Federal Election Coverage
The Richmond Candidates
Meet the Richmond Candidates
 Julie Nathan, Independent
I am 43, the mother of four (one at home), live in Mullumbimby, and studying at university.
I have been involved in Aboriginal Reconciliation, multicultural education, and local issues. I resigned from the ALP in September over Sydney factional dealing in Richmond.
My guiding principles and values are social justice, democracy, egalitarianism.
I am standing for Richmond to offer an alternative voice in the political arena. The major parties, despite their rhetoric, are increasingly alienated from the people they purport to represent.
I am deeply committed, personally and ideologically, to: public education, public health, full employment, protecting and restoring the environment, improving family support services, retaining public assets, regulation of industry and financial institutions, fair trade not free trade, assisting small business and farmers, and services for regional communities.
Political decisions involve economic considerations. They must also involve social and environmental ramifications. Overall, we must adopt policies that will provide a decent and a fair future for all of us.
As an Independent, I am not bound by any party machine. I am free to fight for the issues that affect and concern us all. I am free to push for issues to be addressed that the community deems important.
 Larry Anthony, Nationals
I am sorry to keep going on about this, but with 13,000 vehicles a day, the citizens of Alstonville and Wollongbar need a bypass now.
The construction of the Alstonville bypass is a clear-cut responsibility of the NSW Labor Government, which recognises this fact since the bypass has sat unfunded on their books for years.
I have joined Alstonville citizens every time you have demonstrated against the NSW Government's failure to act, most recently at a huge rally last Wednesday and I have worked hard to convince NSW to fund our bypass.
I have talked my Nationals Leader and Transport Minister John Anderson into reclassifying this section of the Bruxner Highway a 'Road of National Importance', allowing us to provide NSW $12 million towards the cost.
However, we still need that much again from the State Government to get started. While the NSW Coalition Opposition has also promised to fund our bypass, the state election is not until March 2002. We cannot wait that long.
My other priorities are jobs, jobs and jobs. The Coalition's strong economic management, federal investment into our local economy and a strong focus on country Australia by the Nationals in Government have all led to falling local unemployment levels, but there is more work to be done. That is why I secured a $12 million jobs creation grant for the Northern Rivers, for more local jobs including, hopefully, in Booyong.
Support me on Saturday so we can get our bypass built and save some lives.
 John Penhaligon, Independent
Whichever party you elect, Labor or Coalition, the few remaining publicly owned assets: Telstra, Electricity dams, sewage and water supply systems - will be sold off - without our permission.
Are you happy with our tax system when foreign-owned corporations earn more than 80% of Australia's taxable income and contribute 5% to the tax? That's why Australian companies go bankrupt because they can't compete. The Labor/ Nat/Lib/Democrat cartel of Globalists agree with it.
Your concerns are not being voiced in parliament by the party politicians? They tell you what the party has decided. The party we vote for, once in power submits to market and corporate demand, and once again we become disillusioned.
All parties are taking us on the globalist path and we're told it's good for us! Why are so many suffering: 50,000 less jobs in Australia in the last month alone?
We can't have a thriving society based on policies driven only by the market economy, for the benefit of transnational corporations without a social conscience.
An independent member is able to vote with your instructions without party constraint. The big parties signed 2000 treaties without your knowledge or consent, effecting future generations of Australia.
I am not alone, there's a new generation of Independents, a new force, who understand the problems. I will represent you rather than being told what to do by the party system.
It's not too late to save what's left. You need my voice in Canberra.
 Jenny McAllister, Country Labor
This election will come down to a choice between Labor, which has a plan for an Australia where everyone gets their fair share and the Liberal/National Coalition which has forgotten about areas like the North Coast.
Labor will rebuild our health, education and aged care systems, take the GST off some essential items, keep Telstra in public hands and work with our neighbours to tackle people smuggling in our region.
These are issues that affect all of us, but a local member's role is also about tackling the unique problems facing individual communities.
For five years the Alstonville by-pass has not been considered a Road of National Importance by the National Party. I know it is a priority for the area and as your local representative I will fight tooth and nail to get it underway.
