North Sydney Candidates 18th May 2019 Federal Election

ITC followers asked ITC to put together a list of candidates and what they stood for.  We wrote to each candidate and asked them the same questions.  They are listed below in the order that we received their response to our questions.  Only three candidates provided information to In the Cove (as distinct from the recent State Election where all candidates provided information).

Their responses have not been edited (so for once any typos and mistakes are not ITC’s fat fingers).  At the bottom of this article is a link to our article on where to vote on 18th May 2019 and pre polling options.

Trent Zimmerman MP – Liberal Party

Why Did You Decide to Run in this Election?

I am seeking re-election as the Member for North Sydney to continue my work for our local community and in the federal parliament.  Giving back to your community is one of the most important thing a person can do which is why I stood for federal parliament just over three years ago.

I am passionate about our area and have lived on the lower north shore for almost two decades.  During that time I have worked with the community as a North Sydney Councillor as through a range of community organisations.

As the Member for North Sydney I am proud of what we have been able to achieve for our local community.  Being a good representative in parliament is about listening to the community, being accessible, working hard, and delivering outcomes.  I will continue this approach and my work as a strong and sensible voice for the progressive and practical liberal values I take to Canberra.

I also strongly believe that the Liberal government is best placed to build our economy, deliver tax relief, manage the budget and ensure we can fund those services like health and education that are so important.

What do you think are the five biggest issues in the North Sydney Electorate?

  • Ensuring we build the economy, both locally and nationally, to allow people to fulfil their aspirations and the government to provide world-class services and infrastructure.
  • Improving transport infrastructure – and I am pleased the federal government is contributing $1.7 billion to the NSW government’s new metro rail project which will significantly improve public transport on the north shore. Over the last three years we have also provided $6.2 million to local councils through the Roads 2 Recovery program for local roads.
  • Ensuring we have the infrastructure and services to meet the needs of our changing population. We are increasing funding for local schools and hospitals and I have been particularly pleased to secure funds for important local sporting infrastructure upgrades like the Gore Hill Oval sporting precinct and the Lane Cove Pool.
  • Protecting our local environment – we are home to incredible urban bushland and beautiful parks and surrounded by our beautiful harbour and Lane Cove River. I am committed to working with local councils and organisations to protect what makes our area of Sydney so special.
  • Helping individuals and families improve their standard of living – for example, our personal income tax plan will provide tax relief to low and middle income earners immediately and, in the medium term, mean that 94 per cent of tax payers are paying no more than 30 cents in the dollar.

How can you assist in providing more sporting facilities to Lane Cove – applying for grants etc (in particular more netball courts and basketball courts)?

Improving local sporting facilities has been a priority for me to help cater for the growing number of young families in our area and those seeking to improve their fitness of all ages.  I am particularly proud of the $9.5 million I secured for the recently re-opened Gore Hill sporting precinct and the $2 million for Lane Cove Pool.  I also worked with Lane Cove Council to help the Lane Cove 12 foot sailing club with storage facilities following their awful fire.  I have also announced that a re-elected Morrison government will provide $10 million to help secure the future of the iconic North Sydney Olympic Pool.

This will continue to be a focus for me utilising the community sport infrastructure programs we have established.  I understand the particular needs of netball and basketball through my work with local clubs.  The completion of the first stage of the Gore Hill project is hopefully a precursor to the construction of a new indoor sports centre with courts – which is a goal of Willoughby City Council.

How will you help small businesses in North Sydney (and in particular Lane Cove)?

Our local retail and business precincts are a generator of both local employment but also important centres for our community.

The Liberal government has particularly focused on improving support for small business.  For example, we have cut the company tax rates for small and medium size businesses and in this year’s federal budget we extended and expanded the instant asset write off for small businesses to apply for the purchase of equipment up to $30,000 and for businesses with turnover less than $50 million.  We have also worked to reduce red-tape at the federal level with compliance costs reduced for businesses by over $6 billion since 2013.

