General News
17 November, 2022
Ripon candidates give local answers at forum
Roads, health and housing were identified as some of the top concerns for locals heading into the state election, with candidates or the seat of Ripon answering questions directly from the community this week. Candidates Martha Haylett (Labor)...
Roads, health and housing were identified as some of the top concerns for locals heading into the state election, with candidates or the seat of Ripon answering questions directly from the community this week.
Candidates Martha Haylett (Labor), Louise Staley (Liberals and current member for Ripon), and Bernard Quince (Independent) attended the Maryborough Golf Club for a forum on Wednesday, organised by Committee for Maryborough and hosted by ABC journalist Bridget Rollason.
Animal Justice Party candidate Holly Sitters was scheduled to appear via video link but due to technical difficulties, instead submitted a short video explaining her position.
During her speech, Ms Sitters said while she’s focused on animals, the Animal Justice Party also strives to build a “kinder world” for people.
“My focus is on conserving biodiversity, and I’ve been fortunate to spend huge amounts of time in the bush in different corners of Victoria studying animals,” she said.
“The Animal Justice Party views us humans as part of an interconnected system involving animals, people and the planet.
“While my focus here is on animals, I would like to emphasise that the Animal Justice Party is also striving to build a kinder world for people too. Like other progressive parties, we’re committed to net zero emissions by 2035 at the latest.”
A broad range of questions were put to candidates, from how to attract more doctors to the region, supporting social housing, local projects, childcare, climate change and freedom of religion.
One voter asked candidates how they would support two major Dunolly projects in need of funding — the Dunolly housing project designed to provide affordable independent living units and upgrades to Deledio Reserve’s dilapidated clubrooms.
Ms Staley said she was committed to the community and the projects.
“We’ve announced we’ll put $1.5 million towards the Deledio Reserve project. There needs to be a Federal Government component and I’m committed to getting that project built,” she said.
“On the housing, there’s a lot of communities across Ripon trying to crack the problem of how do we get housing for low income, elderly or older people. So far no one’s cracked it, but I’ve always thought Dunolly’s project had the best chance. I am committed to that project, and we just need to keep going to find the way to get it done.”
Ms Haylett said Labor has already allocated some funding to Deledio upgrades and that the housing sector is her passion and profession.
“I’ve met with both groups from these projects,” she said.
“A few weeks ago I was in Dunolly to announce over $700,000 for the netball courts, and that’s not a promise, that’s happening. That’s just the beginning of what Dunolly needs and I’m really committed to working with the community to get that project going.
“In the last five years I’ve been working in the housing sector, it’s my passion and profession, I’m really committed to more affordable housing options. The Dunolly housing project is really exciting and I want to work with them on it.”
Mr Quince said he was excited to learn more about local needs.
“I really don’t know much about Dunolly, but finish what you started before you start something else.”
In her closing remarks, Ms Haylett noted three key issues.
“The issues that I’ve heard loud and clear here are roads, healthcare, and cost of living. These are issues we need to address,” she said.
“I’ve worked in the road and rail infrastructure space before, I’m really passionate about improving our roads. We need to get it right. We need to stop doing so many patch jobs because they’re not working. I’ve directly spoken to the Minister for Roads about that.
“Healthcare is a priority for me, to upgrade our hospitals and more which I’ll be a strong voice for, but we also need to make sure there’s staff to work in our healthcare system.
“Cost of living — so many people have taken up the Power Saving Bonus, I know the Maryborough Community House, Mill House and Dunolly Neighbourhood Centre have been slammed by people to get their $250 bonus, and that’ll be reinstated from next year.
Ms Staley said first and foremost, her priority is the people of Ripon.
“My biggest priority is what it’s always been, and that is to put your needs first and be your voice in parliament,” she said.
“I agree with Martha that the three biggest issues are the health crisis, the pot holes on the roads, and the cost of living.
“What I’d say is Daniel Andrews who caused the health crisis and didn’t invest in roads is not the bloke to fix it. We need a new government, and I want to be part of that government. If I have that great opportunity to be reelected and be in government, I’ll be a minister.
During his final statement, Mr Quince said he would fight to legalise marijuana.
“When I started this someone asked me ‘what’s your policies’ and I didn’t have one, so the closest thing I have to a policy is to legalise marijuana,” he said.
“I’ve been talking to my mum about this and she’s incredibly conservative, but she started talking about my dad. Next week is the 20th anniversary of his passing. He died of motor neurone disease.
“In the last three weeks of his life, he was in a hospice and he was aggravated by the weight of a bed sheet. The only thing that brought him any comfort was slathering his body with hemp cream. It wasn’t impossible to get at the time, but it was very difficult for me to get it from Melbourne to Stawell to mum to use it on dad.
“I’ve spoken to many neurodiverse people, and people who use it illegally for depression and anxiety in a controlled manner. They’re not there to get stoned, they just want to get through a normal working day.
“I can’t find any reason why it’s illegal or why there’s so much bureaucracy around it.”
Victorians will head to the polls on November 26 to vote.