehensive suite of other policies, The Greens are still regarded as the party for environmentalists. We continue to campaign on climate change, lean air and water, and on protection of flora, fauna and habitat. I have a long history of environmental campaigning with some notable successes.
Richard Stretton
Age: 49
Party: Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
Biography: My name is Richard Stretton and I am the endorsed candidate for the Christian Democratic Party in this electorate of Hunter.
I have lived in Singleton for the past 20 years and have raised my family of 1 wife and 2 children here.
I own and operate an onsite mechanical maintenance business called Access Field Maintenance which services mining and agricultural customers in the area.
I am here to offer a truly conservative voting option that I believe is no longer available with any of the major parties.
God bless Australia.
Why voters should choose you: As I talk to members of the community I consistently hear that people are not happy with any of the major parties. I hear that most people feel that we are losing our Ozzy values. I hear that they feel angry that our land and assets are being sold off to foreign interests. I hear disappointment that our families are falling apart around us.
I believe that the Christian Democratic Party not only addresses all of these critical issues with good policy but also has a proven track record of responsible government in the NSW senate for the last 35 years.
I believe that the answer lies in removing all of the major parties from power and replacing them with a multiple of smaller parties like the CDP.
I believe that all of the Hunter electorate has to stop focusing our manufacturing industries solely on mining and attract other heavy manufacturing contracts for things such as trains and military. Of course to do that we need a federal government that intends to keep such manufacturing in Australia which neither of the major parties intend to do and have proven time and time again in the past. VOTE 1 CDP
Your stance on Republicanism: I believe that the system that we have has served us well and that we have far greater issue to focus on than a republic. So for now at least I do not support a change.
Your stance on same sex marriage: I support traditional marriage as the best environment in which to raise the next generation and indeed the only one that can produce the next generation. As the best option for the future of our nation I support marriage between a man and a woman only.
Your stance on the environment: We have a God given duty to protect and enhance our environment. I fully support CDP policy in that we support responsible mining on marginal land but prime agricultural land should be reserved solely for agriculture.
John Warham
Age: 55
Party: Independent
Biography: Born Newcastle, raised Tighes Hill and Lambton, live in Lake Macquarie City with wife and three children. Schooled - Newcastle Boys High. Worked Heavy Industry 3 yrs. Worked with homeless youth 6 yrs. Ran importing business and a retail business for 6yrs. Uniting Minister at Charlestown, Garden Suburb, Whitebridge for 5 yrs. Chaplain - John Hunter Hospital 5 yrs. Minister Merewether 10 yrs. Business owner in property services 3 years. 4 degrees, Pyschology, Theology, Master of Arts Ancient History, Grad Dip Ed. Casual School Teacher. Hunter New England Research Ethics Committee for 10 yrs reviewing medical research. I've been busy.
Why voters should choose you: I'm a non-aligned independent, having never been a member of any political party. I owe allegiance only to the electorate and I am a capable promoter of community concerns with a track record of getting things done.
I am community minded, having established a Community Kitchen at Merewether, several Play Groups, a bereavement support group, a food recovery programme with several local businesses and more over the years.
I have a deep understanding of what makes the Hunter tick, having met thousands of people from all over the Hunter in my role as a Chaplain at the John Hunter Hospital and in my role as a Church leader.
As for the motivators that drive my candidature for the Seat of the Hunter,
I have been frustrated by many examples of National and State level politics where the Hunter misses out. I am tired of billions spent in capital cities while regions are put on hold. I see schools with demountable buildings that leak; poor road infrastructure; l see lack of expenditure on major transport interchanges and no vision for our part of the world.
I have developed policy to address these issues and want your vote to make a difference.
Your stance on Republicanism: I would like to see a referendum on this issue.
Your stance on same sex marriage: I would support a plebiscite on this issue as I expect most Australians would like to resolve this issue in as democratic a way as possible; however I would not look forward to the various campaigns associated with such a plebiscite, as the arguments for and against could become quite divisive.
Your stance on the environment: I am with the scientists as far as climate change goes. I have personally observed significant change in our prevailing weather patterns in the Hunter over the years and I think we need a better focus on sustainability going forward.
Cordelia Troy
Age: No response.
Party: Independent
Biography: Without strong independent representation holding government to account there's a repeat of the bulldozing, arrogance and disregard I've seen in partisan councils.
We need a loud voice in parliament, someone strong enough to speak on behalf of our communities.
People in long term, comfortable power, get tired and complacent. Marginal seats get more attention, that's a simple fact.
You can find what I think about many issues, on Facebook - Cordelia Troy.
Why voters should choose you: I have 8 years experience as a city Councillor. As an Independent candidate I can promise to speak on behalf of my community and to advocate freely for us all.
I know how to. I've always done that. Returning to the grassroots needs of our community with clear vision and practicality, enthusiasm and ability to identify and solve problems. I am not afraid to speak up.
You can find what I think about many issues, on Facebook - Cordelia Troy. Some things I'm in favour of: Marriage Equality. No plebiscite - $160m waste. Euthanasia. Women's self determination - abortion. Practical youth skills training in schools. Wage/gender equality. Negative gearing as it stands. Sensible drug reform. Community advocacy. No preference deals in voting. Term limits for politicians. No lifetime pensions for politicians. Electoral reform. Less Bureaucracy. More practical, efficient solutions. Practical solutions regarding Bats/Flying Fox colonies in the Hunter. Foreign leasing of lands for economic use/ Australian ownership. Life skills in schools - how rent a house, how to maintain good credit rating, how to budget, how to vote. National youth driver training in schools. Streamline health and disability to support carers. No live animal exports. Process here before exporting.
Your stance on Republicanism: In light of Brexit, I believe the issue of a Republic will be raised in the near future. Like the recent English referendum, this is an issue which would determine the direction of our country in a very significant way. Referendum at the same time as a general election would be a cost efficient way to allow our country to decide. If there is to be any binding referendum, it should include real questions like 'should politicians have term limits?' 'should we pay retiring MP's a pension for life?' Maybe there would be more enthusiasm and reform that way.
Your stance on same sex marriage: If I am granted the privilege of office. I would absolutely raise my hand in favour. I believe someone else's loving marriage can only impact society in a positive way. What anyone else does in a consenting and loving relationship is not my business, nor should it be the business of parliament. For many simple reasons, marriage equality is important for our community, for our social well being and for our economy, it should be passed at the earliest opportunity.
Our elected representatives should not propose a $160 million dollar plebiscite, MP's were elected to vote, just do it.
Your stance on the environment: In all things there needs to be balance. We need food and resources security. For a stronger economy I believe Australia is best served by lease agreements with foreign investors, therefore an immediate restriction on foreign ownership of lands. Land use and sustainability is our future, a bipartisan agreement including land, water and sea regarding environmental management and impact is essential..