What is your favourite place to visit in Lane Cove?

Blackman Park.  And my cavoodle Simba is already in love with the wonderful new dog park!

Describe Lane Cove in three words

Vibrant. Caring. Community.

Snag or Cake Stall on Election Day – which one do you buy first?

Snag !

Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans – Independent

Why Did You Decide to Run in this Election?
I was disappointed with how the country is being run with big issues being ignored and powerful interests being favoured over over what  the people need and want.
What do you think are the five biggest issues in the North Sydney Electorate?
  • Corruption is become a national epidemic with corrupt contracts and also big interest favoured, such as irrigators, frackers, banks and big companies not paying taxes. There are Police for the little crimes, but not the big ones.
  • The environment and Climate Change. We need policies on energy, transport, mining and water management to begin to address this.
  • Planning. This has to happen at a national level, but also at a local level. Plans should be discussed by local residents and an agreed framework worked out. Developers should fit into this, not determine it.
  • Health care should be by how sick you are, not how rich you are. Medicare is being starved of funds so doctors will not use it. It must be revived and funded better. Fix Medicare.
  • Education must have equality of opportunity, and more sport must be included in the school curriculum. Our area needs more schools, and no development with adequate room for schools.
How can you assist in providing more sporting facilities to Lane Cove?
In real political terms Independents can lobby for more facilities and grants for their electorate.  Only small amounts are given out in safe electorates.  Planning has to be such that big developments have to give monies for facilities for sports and recreation.  There needs to be better coordination between schools and sporting clubs to improve exercise, health and fitness for the whole population. This must be organised at the grass root level, with appropriate funding.
How will you help small businesses in North Sydney?
We need to look at regulatory systems to see that they are responsive to needs, and in particular predatory patterns where big business undermines competition and squeezes small business.
What is your favourite place to visit in Lane Cove?
Pottery Green Oval
Describe Lane Cove in three words
Great Village Atmosphere
 Snag or Cake Stall on Election Day – which one do you buy first?
I am a snag man.

Brett Stone – Australian Labor Party (ALP)

Why Did You Decide to Run in this Election?

I’m standing as the ALP candidate for North Sydney because I believe in our party’s vision for this country.

Our party is prioritising funding that will properly resource our schools and hospitals and will make sure that we take serious action on the issue of climate change.

As the owner and operator of a small business – Stone Digital – I also understand the issues that small businesses and many other people face in the electorate.

I have experience working in the business world.

I have been working for months to hear directly from members of the local community about what is important to them and what they want from their elected representative. This is the approach I would bring to the community as your elected representative.

People are craving a representative that actually speaks up on their behalf and is part of a stable united government. And that’s exactly what Labor can provide.

What do you think are the five biggest issues in the North Sydney Electorate?

  • The environment and climate change, this is the number one concern I hear raised by residents in the North Sydney electorate.
  • Health funding
  • Education funding
  • Housing affordability
  • Wage stagnation and tax cuts

 

How can you assist in providing more sporting facilities to Lane Cove – applying for grants etc?

As a Member of Parliament, I would work hard to work alongside sporting clubs and community groups to ensure they make the most of available grants that would benefit them and the community

How will you help small businesses in North Sydney (and in particular Lane Cove)

As a small business owner myself, I feel I would be able to strongly represent the interests of small businesses in the North Sydney area and beyond.

I’m also very passionate about our party’s policy to establish the Australian Investment Guarantee which will provide all businesses in North Sydney the opportunity to immediately deduct 20 per cent of any new eligible asset worth more than $20,000

What is your favourite place to visit in Lane Cove?

Lane Cove Plaza

Describe Lane Cove in three words

A beautiful community.

Snag or Cake Stall on Election Day – which one do you buy first?

Snag

Good Luck to all the candidates running in this election.  Here is the list of where you can vote in Lane Cove on election day and also where you can pre poll and how to vote online.


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