LYNDHURST POLL: KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE
LYNDHURST BYELECTION: HOPES FADE FOR NEW KEYSBOROUGH SCHOOL
The Journal asked Lyndhurst candidates about the electorate’s biggest issues (besides PT and schools) ahead of April 27’s state by-election.
MARTIN LEAHY, Sex Party
Small business needs to be encouraged, not discouraged. Through tax breaks and cuts to red tape we can stimulate the local economy and generate job growth.
Public safety in our suburbs is paramount. Police resources should be focused on violent crime, rather than enforcing by-laws upon small business that duplicates the work of other agencies, causing small business expenses they cannot afford.
Drug use should be treated as a health issue, not a crime. Decriminalisation of drug use allows users to seek help without fear of prosecution and will reduce pressure on our prisons, meaning we won’t have to spend millions on a new prison.
Dying with dignity is an issue we should be mature enough to discuss. individuals should be able to choose when they go, not when a politician does.
The Lyndhurst landfill must maintain the highest standards and the terms of reference of the Community Reference Group should be amended to include permanent membership by local council and the EPA
HUNG VO, Independent
Since 2010, the people of Lyndhurst have raised concerns about the landfill tip. Unfortunately, the elected candidate from the Labor party has done very little, and so there has been no real resolution of the issue. This issue will never go away, and I guarantee that no Labor or Liberal party candidate will address it to benefit the community.
I am not an expert but I am a person living in the electorate and so have an interest in seeing this problem solved. If elected as the representative candidate of Lyndhurst, I plan to bring the issue forward for consultation with the appropriate government bodies and the community of Lyndhurst so that a real solution can result.
NINA SPRINGLE, Greens
Issue: Anti-social behaviour
Plan: We believe, based on strong and long standing evidence from Australia and around the world, that the best way to curb ‘anti-social behaviour’ is to provide people and communities with good educational, employment and recreational opportunities and facilities.
I would also advocate for a 24 hr police station to service the Hampton Park/Lynbrook area. In the short term Cranbourne Police Station needs greater numbers to provide the capacity for patrols of the Lynbrook area.
Issue: Poor mental health services for young people
Plan: Drop-in centres should be established and placed in accessible locations across the electorate, staffed by trained mental health clinicians who work with the community. These centres ideally would operate an open door policy, where no young person will be turned away. The centres should work closely with the local schools, educating students on the importance of mental health and referring those at risk. These centres also need to work in conjunction with welfare agencies. People who are assessed to be in immediate danger will be referred to the local mental health service triage team to further treatment.
Issue: High Power Bills
Plan: Cut power bills by making power companies pay residents a fair rate for their solar energy, ensuring residents are able to afford to install solar panels.
MARTIN PAKULA, Labor
The biggest concern for electors in Victoria and in particular in the seat of Lyndhurst is jobs. This Government has seen a record loss in jobs and investment across the state. With a strong focus on manufacturing in the seat of Lyndhurst, jobs and the future of the manufacturing industry is of real concern to constituents.
Tens of thousands of jobs continue to be lost under Mr Napthine who refuses to work hard for Victorian families. Month after month the Liberal National Government fails to invest in jobs, infrastructure, manufacturing and skills and in so doing the Victorian economy continues to go backwards.
The Victorian Labor Opposition released our Plan for Jobs and Growth in November 2012. As part of that plan, we’ve said that a future Labor Government will support local business through Government procurement policy, grow jobs through infrastructure investment, properly fund education and training and support long-term disadvantaged job seekers to find suitable employment.
GERALDINE GONSALVEZ, Democratic Labor Party
■ Return Democracy to the Local Councils by ensuring they have a voice and a presence when Planning and Environmental decisions are taken by the State Government.
■ Plan for some good family friendly recreation and tourist fun/ theme parks.
■ Encourage and support agri business, farming and local manufacturing co – operatives & initiatives.
■ Put closure on the Lyndhurst Toxic and Hazardous waste landfill and advocate a state of the art above ground Hazardous waste managing facility for the state.
■ Put a stop to ad hoc rezoning and amendments and the rezoning of protected green wedge and rural zones for offensive industrial purposes.
■ Improve and plan for better freight transportation in and around the district.
■ Introduce more local community cabinet meetings with the provision for locals to have a direct say in all matters local and enable a proactive interaction between all ratepayers, residents, local, state & federal Governments.
STEPHEN NOWLAND, Family First
As a father, and Grandfather, I am aware of the pressures on the family in relation to costs of living. I, as the Candidate representing Family First will fight to ensure that all new legislation introduced into parliament will have a family impact statement showing the true effect on the family, and that where possible, the cost of living pressures are reduced. I will also fight to ensure that Families are catered for in relation to adequate health, education and Community facilities within this electorate.
* Candidates Bobby Singh and David Linaker (independents) did not respond.
