RELATED COVERAGE: Introducing your federal election candidates
GIPPSLAND
Peter Gardner – Independent (Climate Emergency)
I have a detailed plan called the Latrobe Valley Plan 2013, which involves a replacement of fossil fuel generation in Australia over a period of 10 years with renewable energy sources. This is necessary because of the pressing problem of climate change. This will involve a regimented economy and full employment will be achieved – anyone who wants to work will be employed. For details see petergardner.info/publications/latrobe-valley-plan-2013
Peter Dorian – Rise Up Australia
We believe our policy on bringing back the tariffs on imported goods will regenerate local manufacturing and production in farming which will have a ripple-on effect.
Australia was built on the sheep’s back. We can get that sort of growth again in farming and manufacturing, only if we protect Australian business with tariffs on the imports.
We need to keep Australia debt free. It would be great if we could prevent the irresponsible politically parties who buy votes at the expense of our nation’s future. We will pay the price with loss of employment and services.
Scott Campbell-Smith – The Greens
The Latrobe Valley community deserve a just (low-carbon) transition: a good plan, financial and policy support.
RMIT’s recent report points to renewables and agriculture as major parts of the community’s future. These need infrastructure development, coordinated governance and training. Alternative industries also need to be attracted and established.
I do not believe that the Coalition have any interest in a just transition: they deny climate change, value economics over community and believe in a magic-market invisible-hand that fixes everything.
Our policies support a clean energy future and sustainable agriculture.
Jeff McNeill – Australian Labor Party
Through the Global Financial Crisis it was the Labor Government that stimulated local employment initiatives, such as the development of the Latrobe Hospital, the duplication of the Princes Highway and the building of new school infrastructure.
These real jobs kept Gippsland working. In the future I support the Latrobe Valley transition fund which will create new business opportunities, build the second stage of the Latrobe Hospital, the relocation of the RAAF Basic training school to Gippsland, to name a few, and the construction of Trade Training Schools to give our kids the right training to get the jobs.
These Trade Training Schools are even more important since the closing down of TAFE’s by the (State Government).
Darren Chester – The Nationals
My first priority is to protect the jobs we have in our traditional industries and that’s why I fought hard to protect the Latrobe Valley from Labor’s plan to shut down local power generators.
I’ve also been actively supporting the Australian Paper mill in its bid to promote a local purchasing policy.
If elected, I will continue to promote a ‘Putting Locals First’ campaign which is aimed at supporting local businesses in our region.
The best thing a Federal Government can do to restore business confidence is to provide stability, certainty and a balanced budget.
MCMILLAN
Matt Sherry – Palmer United Party
Reduce taxes – this will stimulate the economy across Australia and the Latrobe Valley.
Cut the second job tax. Cut Fringe Benefits Tax. This will encourage more spending and in turn will create more jobs. Reducing taxes will encourage more circulation of money. The more money is circulated the more times GST is paid and this generates a greater return for the government as well as greater prosperity for everyday Australians. After speaking to local businesses across the electorate, I have also personally written a submission to the executive of the party in relation to the needs of small business.
David Amor – Katter’s Australia Party
Jobs: we should build and own, not sell and sack. KAP is for jobs and growth, it is for government to buy and build in Australia.
Mark Guerin – Secular Party
While the Secular Party currently has no specific policy on employment growth I do not believe that any short term policy will generate sustained job growth and only far-sighted long term policies can achieve this such as investment in infrastructure and quality education.
Malcom McKelvie – The Greens
The Greens have a vision and a plan for a zero carbon pollution future for Australia which will mean electricity production from 100 per cent renewable sources like wind, solar and perhaps wave and geothermal power.
Our policies support a strong agricultural sector and the Gippsland region including the Latrobe Valley will be an important area for food production. We have strong policies for enhancing education, research and development to capitalise on our strengths of a smart, skilled population.
We have all the skills locally that would be needed in engineering and power management services, manufacturing of the huge volumes of infrastructure needed to build the renewable energy plants.
Anthony Naus – Australian Labor Party
Only the Labor Government will benefit workers in the Latrobe Valley. The Coalition will strip workers rights and not invest in clean energy technology. The Labor Government made the investment in the Moe Revitalisation Project and a Labor Government is committed to providing jobs for this community.
Leigh Gatt – Independent
I would support any idea that is going to bring permanent employment opportunities to this electorate. Tax breaks and other incentives would be needed to attract companies to set up in the area that would employ staff from this region. Local businesses would need extra support to expand and grow their operations. Again this could be tax breaks and incentives for them also.
Gary Patton – Senator Online
It is an historical fact that a decrease in consumer confidence translates into reduced spending, a reduction in business activity and profitability which then flows through to an increase in the unemployment rate.
This is precisely what has been happening over the last six years.
Senator Online and myself are fully aware that if people feel that the government is acting in their best interest that the confidence of the electorate increases, spending increases and all the subsequent benefits, including increased employment.
