General News
22 November, 2022
Polwarth meet your state election candidates 2022
WITH the 2022 State Election looming Western District Newspapers spoke with Polwarth’s candidates to get an understanding of where they stand on key issues in the region.
WITH the 2022 State Election looming Western District Newspapers spoke with Polwarth’s candidates to get an understanding of where they stand on key issues in the region.
Seven candidates will contest this election, including incumbent Richard Riordan.
The 2022 candidates are – in order listed on the ballot paper – Hilary McAllister (Australian Greens), Denes Borsos (Independent), Hollie Hunter (Family First Victoria), Hutch Hussein (Australian Labor Party); Elisha Atchison (Animal Justice Party), Joseph Remenyi (Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party) and Richard Riordan (Liberal).
The state will head to the polls on Saturday, November 26.
What are the key issues you see facing the Polwarth electorate?
Hilary McAllister: Polwarth is home to many amazing natural environments. From the beautiful coastline to the inland rivers and forests, we have enviable surroundings, but they need our protection.
Climate change is a key issue facing the electorate, and only the Greens have a plan to phase out coal and gas, while ensuring a job for job guarantee for everyone working in the fossil fuel sector.
The Greens are committed to halting the damaging gas extraction around Victoria, including in the Otway Basin, phasing it out by 2030.
Other key issues are addressing the housing shortage and ensuring all Victorian’s have access to affordable healthcare, housing and transport.
As your member for Polwarth, I will fight to put people and planet over profit.
Hutch Hussein: I’m a Mum involved in my kids’ school council and I’m active in my local community through what my two boys are involved in.
Over the past five months, as I’ve been invited into people’s homes and their community groups and clubs, the local people of Polwarth have shared with me their ideas and concerns from responding to the massive growth in demand on services for families in Torquay right through to supporting farmers needing reliable power in the hinterland around Timboon and Cobden.
From the conversations I’ve had, regardless of where they live, my fellow residents in Polwarth all care about governments delivering good services, ensuring a strong economy and supporting families with the rising cost of living.
They know that Labor Governments are the only ones that deliver – whether that’s providing the infrastructure for decent jobs, supporting hospitals and schools, or our rollout of free kinder.
Richard Riordan: Camperdown, Cobden and residents throughout Polwarth tell me they want safe roads, fit for purpose community facilities, better health and aged care services, lower taxes, reduced costs of housing and living.
There are many other areas of concern that I deal with on a daily basis that are the result of eight years under a Labor Government.
The community is tired of an unresponsive, arrogant Andrews Labor government that ignores the regions and is financially irresponsible; leaving a massive debt that will be a burden on our children and grandchildren.
I will continue to fight for a better outcome for our region and will, if elected, bring about the genuine changes people need and want.
What are your key policy platforms?
Hilary McAllister: This election, the Greens key policy platforms are:
• Climate Action: stop gas drilling near the 12 Apostles and replace coal and gas with 100 per cent renewable;
• Affordable Housing: cap rent increases, make property developers provide affordable homes and regulate the short stay industry to free up more homes;
• Public Transport: Massive increase in train and bus services, and make electric vehicles more affordable;
• Education: Make public schooling genuinely free, by ending out of pocket expenses for families;
• Make them pay: We will make the big banks, gambling industry and property developers pay their fair share;
• Integrity: Ban dirty donations from toxic industries such as the fossil fuel industry and give IBAC more teeth; and
• Environment: End native forest logging, create a zero-extinction fund and ban duck shooting.
Hutch Hussein: I’ve visited communities across the electorate including Cobden where I announced a funding commitment of $6.6m for Cobden Technical School which hasn’t had a major upgrade for decades.
This builds on many local investments like $474,885 towards the replacement of the Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail Bridge.
Electorates like Polwarth need services and support to ensure good quality health care, free kinder and free TAFE is accessible to all.
At this election, we’re pledging more nurses and paramedics in regional Victoria. We’ll be making kindergarten free for three and four-year olds and expanding the eligibility for free TAFE.
We’ll be capping Vline train fares at the same rate as Melbourne – currently $9.20/$4.60. And we’ll bring back government-owned renewable energy – driving down power bills and creating thousands of jobs.
All whilst taking real action on climate change and improving our roads.
Richard Riordan: We will cut hospital waiting lists by providing an additional 50,000 surgeries and train an additional 40,000 nurses and midwives.
We will build or upgrade more than 20 hospitals as well as fix the 000 crisis.
We will reward hard-working Victorian families with cheaper public transport and ease regional housing pressure by releasing 50,000 extra lots.
We will help small business by providing 28,000 payroll tax cuts and a $1 billion manufacturing spend in regional Victoria.
We will restore accountability and integrity to government with more funding for the Ombudsman and more funding and powers for IBAC as well as a Royal Commission into Victoria’s response to the COVID pandemic.
We will build stronger communities and put an end to Andrews era of spiralling debt and higher taxes.
Why have you run in the 2022 election?
Hilary McAllister: I am running for the Greens this election, as I believe the people of Polwarth deserve better representation in Parliament.
For too long, the natural resources of Polwarth have been exploited for profit, and the environment has suffered terribly because of this.
I am very grateful to live in the beautiful community of Aireys Inlet, surrounded by beautiful National Park and marine sanctuaries.
Our communities want to see these natural places protected and cared for.
I am incredibly concerned for our future, with more intense weather systems already affecting our region.
We need to take bold action to address the climate and biodiversity crisis, and I believe I am the best representative to do this.