Our unique and beautiful environment means that people both young and old want to come and live here. This puts pressure on our already strained services. Nowhere is this strain more obvious than in our capacity to care for our elderly. Labor will solve the aged care crisis with a $200 million funding in the next six months.
We will also end the current Government's 'hands off' approach to unemployment on the North Coast by committing $50 million to help create the jobs our area so desperately needs.
The National Party have forgotten about us for too long. We need a local member who will fight for our interests.
Nicolas deBray Faulkner, Independent
Did not supply profile.
 Jan Barham, Greens
Byron Shire Councillor Jan Barham has had 10 years' political experience in this area and family connections going back over 100 years.
For 10 years Jan worked in the clothing industry in Sydney, which provided a broad skills base from design to management. Currently she is a political adviser and researcher to Ian Cohen, MLC for the NSW Parliament, focusing on North Coast issues. Jan's long involvement with local community organisations has provided experience in research, media, committees, court and legal issues.
In State Parliament she has been involved in legislation assessment, committee and inquiry work, parliamentary processes and media.
As a Byron Shire Councillor, Jan has been a committed community representative. Over the last seven years she has been active in the reconciliation movement and has been on the Cape Byron Consultative Committee, is a member of the Cape Byron Trust Board and the Council representative on the Arakwal National Park Advisory Committee. Jan has been a committed participant in the management of the New Years Eve event in Byron Bay and was chair of the organising committee last year.
She is a keen gardener, bush regenerator, clothing designer, basket weaver and cook.
 Alexander Peniazev, Non Custodial Parents Party
The Non-Custodial Parents Party [NCP] was formed in 1998. For 2001 Federal Elections six candidates are contesting marginal seats in House of Representatives. Two candidates are contesting seats in Senate. NCP is a single issue party deducated to equal parenting concept for split families and have no funding from any source but own pocket.
Divorce and separation are growing at alarming rates, creating more and more victims and puting pressure on taxpayer purse.
We stand for equal parenting i.e. 50/50 of parenting time and 50/50 of ongoing financial support to children after separation. Division of matrimonial property to be 50/50 of assets acquired during marriage/relationship.
Both separated parents should be self-sufficient and shall not rely on welfare. Child support should be a child support and not a collection of revenue to the government in addition to income tax and GST. We are opposing current practices of oppression of productive parents to support bureaucrats and professional welfare recipients.
Three men over age of 25 commit suicide each day in Australia! Adult suicide and murders of innocent children are suspiciously linked to denied contact/residence with children and to draconian practices by C$A. We shall take action to stop such loss of life.
Vote 1 for future of our children, grandchildren and for responsible and meaningfull life for both parents after separation. Help us to deliver your voice in the Parliament. Two Major Parties are busy with other issues. Vote 1 in the Senate Long White Paper Group O.
 Casey Balk, Democrats
The Democrats are the original and best green party in Australian politics.
I have spent years campaigning with the Rainforest Information Centre (RIC), anti nuclear groups and national conservation groups.
The Democrats believe education is one of the best safeguards against unemployment.
It is outrageous that the Coalition and Labor are now giving $3.6 billion a year to private schools and suffering public schools get $2 billion. This is despite the fact 65% of students go to public schools.
The two old parties have sold out public schools and I believe that people are beginning to realise that the Democrats are the Public Education Party.
The Democrats believe Unemployment is the biggest social issue facing Australian society, and we are not prepared to sit back and just let the lives and potential of 617,000 Australians be wasted.
We have proposed the 'Fair Hours Fund', where funds would be made available to firms that move within a 12 month period, to adopt agreements that can overtime reduce the length of the working week to an average of 38 hours a week and create 80,000 new jobs.
Even on conservative employment and tax assumptions we could take unemployment well below 4.8%. It would cost $244 million and for those who say we can not afford it, taxpayers will not be paying the dole to 80,000 unemployed workers (plus their spouses and dependants) and you will be creating 80,000 new taxpayers, who will contribute to the tax revenue once they are employed.
