Your age and experience in politics?
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“I am 41 years of age and am looking forward to having the opportunity to represent the New England electorate in the Federal Parliament.
“I'm studying a post graduate course in political policy.”
What is your heritage and citizenship status?
“I’m 100 per cent Aussie.
“I’m not and never have been a citizen of any country but Australia.
“The Labor Party has stringent processes for checking the eligibility of candidates.”
Why are you running?
“I am contesting the by election as the Labor candidate to give electors the opportunity to send a strong message to Malcolm Turnbull. The government is failing to deliver to New England and regional Australia generally.”
What are the top three issues the electorate is facing?
“Access to high quality and affordable health care; proper funding for our schools, which are among the most disadvantaged in the country; and the restoration of penalty rates for workers.”
The government is failing to deliver to New England and regional Australia generally.
- David Ewings on why he is running.
Why should people vote for you?
“As someone who lives locally in Scone, has served in the Royal Australian Air Force and worked in the coal and steel industries, I know what it takes to represent our community. I will provide the communities of our region with a strong local voice in Canberra. This is in stark contrast to the Nationals who have taken our region for granted for far too long.”
Our survey has found renewable energy to be a big concern in the region, what are policies around renewable energy?
“Labor has a proud track record in supporting the development of the renewable energy sector. The New England has enormous renewable energy resources. The Government must stop putting in place obstacles to building capacity in the renewable energy sector. Our policy is to have 50% renewable energy by 2030 to facilitate energy transition and meet our international obligations to combat climate change under the Paris Agreement, as ratified by ex-Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.”
How do you propose to bring more jobs to the electorate?
“The development of a fast and reliable broadband network service would open the regions to new business opportunities and new jobs. The renewable energy sector also represents huge opportunities.”
What is your view of the NBN?
“The Government has bungled the NBN and is rolling out a second rate service that does not address business needs. It is not fit for purpose now and won't be in the future under its current format. We are years behind countries like New Zealand who implemented full ‘fibre to the premises’ and our tech entrepreneurs are struggling.”
Where do you stand on the balance between the region's mining and agriculture industries?
“Mining proposals - as with all development proposals - should be assessed on their merits based upon the best science available. They should be planned to present with the best possible balance between agriculture and other uses of land.”
