2022 federal election Indi Candidates
Q1 Explain how you would help create more opportunities for youth in Indi – specifically around employment and education – to help diminish the need for people to leave the area? Q2
Cost shifting by state and federal governments has placed an increasingly heavy burden on local councils – and their ratepayers – throughout Indi. Name three things you would do that would help councils and support their communities?
A1 Consult with all local government areas’ community and business sectors, then expand funding for job training for tourism, hospitality, retail and primary sector jobs
In identified sectors/areas, subsidise new jobs for workers under 25 years, for 12 months from commencement of employment, with extensions possible after independent reviews
Increase numbers of subsidised or free TAFE courses in industries/ sectors with identified skills shortages and recruit within local education and community networks
A2 Allocate funding for creation of community-based networks, managed by funded staff, to help with resource sharing and to identify opportunities for collaboration between adjoining local governments areas. Provide direct support via dedicated staff for ratepayers and business owners in streamlining operations and improving productivity/efficiency. Fund positions based in local councils or community networks to provide information, support and referral for businesses wanting to become more sustainable by: sourcing cheaper biodegradable materials; adopting better and cheaper recycling systems; and creating partnerships between businesses and sectors to create and share new enterprises (eg partnerships in recycling/upcycling, bulk purchasing, equipment/ resource sharing).
A1 The biggest challenge for young people in Indi is finding somewhere to live. The jobs are there, but young people can’t afford to live here and take up those jobs. Prices are up 33% in Wangaratta, 40% in Euroa, 54% in Bright and 55% in Mansfield. It’s previously unheard of. I’m fighting for infrastructure investment to unlock new housing supply so young people can afford to live here.
A2 First, I’m fighting to stop the Federal Government shifting the cost of NBN onto local councils. The government says the NBN build is done, which is clearly not true, but is now asking councils (and therefore ratepayers) to pay for further upgrades. The Commonwealth is supposed to pay for the NBN, not regional ratepayers. Second, my Housing Infrastructure Fund proposal would fund council projects like upgrading Wangaratta’s sewer system to unlock new housing. Third, I’ve worked hand-in-glove with councils to secure funding for nine new mobile phone towers, and I will keep working to deliver more towers for Indi.
A1 Young people have been heavily impacted by COVID and supporting their mental health is critical to ensuring positive pathways for the future. Our party has advocated heavily at a state level for funding for Education First Youth Foyers in Wodonga and Wangaratta, to provide secure accommodation and integrated learning for people aged 16 to 24. Housing affordability, incentivising work in health and aged care sectors which have workplace shortages, and improving connectivity are all critical issues.
A2 Sustained and adequate funding for local roads and bridges; improved connectivity to support small business, working and learning from home.
Derryn Hinch’s Justice party member for Northern Victoria, Tania Maxwell, has raised in State Parliament the issue in Wangaratta around its sewer capacity, which will stop residential development. Wangaratta is one of the highest growth areas in the state. The project needs around $200m in funding to support local housing.
A1 The UAP is committed to improving the economic conditions in rural Australia. We have a 20% tax concession for those living more than 200km from a capital city. We want to process the minerals and ores mined here and not send them overseas as raw resources. We want to see as much Australian industry that went offshore returned. These policies will invigorate rural economies and in doing so will provide massive opportunities for youth employment and stable lives.
A2 All government seek to shift costs onto others. The UAP would assist councils where possible by getting councils to focus on their core responsibilities and with the economic boom created by the UAP policies then councils will have much more rate revenue available. Councils are a great resource for people but so much more is provided by voluntary organisations and other bodies that have local ties and knowledge. I believe that the UAP or whoever is in government should support and encourage these organisations in their desire to improve the lot of the local people.
