Barwon Candidate: Jason Alan, Animal Justice Party

Profession outside of politics: I am in financial services.

Why are you running for the seat of Barwon? I was moved to stand as a candidate after seeing the footage of the mass fish slaughter in the Menindee Lakes. Although I live in the city, the land in Barwon has been through devastation and this affects all NSW residents who consume products from Barwon. As we haven't a local AJP candidate yet, it was important to stand at this election to send a sign to politicians that animal welfare is important.

Why should people vote for the party you stand for? We are the only party with a comprehensive animal welfare policies. Australians are compassionate and farmers love their animals. It is heartbreaking for all to see these animals suffer. The AJP has a long history of campaigning for animals on issues such as the banning of 1080 and Cage eggs, with transition packages needed to be offered to farmers affected by any changes. We have many policies for humans, on it's website. We are not a single issue party

What are the top three issues in the electorate? Fish are dying in our rivers due to water mismanagement. Politicians just argue instead of trying to find a consensus. There should be no expansion of gas, with current natural gas be phased out in favour of renewables. Fossil fuels will not be part of any final clean energy solution. It's pointless to develop, then replace it. Many countries use clean energy successfully. Animals struggle in this harsh land in the harshest of times. Kindness to animals is lost under this government. Animals need more shade and adequate access to water and food in fields and sale yards.

Why should people vote for you? Droughts are real and will get worse. Farmer suicide is high. Kangaroos and wildlife are dying on the side of the road. Nothing is being done to address this. We've a short-term help of grants etc but no real credible long-term plan. Is wet cotton farming, wet rice, some animal agriculture suitable for a tougher drought future, or should we be investing in to newer farming techniques or dry cotton, dry rice or hemp. Tough decisions, ones which not go away. This land our grand-kids will inherit. These industries have changed before many times. We need to discussion this now.

How do you propose to bring more jobs to the electorate? In the long term as industries need to change to a harsher climate, many new industries and farming technologies will come through. We should be investing in them now, getting on the front foot. We have a growing tourist industry, with many tourists wanting a real outback experience. We are culling our native wildlife when we could use local parks as wildlife parks or sanctuaries for Barwon to monetise from this tourism boom. We have the space and the wildlife. Government should help transition the land for this.

What do you feel is the biggest issue affecting people in Nyngan? Climate change is real. The Nationals are keen on Coal Seam gas as the way forward, which devastates the land and environment and river systems further. This together with water mismanagement is creating chaos and mass fish slaughter in our lakes. Climate change is accelerating. River systems are dying and deforestation is causing wildlife extinction. The AJP wants to work with farms to find solutions best for local people, animals and environment.

How do you propose to help with this should you be elected? A full animal welfare policy which looks at how animals are treated. There is no support to farmers to help protect animals and give them shade and access to food and water when in sale yards and fields in 40+ degree heat. The AJP will ensure kindness to animals is the priority and animal welfare is higher up the agenda than currently.

What is your favourite book/hobby/activity? I love spending time with animals. They don't judge and help relax me. There are many great animal sanctuaries around, which are also doing it tough in the drought. The innocence of animals help take the stress away.