RAY KROEZE (Australian Christians)?

We are tremendously blessed with arguably the most scenic and attractive state in Australia. Tasmania's niche quality products and services have certainly placed us on the map from a national and international tourism perspective.

I would like to encourage growth in the positives that we have. These include, but are not limited to, our world-class export of agricultural products, significant tourist attractions, not to mention the respect Tasmania has worldwide for our delectable gourmet food products and our award winning wine industry.

However, with the positives there are also negatives, room for improvement and the need for significant growth. Small businesses continue to suffer, our building and education sectors need continued boosting of funds.

Health, nursing, and palliative care also need our full support. Adequate housing remains an ongoing issue for those that are less privileged.

National and international freight remains a concern and must be addressed with a positive solution which will improve the way our businesses connect with our consumers.

Representing Australian Christians and looking at issues from a Biblical perspective, I would like to promote strong family values and encourage unity in husband and wife relationships.

I will offer full support to faith based schooling. Fostering positive parent and child relationships with educational support will reap benefits for our future generations.

I will stand up for the rights of the unborn child and support the current definition of marriage.

Australian Christians will provide consistent, stable and honest leadership and offer moral support. God and His Word - the Bible are our guide on this path.

Let's build on the talents that we have received, encourage investment and growth in our state and use our innovative ideas to build a healthy and sustainable future for us as Tasmanians.

?ANDREW NIKOLIC (Liberal)?

What Bass needs is local jobs.  To achieve this we need stability in government.  Consistency.  Less regulation.  Lower and fairer taxes.  We must create the environment for more investment. For more local jobs.

My aim is to deliver for Bass the opportunities, jobs and stability that a Liberal Government will bring to Australia. 

I have loved Northern Tasmania since I married Christine here in Launceston almost 30 years ago. Although my Defence service has taken our family interstate and overseas, we have always regarded this beautiful region as our home.  That's why we have returned here to live.  

I understand the challenges Launceston, the Tamar Valley and the North-East are facing.  That's why I am standing for Bass.

Under Labor and the Greens we have seen businesses close.  Too many empty shops.  Sustainable industries damaged.  Low business and consumer confidence. Too few job opportunities, especially for our young people.  Addressing these problems and delivering a more prosperous future starts with responsible economic management.  

What is urgently needed is an economic Growth Plan that I want to help deliver.

During the last two years I have put forward ideas to help create local jobs.  My ideas are supported by northern mayors and organisations like the TFGA, UTAS, and the TCCI.  I have also secured resources for a healthier Tamar River and for much-needed projects across the electorate.  On 15 August Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and I announced our Tasmanian Economic Growth Plan.  It is designed to help us change course towards greater prosperity - a future of growth, jobs and rising living standards.  

Bass has so many advantages, both natural and in its people.  These can harnessed, but only if we choose change on 7 September.

I ask for your support.  I promise not to let you down if you give me the great honour of representing our community.

?CHRISTOPHER LEE DOBSON (Palmer United Party)

I never imagined I'd be a politician. I've spent most of my adult life accusing them of being out of touch with the average Australian. Well, I've worked all my life, served in the Royal Australian Air Force as an aircraft technician, and up until recently, worked as a service technician. I can relate to the average Australian because I am the average Australian.  I believe that our political system is failing us and needs to be changed, drastically.

I have become increasingly disheartened with our political system and believe the Palmer United Party offers Australians a real chance to bring politics back to serving the people, not the party. Among our policies are:

?*15 per cent cut to personal tax

?* raise the aged pension by $150 per fortnight, 

?* the first $10,000 paid on a housing loan will be tax deductible, annually (for primary residence). 

These policies, as well as allowing companies to pay their tax annually in arrears, will stimulate the economy here in Bass and nationally.

The Tamar is in desperate need of restoration, not just treating the symptoms, but actually fixing the problem, both silt and sewerage. I will do all within my power to see the tertiary treatment plant built, and implementing a real solution to flushing the silt and allowing the river to remain silt free. The Palmer United Party has pledged $400 million to fix our freight problems. We will consult with the community to ensure the best solution is achieved, not just for Bass, but for all of Tasmania.

We will inject $80 billion into health, cut tertiary education costs, and add $20 billion to the Education System. If you're happy with how our country is run, do nothing, if not vote Palmer United Party.

?CHRISTINE BERGMAN (Family First)?

Family First is a mainstream conservative party which believes in strong families, strong values and a strong Australia.

Strong families, which are a fundamental building block of society, are built by having a strong community.  Building strong communities are by providing good education, creating jobs, improving health care and disability support.

Strong values derive from honesty, respect, hard work, courtesy, positivity and generosity.  

Strong Australia comes with having a strong economy, for example supporting industries like mining, farming, manufacturing, tourism and small businesses.  Family First believes that if the Australian tax system is to offer incentives to be productive, to expand activities, to shift welfare to work, to pay tax and invest in the future then Australia will grow into a strong economy.

