LYONS (in ballot order)
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?ERIC HUTCHINSON (Liberal)
The people of Lyons have been taken for granted. Lyons has missed out for too long and now we have the highest unemployment in Tasmania. We have a jobs crisis and it is getting worse. Labor has kow-towed to the Greens, and business and consumer confidence is now at its lowest levels in recent history.
The Greens influence has helped Labor close the forest industry. Labor has now preferenced the Greens at this election and a vote for Labor is a vote for the Greens.
My vision for Tasmania is one with a vibrant timber industry, where we can be proud of our productive industries like agriculture aquaculture fishing and of course the small business sector. I have worked in rural and regional Tasmania much of my life and believe we can have growth and jobs and opportunities for young Tasmanians. With 1000 Tasmanians leaving the state every month it splits families and causes pain and suffering. I will stand up for families. We need a new beginning.
Our commitment to fixing mobile phone black spots and upgrade bridges as well as country roads will be of enormous benefit to regional communities which have been ignored for too long. From 2015, councils and community groups will be able to apply for grants between $20,000 and $10 million, to meet half the cost of community building projects. Disadvantaged regions with a higher than average unemployment rate will receive priority for funds. The $400 million upgrade of the Midland Highway will occur under the Liberals.
Regional Tasmanians need better health services a well resourced school system and police on the streets so Tasmanians stay safe and secure. This is not possible unless we build a strong and growing economy. The Liberals have a jobs and growth plan for Tasmania as opposed to malaise under a Labor/Green government.
?GAYE JAMES (Family First)?
While the debates and political rhetoric continues between the two major parties I have been talking to Tasmanians to see what is affecting the lives of everyday people.
Jobs come up as number 1. Tasmanian unemployment is currently 8.1 per cent and increasing.
Family First is committed to reducing taxes across the board and abolishing red tape, which will increase revenue and growth within businesses and companies. This will provide Tasmanians with jobs and the much needed infrastructure throughout the state.
This is followed by the cost of living pressures, as a direct result of rising utility prices impacting on all families throughout the state. Family First will push for better regulations on these services, which will deliver lower bills to households.
After speaking to many people throughout the Lyons electorate I found the stranglehold on funding for health services was also a major concern. The lack of funding commitment from the Commonwealth and the state for health services creates a fragile environment for both those working in the industry and recipients of the services. Without an ongoing funding commitment, organisations supporting struggling families, people with disabilities, aged care and mental health will always be uncertain. Family First wants to eliminate this uncertainty and ensure that these vital services have permanent funding commitments.
Concerns regarding high teenage pregnancies in Tasmania is also on Family First's radar. We would like to see expansion of socio emotional education in schools to enable our youth to grow vision and hope for their future. Families are the corner stone of a strong Tasmania. We believe that our future lies in establishing a better life for our children and future generations, and this can only be realised when families are stable, able and strong.
?QUENTIN VON STIEGLITZ (Palmer United Party)?
I am a family-focused individual with experience in business management, training and assessment, sports coaching and the security sector and committed to Australia and the Palmer United Party campaign.
We are focused on abolishing the carbon tax, producing mineral wealth and revising the refugee policy in order to make Australia stronger.
I champion my family and community involvement and I am concerned about living pressures and the need for stronger services in communities.
I care about the way Australia is heading, particularly Tasmania. The unemployment rate is unnecessarily high and the state government is close to bankruptcy, yet minority interest groups stifle any prospect of mining or timber projects that are suggested.
I want a future where my kids will have jobs, education opportunities and good health services.
Tasmania is a resource rich state, yet the reality is that wealth is being stalled by minority interest groups.
?PIP BRINKLOW (Australian Greens)?
As a former Director of Care I have spent the last 20 years developing and managing health, aged care, community services and vocational training programs in Tasmania resulting in the employment of hundreds of people throughout Lyons.
I am pro jobs, pro investment, pro consumer choice and competition, pro appropriate development and most importantly pro a positive future for our children. This why I support the Australians Greens recent launch of a range of small business initiatives that I will believe will help stimulate job creation, including the cutting of company tax for small businesses and the strengthening of competition legislation to prevent big business using their market power to gain an unfair advantage over small business.
Using my qualifications in business, I have played a leading role in working with organisations and communities to secure improved health and aged care services in the electorate. I am concerned that there has been so little focus on health in this election campaign. I believe that quality affordable health and dental care is the right of every Australian, wherever they live. This is why I support the Greens call for a reinvestment into Medicare to reduce the out of pocket expenses for patients and the inclusion of dental care under the Medicare scheme.
I firmly believe that it is possible to be competent and compassionate and that is why I am proud of the Greens' call for an increase in the Newstart allowance, a reversal of recent changes to the sole parent allowance, our policy on live animal exports and our call for a more humane and economically sound asylum seeker solution.
What Lyons needs in a representative is someone that has a proven record of rolling up her sleeves and working with the communities to build a positive future.
?JULIAN ROGERS? (Rise Up Australia Party)?
I am a devoted father of four and carpenter by trade. I have been inspired to explore the realm of politics because as a country, and as individuals, we are responsible for our destiny. I am unhappy with a range of decisions being imposed on Tasmania by government. Decisions that threaten to undermine our livelihood, industry and freedom of speech. Therefore I am compelled to act.
My determination is to change the following in line with our 26 party policies;
?ththe ridiculous tariffs placed on our critical primary industries and exporters (the real wealth builders)
?ththe cheap imports of fruit and vegetables. Current policies force our farmers to meet crippling OH&S and environmental requirements. This makes it almost impossible for them to compete with countries who employ cheap labour to produce their crops.
?*the illogical decisions with excessive tariffs on industry
?*anything other than One Mum and One Dad for our children
?*political correctness that erodes freedom of speech
?ththe rights of the unborn child
?thensure the common good of the majority is prioritised over the rights of extremist groups
My vision for the electorate is to see this once thriving island state of Tasmania rebuilt with a strong produce and export industry base.
I don't come with manipulative visions and promises of feel good band-aid solutions, what I come with is a sober look at what we have with aspirations for a strong future with no debt.
I'm excited Rise Up Australia has all the ingredients for economic and social advancement outlined in 26 brilliantly designed policies.
If our Diggers paid the ultimate price of their lives for this country's freedom, I am compelled to stand and do everything humanly possible to give my all for Queen, Country and Creator.
?DICK ADAMS (Australian Labor Party)?
I am proud that over the last six years more than $1 billion dollars has come into Lyons from the federal government.
These resources have helped us weather the global financial crisis. It kept us from recession, supported organisations and individuals, helped the struggling in the down turn, and sustained many businesses through hard times.
Lyons is a big electorate. When I am negotiating for long term jobs and future economic activity, I have to look at the big picture. I have lobbied to make sure that available funds are used strategically; used where they would achieve the best results over the long term.
We have so many opportunities. With careful planning and community assistance we will keep this island working and growing.
Regional development funds, which the Liberals want to cut, are vital to help the transition of our economy. We need to move from merely resource based to value added. Most of our rural products including timber, fish, vegetables, meat, poppies are much more valuable if value added locally.
The forest wars are over. The industry can get going again and regain markets.
It has been important that money is used flexibly to create new jobs and additional work. Not all enterprises can do that. Some groups have previously received federal money; others can be funded under other schemes. It was important to see current funds targeted to expanding businesses to create the most jobs.
Making a difference is my goal. I have been available to the community to launch ideas, communicate through newsletters, encourage community development and facilitate opportunities.
I have helped many people, families and groups as well as thousands of individual constituents with their problems.
I have the experience. I have the determination to continue my work for Lyons. I ask for your support to continue as your local member.