I am a keen learner, open to new ideas and I love meeting new people and look forward to connecting with more communities and people as your Member for Polwarth.
Hutch Hussein: Progress doesn’t just happen. It takes a community to articulate and make a case and good politicians to turn that into outcomes.
Trained as a social worker and policy advocate I’ve worked with communities and government for more than 20 years to make that happen.
I’ve held senior management roles leading local community organisations and charities, including roles as deputy CEO and now advocating on behalf of and with disadvantaged communities for a national charity.
I’ve also previously served as a ministerial policy adviser in the education and women’s portfolios.
I know what it takes to create change for communities. I have the skills, experience and a proven track record of delivering.
And I will bring all of this, and a passion for my local community to my campaign to get things done for the people of Polwarth as their direct voice in a Labor Government.
Richard Riordan: I have run in the 2022 election to continue to be a strong, accessible and successful advocate for the people of Polwarth.
I have run to continue to help the thousands of people that come to me with many diverse issues.
As a lifelong local I am committed to getting the best possible outcomes for our local people and communities.
I have a lot to bring to Polwarth; strong community and business connections, a deep understanding of the local environment, business, tourism and health sectors that meanI can consult widely and get positive outcomes for the people of Polwarth and a better future
Unfortunately the current Andrews Labor Government is deeply Melbourne-centric and they do not venture beyond the Westgate Bridge and do not understand regional Victoria.
We must change this government to bring the genuine changes required to the region.
What changes would you make for the good of the electorate?
Hilary McAllister: I believe stopping seismic testing in the Southern Ocean will protect the health and wellbeing of our coastline and the communities that rely on a healthy ocean to exist.
Tourism brings millions of people to our region every year, and we must protect the culturally and environmentally significant places that are integral to this industry.
The effects of seismic testing are already being felt by the fishing industry, and we must stop this destructive process now.
Focusing on a carbon neutral future will create more jobs in the area, including the Greens plan to invest in regenerative agriculture which will make Victoria a leader in producing quality, locally grown produce.
Hutch Hussein: As a direct voice in government, should the Andrews Labor Government be returned, I will work hard to deliver for Polwarth.
As such, I would be keen to develop a range of advisory groups to ensure I hear from and meet with people from all parts of the electorate.
It’s through understanding the issues that we can together put forward ideas and projects that can make a difference for the people who live here.
I aim to be also a strong regional voice and I have been pleased at the reception from Labor’s team on the importance they see in voices like mine in shaping their decisions.
I will seek to work cooperatively with Local Government and be a constructive and persistent advocate to address important local issues – including targeted road funding, better mobile reception, better access to government departments
My promises have a better chance of actually being delivered.
Richard Riordan: I am committed to getting a fairer share for country Victoria.
A Liberal Government has committed $6.5 million to Cobden Health.
The Cobden community deserves top quality aged care facilities to properly look after its elderly residents.
A Liberal Government has a 25 per cent of infrastructure commitment to be spent in the country, not the 10 per cent or less it has been under Labor.
A Liberal Government will shelve the $35 billion Box Hill train, and instead spend an extra $10 billion over 10 years on increased State roads maintenance as well as an extra $18 million over the next 4 years for Polwarth shire roads.
The Liberals plan for a Geelong metro train service will see $2 return trips to Geelong, and six services a day from Geelong to Colac.
A four-year halving of V/line fares will see Camperdown and the western district more affordably connected to the rest of Victoria providing accessibility for all.
Why should the electorate vote for you?
Hilary McAllister: Polwarth is changing rapidly, with the inclusion of Torquay and surrounds now a part of the electorate.
This is an incredible opportunity for Polwarth become a progressive, future focused electorate that understand the needs of a changing future.
As a young, female candidate, I believe I can bring about the change that Polwarth needs, and bring community, industry and families together to be part of this vision, and ensure a healthier, prosperous and secure future for all.
The Greens put people and planet over profit and continue to fight for social and climate justice.
I will continue this fight in Polwarth and ask you to help make this a reality.
Hutch Hussein: Voters have a choice in Polwarth to have a connected, passionate and direct voice who can pick up the phone or make the time to meet and speak with decision makers in local, state and federal governments.
Or, they can vote for someone who is out of touch, who criticises and complains and as a result, can’t deliver the outcomes that Polwarth voters deserve.
I am open to discussions, ideas and solutions. I enjoy meeting with people and I have a natural ‘lean’ towards community engagement and brokering solutions.
I believe where there are voices raising issues, they need to be listened to, supported and guided to achieve an outcome that benefits their area, be they a local business, a community environment group, concerned mums, musicians and performers looking for support – I want to be a supportive and empowering voice for them.
Richard Riordan: People should vote for me because I have a proven track record and the ability to deliver the things that people want and need.
I am also a problem solver and there are thousands of people across the electorate who know this.
They have come to me with many diverse problems during my time in office, this is a key role of an active country MP, we help anyone that comes through the door and get the best possible outcomes.
Polwarth has suffered enough under eight years of Labor, another four years of Labor will not bring positive outcomes to our region.
We need real change and a strong local advocate that understands local communities and local issues.
I am committed to getting a fairer share for country Victoria. I am your local voice to Parliament.
I respectfully ask for your vote this election.
*Candidates Denes Borsos and Joesph Remenyi declined to respond to the questionnaire. Candidates Hollie Hunter and Elisha Atchinson failed to respond at all.