A1 Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts, we have been unable to contact Beth Stevens and no answers for this week’s Q&A have been forthcoming. EDITOR
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A1 The rapid transition to 100% renewables will provide low cost, green energy to rebuild our manufacturing industry, creating jobs and innovation. Establishing the Manufacturing Australia Fund will help local manufacturers expand into new sectors. The Greens will reverse cuts to university funding, and boost it by 10%, enabling quality teaching, learning and research. These policies will benefit Indi, helping to diminish the need for people to leave the area.
A2 The Australian Local Government Association says waste generation in Australia is increasing, and we have little capacity for processing much of the mixed plastic waste collected by local governments. The Greens will invest in promoting localised resource capture, repair and re-manufacture, including supporting local councils with grants and other assistance to transition to a job-creating, circular economy, and to build industrial compostable facilities to reduce waste. As the elected representative for Indi, I would liaise regularly with councils and community groups throughout the electorate to facilitate pathways for communication with Canberra, to support grant-seekers and provide direct advocacy.
A1 Historically young people left rural areas for education and employment. Nowadays, jobs are available in rural areas and the challenge is ensuring availability of appropriate training. The Liberal and Nationals Government have a strong record of supporting Australian apprentices and trainees. The government has committed to extending the ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement Program’. This program provides employers with a 50 per cent wage subsidy for taking on a new apprentice or trainee.
A2 I will meet with local councils regularly and discuss their priorities as I have done during the election campaign.
I will lobby my National Party colleagues to continue to support local road projects to get outcomes such as the recently announced $9 million commitment to road upgrades in the Mansfield Shire, and the $518,000 for the Tarrawingee mobile tower.
I will lobby for continuation and increased funding of community infrastructure projects for road, rail, telecommunications, community amenities, health, and education.
A1 The Liberal National Government has completely abandoned young people, not just in the regions, but across Australia. Labor is focused on repairing and properly funding higher education – including providing 450,000 free TAFE spaces and 25,000 new university spaces – and bringing fees under control. We need to pay apprentices a living wage so they can finish their apprenticeships, and we must invest in mental health support for young people.
A2 This is not the message I’m getting from the local councils I’ve met with – and I’m meeting them all between now and election day. The issue isn’t cost-shifting, it’s a lack of planning and future-proofing, combined with limited collaboration between the three government levels. Each level of government has responsibility for different things and need to work together to establish strong relationships. I would establish multi-government working groups with representatives from each, I would invest in town planners and I would ensure we develop clear development master plans so we know what we’re doing before we do it.
A1 The Liberal Democrats will not fund universities directly. Instead, we will fund students with a voucher system. This will encourage universities to provide education where the students are living. We will create employment by removing company tax on profits a company reinvests in Australia, increasing employment opportunities in Indi. We will raise the tax-free threshold and reduce income tax to 20% so a good income can be earned locally.
A2 The Liberal Democrats have sensible, reasonable, workable policies that will support the Indi community and councils. We will encourage jobs and growth in Indi by reducing company tax to 20%, increase personal income by cutting income tax to 20%, and we will provide cheap, safe, low-carbon nuclear power, like many other developed countries. Our policies work. I brought a $17 million rehabilitation centre into Indi, by developing a good policy for rural rehabilitation. Dr Haines, our federal representative, lacks plans and policies so she has only brought in $6.8m. Our election policy details can be found at ldp.org.au.
A1 With young children living in the region, I’m passionate about the opportunities and lifestyle the North East offers. I want my children to grow up and lead a balanced, fulfilling life with access to education, health, jobs, and recreation without having to leave the region. I have a plan to attract manufacturers to our region, that secures local high skill jobs, and drives investment in local education to match the need for skilled workers.
A2 The Morrison Liberal Government has stepped up to support local governments with the creation of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program in 2020. The LRCIP supports local councils to deliver local road and community infrastructure projects, supporting jobs and local economies bounce back from COVID-19. As an economic stimulus measure, the intent is to fund road and community infrastructure projects which would otherwise not be possible. In Indi, over $37 million has been provided to local LGA’s from this new fund, on top of funding already provided by the Commonwealth Government. If elected, will fight to see this fund continue.