Chasing a green light for Murray

If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll keep getting what we’ve always got. I hope I can be a much needed change and a fresh voice for our region

DOCTOR Nivanka De Silva believes people have lost faith in the current generation of politicians because they are ‘‘more interested in looking after themselves than their communities’’.

That’s why she is running as Greens candidate for the seat of Murray in the coming NSW state election.

And while taking a shot at a traditionally conservative seat is a bold move, she’s confident locals are ready for a change.

‘‘If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll keep getting what we’ve always got,’’ she said.

‘‘I hope I can be a much needed change and a fresh voice for our region.’’

For the 25-year-old from Deniliquin, this region is close to her heart — she’s lived here since she migrated from Sri Lanka with her family as a child. Dr De Silva’s mother was a key role model from day one, working in town as a GP.

And she has now followed in her mother’s footsteps, working as a rurally trained medical doctor currently based in Albury where she is specialising in psychiatry.

Dr De Silva said she was inspired to pursue politics after witnessing the work of strong women like Albury deputy mayor Dr Amanda Cohn and NSW Greens senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi.

‘‘(They) passionately advocate for issues I care about such as safe access to abortion, equitable access

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to good education and protecting our land and water for future generations,’’ she said.

‘‘I chose to join the Greens because of their fantastic policies that value social equity, are focused on the long term and are fully costed.’’

Dr De Silva said the water crisis was a pressing issue she planned to address.

‘‘It’s clear the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has failed to meet all its aims — environmental, economic and social,’’ she said.

‘‘The Greens have a detailed plan we are committing to at both state and federal levels which includes a national Royal Commission to shine a light on corruption and poor decision making by policy makers. ROMPS A IR R G B R IFT ELUDE DECOR T IM ID N Y PERU OVERT SEVEN NAVE I I DOL REMED IAL N T A I B I CREMATED M IST E AMEN HASTY ROUSE THOR R I SONAR R IG ID TREND ELAN C Y R SUE LENTO

‘ ’

‘‘Corporate donations to politicians from wealthy individuals and corporations who can personally benefit from these decisions need to be banned and we strongly oppose the Liberal Nationals Government’s pipeline to Broken Hill that will only put more pressure on Murray communities.’’

‘‘Working together to ensure water allocations are fair and decisions are based on science is our only hope of protecting the basin.’’

Through her work, Dr De Silva has also witnessed a desperate need for further mental health services in the region.

‘‘Mental health issues affect 45 per cent of Australians during their lifetime. We need to make sure services are adequately funded and available to everyone that needs them, especially in regional areas,’’ she said.

‘‘This means training and funding mental health professionals to work here in our communities.’’

Dr De Silva also hopes to see multiculturalism and diversity embraced further in rural communities.

‘‘We need to change the national narrative from fear of multiculturalism to celebration of the amazing contributions generations of migrants have made to our communities,’’ she said.

‘‘Our region has a proud history of migration we should celebrate, as well as our Aboriginal people having the world’s oldest continuing culture.

‘‘We are stronger together and I want to use this election to promote positive stories about how communities have embraced those who might look and sound different and reaped the benefits of a diverse community.’’

When it comes to gun laws, Dr De Silva said guns were a crucial tool for farmers in the region.

‘‘(They are important) for feral animal control and humanely euthanasing sick and injured livestock,’’ she said.

‘‘Farmers know better than anyone that gun safety and respect for the potential danger they pose is vitally important, and like them, the Greens support strict regulation to make sure guns stay out of the hands of criminals.’’