 Dean Jefferys, HEMP Party
Humanity will look back at this stage in history like we look back at the witch hunt days of the dark ages and wonder why so much energy, money and human resources went into trying to get people to stop using plants and herbs. They burnt millions of witches trying to implement their control in those days. Now millions of people around the world waste away in prisons due to the War on Drugs and non violent crimes of ingesting or smoking a plant.'
Indigenous people have used these teacher plants for thousands of years for healing and in their spiritual practices.
Now days the biggest drug danger facing our community is from the legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco. 20,000 people die from using tobacco every year and 4,000 die from alcohol and marijuana and the hallucinogenic plants none that I'm aware of.
I'd like to:
- Stop the harassment of people who have decided to use marijuana and other hallucinogenic plants.
- Educate the community about the indigenous use of certain teacher plant and the associated dangers and to legalise the ritualistic use of these plants.
- To re-legalise cannabis for personal, medical and industrial uses which includes growing a few personal plants.
- To release all imprisoned for cannabis and evaluate all other drug conviction.
I believe it's important for people to have the opportunity to register their objection to the unjust, unworkable and futile drug war laws.
Vote one Dean Jefferys of the HEMP Party.
Dell Rolfe, One Nation
Resident of Potsville for 20 years.
Our new tax system will mean that there will be enough money for all our policies. Everyone will pay their fair share of tax, even the multinationals. No more need for tax avoidance
Please check our website www.onenation.com.au
One Nation believes in Fair Trade, not Free Trade
Education: Readopt the three Rs, plus the 4th and 5th (Respect and Responsibility).
Health: More hospital beds and nursing staff, retaining public holidays in regional towns. Commonwealth Dental Health Scheme to be restored and upgraded for all low income earners and pensioners.
Carers: To be able to work up to 20hrs a week before affecting pensions
Crime: Truth in sentencing. Where 10 years means 10 years. The right to defend ourselves in our own homes.
Employment: Young Apprentices Revival Schemes (YARS). Government to pay 80% in the first year, 60% second year, 40% third year.
Small Business: To oppose economic rationalism and globalisation. Unfair dismissal laws to be changed.
Foreign Aid: Reduce foreign aid ($2.75 billion this year) and direct to Australians. Where there is need for aid on humanitarian grounds we will send food or product in kind thereby ensuring workers and primary producers are directly involved in the process.
Tax: Transnationals to pay tax on par with Australian owned companies. (it is estimated between $400 billon and $650billon leaves Australia each year untaxed).
Child Support: Based on after tax income. Maintenance free payments to account for access rights for non-custodial parents.
Super: funds to be invested in Australian Infrastructure.
Say No to GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services)
Save our Vanishing Democracy.
Rob Simpson, Independent
Did not supply candidate profile.
Where to Vote in Richmond
The following polling booths in the Richmond electorate will be open from 8am to 6pm this Saturday:
Alstonville High School, Bangalow Public School, Byron Bay Public School, Byron Bay High School, Coorabell Public School, Crystal Creek Public School, Eureka Public School, Ewingsdale Hall, Federal Hall, Fernleigh Public School, Goonengerry Public School, Kunghur Hall, Lennox Head Public School, McLeans Ridges Hall, Main Arm Upper Public School, Mullumbimby Civic Centre, Ocean Shores Community Centre, Rous Public School, Sydney Town Hall, Tintenbar Public School, Tyalgum Public School, Uki Public School, Wilson's Creek Hall, Wollongbar Public School
Pre-poll Voting
If you're going to be unable to vote this Saturday, then have your say by posting a pre-poll vote today or Friday.
Australian Electoral Commission employees will be on hand to take your vote at pre-polling booths at 149 Keen Street, Lismore; 39 River Street Ballina; and Casino High School.
The pre-polling offices will be open from 9am until 5pm today and Friday. You can attend a pre-polling office outside your electorate.
Alternately mobile polling can be arranged before or on election day for people in hospitals, nursing homes or for residents of remote areas by contacting the AEC on 13 23 26 or visit www.aec.gov.au
|
