Your age and experience in politics?
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“I am 46 years old and married with four children and have worked in agri-political roles for more than a decade including as the Chairman of the national grains industry Representative Organisation, Grain Producers Australia.”
What is your heritage and citizenship status?
“My parents were Australian and met and married in Armidale. I am an Australian citizen only.”
Why are you running?
“Politics works best through genuine political competition. Safe seats rarely get good political service when held by a major party. I would like to provide a safe, credible, conservative candidate for voters to again exercise their political courage and leverage better political outcomes.”
What are the top three issues the electorate is facing?
“People raise a range of issues including variations on health, education and infrastructure. However, all of the issues I hear ultimately stem from poor political advocacy unwilling or unable to leverage the balance of power for the electorate, which is exacerbated by the safe political status of the electorate.”
All of the issues I hear ultimately stem from poor political advocacy unwilling or unable to leverage the balance of power for the electorate, which is exacerbated by the safe political status of the electorate.
- Peter Maillher on why people should vote for him.
Why should people vote for you?
“I have spent several years in advocacy roles and spent a considerable amount of time wearing out the corridors of Parliament House. There I learned what makes a good politician and what does not. I am committed to better political outcomes and I know how to get them for this electorate.”
Our survey has found renewable energy to be a big concern in the region, what are policies around renewable energy?
“Renewables must and will form an increasing proportion of our energy matrix. New England has a terrific opportunity to be at the forefront of this to bring down energy costs and create new industrial opportunities. I will facilitate a coordinated approach between all three levels of Government and the private sector to streamline and integrate public and private sector processes, efforts and investment to bring down risk and cost.”
How do you propose to bring more jobs to the electorate?
“We will look to new and emerging industries to foster locally including renewables and medicinal cannabis as prime examples. This strategy is about creating new jobs.
“We will look to reinforce the role and opportunity for small business as the largest employer sector. We will increase employment opportunities in the electorate if a higher proportion of small businesses can increase their labour utilisation. This can be done with improved operating conditions for small business to better compete. This strategy is about optimising the opportunity for increased rates of employment in existing sectors.”
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What is your view of the NBN?
“While the debate focusses on NBN, it is but one part of telecommunications issues across the electorate. The internet capacity, or lack thereof, across the electorate is a major threat to industry, education and health services that will undermine our socioeconomic competitiveness. Regional Australia is increasingly reliant on reliable high-speed internet speed across all business sectors. I am not an expect in the tech side of the debate, but I understand fully how important it is for the electorate to have the necessary infrastructure in place and functioning affordably right now.”
Where do you stand on the balance between the region's mining and agriculture industries?
“Mining and agriculture are both legitimate industries and we have resources for both in and around the New England. However, agriculture must be given precedence when the two industries are competing for the same landscape.
“Agricultural land is a perpetual asset of the nation and we have a responsibility to pass it on to the next and future generations as good as if not better than we found it.
“Mining is a finite industry with a demonstrable record of severe negative impacts on groundwater and agricultural landscapes. Mines must operate with a guarantee of “no harm” to agricultural land and water to proceed.
“Historically mining has been given precedence and has not had to comply with the same environmental compliance as agriculture. This must stop. The same rules must be applied to all industries competing for access to our agricultural landscapes.”