Australia needs a political party which understands business and how markets work, how investment decisions are made and how jobs are created.

The Bass electorate needs someone that is always available to hear the voice of the people and take their concerns to Canberra.

Some of the concerns that I believe for the electorate of Bass are:

Forestry - we need to remove the red and green tape that has locked up one of the most productive industries that Bass has.  We need the restoration of the Bell Bay Port, creating jobs and productivity and we need the Federal government to work with the Tasmanian government to find solutions for our beautiful Tamar River.

The reason why I am passionate about Family First is simply because their starting point in all things is that families come first.  I am a passionate family person and I am passionate to see and help families grow as they are 'the fundamental building block of our society'.

Australian families deserve better, Australia deserves better.  Strong families, strong values, a strong Australia.

?GEOFF LYONS (Australian Labor Party)?

I am a passionate Tasmanian. I grew up in Tasmania and have worked here all of my life. My wife, Sheryle and I have raised three daughters in Northern Tasmania and it is a great place to raise a family. I have a strong commitment to the community and to sport, health, aged care and regional development, having been involved in these areas all my life.

As your local representative in Parliament, I have worked hard to ensure Tasmania is preparing for the future. This is evident by the investment Northern Tasmania has seen - in roads, agriculture, rail, Trades Training Centres, irrigation schemes, acute and primary health, aged care, education, and the rollout of the National Broadband Network.

I have lobbied hard for these investments and they are all an investment in Tasmanian jobs.

I am also pleased to have recently announced the Tasmanian Freight Package which provides certainty for Tasmanian exporters and the Tasmanian economy. This package is immediate action and support, in response to the industry's requests.

My vision for Northern Tasmania is a future where our kids can get a great education which leads to a highly skilled job. The NBN will play a vital role to make this a reality.

Labor's NBN will serve Australia's needs now, and into the future. Access to NBN fibre to over 10,000 homes and businesses in Bass has been switched on but thousands will miss out if Tony Abbott is elected.

I believe that the Bass electorate deserves a local representative, who understands and appreciates local needs and concerns and not policies that are aimed at ripping away like the Schoolkids Bonus from families who need it most.

With your support I will continue to work hard and fight for the interests of the Northern Tasmanians in Canberra.

LUCY LANDON-LANE (Australian Greens)?

My vision for Bass is for this region to continue to develop as a world-class tourism destination, known for its beauty, fine wines, gourmet food, stunning accommodation and sustainable agriculture.

We urgently need to fix the sewage problem, which results in raw sewage flowing directly into the river at flooding events. With a combined effort from all parties, this issue could be solved within the next 5 years, employing hundreds of people in the process. Then we could address the silt problem and consider how we want to beautify the banks of the upper Tamar.

Sustainable agriculture is flourishing in Bass but we must ensure that Tasmania remains GM free to maintain our reputation as being clean, green and clever. We must also work together to ensure that the Freight Equalisation Scheme is implemented as soon as possible, so that we are able to remain in the national and international markets with our high quality products.

The Greens propose a $50/week increase to Newstart, helping those who are struggling to make ends meet.

With Greens initiated Denticare our children now have access to free dental care.

The Greens believe that small business is the heart of the nation and propose a 2 per cent cut to the company tax rate. This, with other proposals, will assist all small businesses to grow, creating employment.

The Greens are a party with its eyes fixed firmly on caring for people and the environment as we meet the 21st century challenges.

We will deliver a caring Australia, a safer climate and a proud global reputation. We are the strong, honest party who will stand up to those who protect their own interests to the detriment of the environment and deny everyone else a fair go.

It is the Greens who will stand up for what matters.

?JIN-OH CHOI (Secular Party of Australia)?

 As a minor party candidate, I hope to make your vote work harder on September 7 and raise the importance of secular values.

We live in a pluralistic society; where our ethics should honour universal humanist values of compassion, honesty, freedom and justice.

I'm a firm believer of equal rights for all, regardless of religion, race, gender, age or sexuality. But am concerned with the entanglement between government and religion. I hope both the religious and non-religious will join me to support a fair go for all.

One key area is tax reform; the Secular Party of Australia hopes that one of the most antiquated and inequitable features of Australia's tax system is examined. The policy that permits benefits of billions of dollars annually to religious organisations (non-charitable work), which is not afforded to other businesses.

We need to resolve anomalies in relation to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) concessions and income tax exemptions for the commercial enterprises of religions.

A fairer tax system where religious organisations should pay their share to alleviate everyday Australians of an un-necessary additional tax burden. So the savings can be used to distribute more funding towards essential areas such as health, education and infrastructure.

I will strive to have legislation based on evidence, informed debate and equality for all.

A secular government should promote a freedom of religion and freedom from religion; founded on a true separation of church and state.

At this election, I hope you would all consider a vote for secular values to send a strong message to Canberra.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact me via mobile 0408 271 800, email jchoi@secular.org.au, or my website www.jin-ohchoi.id.au.

More details about the Secular Party of Australia's policies can be found at www.secular.org.au.