• The cost of living is the number one pressure we’re hearing from the people of Bean - the cost of groceries, unaffordable housing and high power bills. 
• I will push the government to tackle the cost drivers - including corporate profits, the supermarket duopoly, and tax reform.
• As your Independent, I have no vested interests and can call for reform and fight for long-term, real solutions for us. 

The three main pillars of climate action are reducing emissions, caring for country, and caring for people: their jobs, health, and security.

Reducing emissions

• Electrifying Bean.  Canberra leads the nation in roof solar and electric cars, but they are still out of reach for many. By electrifying Bean we can ease the cost of living and take meaningful climate action. 
• No new gas and coal. We need to take advantage of our space, sun and wind. There is money to be made and we should be making it. We need a solid and practical plan to transition to renewables that maximises the economic opportunities.
• No nuclear. The science states nuclear is too expensive, unsafe and will generate huge amounts of CO2 emissions. Current nuclear proposals are not viable. 
• We need integrity in carbon accounting: it’s an own goal to fudge the numbers on emissions. We need genuine reductions. 

Caring for people

• Increase the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax and resource royalties in line with other OECD nations, to fairly fund Australian health, education and investment. We want Australian resources to pay for Australian services,  investment in renewables, workforce transition, climate adaptation, disaster relief and preparedness.
• I will call for a national transition plan to assist  workers reskill for renewable industries, and support communities facing economic and social disruption.
• Health and wellbeing. We need to develop a national strategy to deal with climate-related health impacts such as heat stress, tropical diseases, storm asthma, and mental health. 

Caring for country

• Disaster preparedness. Bean residents are far too familiar with the impacts of fire and flood. We need to ensure our community is prepared for the next natural disaster, including more support for emergency workers and volunteers, and grassroots infrastructure for community fire preparedness.
• Protecting the environment. I will back Federal legislation that supports our natural environment and biodiversity, and push for the establishment of a properly funded Environmental Protection Agency. We value our natural environment including local camping, swimming and fishing spots and recognise the great work done by our Landcare volunteers. We want our kids to keep enjoying our bush into the future.

• We need a massive reset on housing. Housing is viewed primarily as an investment, but it should first be a human right.
• We need to transition to solutions that are fair to everyone. I will call for a new national housing accord that looks at every mechanism available, not only supply, including tax reform, for a staged approach towards affordable housing. This is an everything-on-the-table approach.  It needs to include a wider range of housing options, consideration for domestic violence support and homelessness, mechanisms for bringing down the cost of construction, construction industry educaiton pathways,   and by and looking at all tax levers. This new accord would need to balance each of these considerations and plan for the necessary changes carefully over time to respect people’s investments and the various needs across generations. We must fix housing affordability.

• For too long, Bean has missed out on investment in social, cultural and sporting facilities. As your community-backed Independent, I will: 
• Work closely with the ACT government to get our fair share of Federal infrastructure funding available for cultural, sporting and recreational facilities for the South side.
• Bean needs better NBN infrastructure. We have world-class businesses that need world-class internet. I will lobby for better telecommunications infrastructure to support the educational and commercial goals of Bean.  

As your Independent representative, I will act with integrity and transparency at all times, and I answer only to you, the people of Bean. I will push for:

• Increased protections for whistleblowers
• Laws to combat misinformation and require truth in political advertising.
• Review and amend legislation to address political funding to prevent undue influence and genuinely strengthen democracy.
• Reforms to the National Anti-Corruption Commission by increasing transparency of operations, including public hearings.
• Realtime reporting of all political donations, and any donation of any kind over $1000. No more unseen $10,000 dinner tickets to buy influence.
• Timely publication of politician’s and Chiefs of Staff diaries.
• Making the public service strong and independent. We need to protect public service jobs while ensuring we get value for money. 
• Valuing our public service for the challenging and hard work they do for our community.
• Work to strengthen regulators across the spectrum of government services including the NDIS, Aged Care and Early Childhood Education.

• By taxing our natural resources properly, we can afford to fund Medicare appropriately and better incentivise GP bulk-billing. We can increase funding for chronic conditions, mental health and dental care.
• I will fight for access to the right services, at the right time, in the right place, for the people of Bean. This includes access to specialist care without driving interstate.
• We need to recognise the valuable work of health and aged care workers, and make sure their wages keep pace.
• I will work with Government to prioritise the quality and cost-effective care for our aged population in the best setting for them, whether that is their own home or residential care.
• I will call for full implementation and evaluation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, including sector regulation.
• I will push for quality standards and value for money in NDIS provision.

• We need to change the way HECS is indexed, overhaul the Jobs Ready Graduate Scheme, and raise the rate of Youth Allowance and support paid placements. 
• Our universities are in crisis. We need an urgent review of the funding and financial model of tertiary education in this country. 
• Through tax reform, including by taxing our natural resources properly, we can fully resource excellent education for our children.
• Recognise the valuable work of our teachers and educators, including early childhood educators, and make sure their wages keep pace.
• Call for increased funding to expand classroom support staff.
• Protecting choice in education while making sure no child is left behind.
• Advocate for tertiary courses, both vocational and academic, to be provided on the South side.

• Increase the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax and resource royalties in line with other OECD nations, to fairly fund Australian health, education, infrastructure and other investment.
• Crack down on corporations paying minimal tax while small business does it tough and income tax is proportionately high - require them to pay tax on the money they make in this country.
• Listen to the experts about meaningful tax reform in this country. The major parties continue to kick this can down the road; Independents can put it on the table.

• The ban on gambling advertising needs to be passed by Parliament as a matter of urgency.  Australians suffer the biggest gambling losses in the world – about $32 bn per year - and the ACT is at the top of the list.  Banning advertising is not banning placing a bet if that’s what you enjoy.  The ban aims to push back at the persistent online grooming of young people, and the danger of addiction that can ruin their lives and the lives of those around them.
• The hard work has been done through the Murphy Review and the Government had a Bill drafted.  Let’s get it back on the table and get this legislation passed!

Doing politics differently

• Doing politics differently means coming together to identify problems, seek out lived experience and expertise to craft solutions, and either write legislation to take before Parliament, or else use these solutions to strengthen legislation brought by the government.
• I will work collaboratively with all members of Parliament to achieve the best result for the people of Bean.
• My vote will be guided by the people of Bean. I will explain any influence or factors that impact my voting decisions.
• I will draw on the evidence, data, and science available from our expert institutions to inform evidence-based policy and my vote in Parliament on the issues that are important to our community.
• I will seek out your views in various ways, including surveys, town halls and mobile offices, throughout the term of the Parliament. I value diversity and want to hear all voices, including those who are often overlooked. We need to do this together to have strong representation. Community engagement doesn’t end with the election.

FAQ