A TOOLKIT: How Carers in NSW Can Advocate for Change

A TOOLKIT: How carers in NSW can advocate for change

www.caringfairly.org.au Caring Fairly is represented in NSW by: www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly @caringfairly WHO WE ARE Caring Fairly is a national campaign led by unpaid carers and specialist organisations that support and advocate for their rights. Launched in August 2018 and coordinated by Mind Australia, Caring Fairly is led by a coalition of over 25 carer support organisations, NGOs, peak bodies, and carers themselves. In NSW, Caring Fairly is represented by Mental Health Carers NSW, Carers NSW and Flourish Australia. We need your support, and invite you to join the Caring Fairly coalition.

Caring Fairly wants: • A fairer deal for Australia’s unpaid carers • Better economic outcomes for people who devote their time to supporting and caring for their loved ones • Government policies that help unpaid carers balance paid work and care, wherever possible • Politicians to understand what’s at stake for unpaid carers going into the 2019 federal election

To achieve this, we need your help.

WHY WE ARE TAKING ACTION Unpaid carers are often hidden from view in Australian politics. There are almost 2.7 million unpaid carers nationally. Over 850,000 people in Australia are the primary carer to a loved one with disability. Many carers, understandly, don’t identify as a ‘carer’.

Caring Fairly wants visibility for Australia’s unpaid carers. We are helping to build a new social movement in Australia to achieve this.

Unpaid carers prop up Australian society. Like all Australians, unpaid carers have a right to a fair and decent quality of life.

Caring Fairly is advocating for vital reforms needed to bring fairness to the hidden world of unpaid care in Australia. We need your support.

With your support, we can shape a new public conversation about the value we attach to unpaid carers in Australia, and advocate for the changes urgently needed by so many Australian families.

We can only do this together.

Join the movement, shape the conversation, and lend your support to the Caring Fairly campaign and coalition at:

www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction @caringfairly

www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly

WHAT’S UNFAIR? THE KEY ISSUES

There are 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia, and over 850,000 primary carers.

Unpaid carers aren’t able to go on strike, but if they did, the Australian Government would have to spend over $1 billion per week on formal health and social care services.

Australia’s reliance on unpaid carers is unsustainable and unfair. Over two thirds of primary carers are women.

Many carers aren’t able to get paid work on an equal footing to other Australians. Many older carers retire with limited savings.

Young carers get a raw deal. Many children and young people who provide care to a loved one have poorer educational outcomes and fewer employment and training opportunities than other Australians. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE? THE KEY MESSAGES Caring Fairly believes the Australian Federal Government must take urgent action to bring fairness to care. It must look beyond short term policies, and invest in long term solutions. It must drive a cultural change in how we as Australians, value the unpaid carers in all our communities. Ahead of the 2019 federal election, our three key messages are: 1 Government must invest in the long-term economic security of unpaid carers

2 Government must make it easier for unpaid carers to balance work and care, on an equal footing with other Australians 3 Government must make sure that all young carers can be identified and assisted

These three key messages are drawn from Caring Fairly’s 2019 policy platform. To read the full document, and our evidence base, visit www.caringfairly.org.au. TAKE ACTION GIVING NSW CARERS A VOICE IN THE 2019 FEDERAL ELECTION

Within the next few weeks, Australians will go to the ballot box to elect a new Federal Government. Caring Fairly wants unpaid carers to shape the outcome of this election. We want to use our collective voice to achieve a fairer deal for carers, and a fairer society for all Australians.

It is essential that federal politicians hear from you to understand exactly what’s at stake in this election - in NSW, and for you, your family, and your community. Here are some ideas about how you can use your voice.

Ask your local senator to take action Meeting with NSW’s Federal Senators is a great way to influence the people who represent you at the highest levels of government. Senators hold substantial power within their respective political parties. Senators serve six-year terms in Parliament, making them the perfect driver for the long term policy changes we are seeking.

NSW has twelve senators. You don’t have to meet with all of them, but you can ask for meetings with each, or with one senator from each of the major parties, or any senator that you’d particularly like to speak to - the choice is yours.

As a constituent you are entitled to request a meeting with your Senators on any issue of importance to you. Here are some tips to make the process as easy as possible: • You can request a meeting by calling or emailing the Senators from your state. You can also use the letter template attached in this pack for some ideas on what to say • Expect to wait a few weeks before the meeting occurs • Plan what you’d like the Senator to know about your experience or situation and why you are passionate about changing things • Have a clear idea of what you’d like to ask them to do on your behalf - you can refer to the Caring Fairly key messages for some ideas • You can encourage your friends and family to sign the Caring Fairly petition in this kit and present this to your senator to show the widespread community support for change. • You can request a follow up meeting for a few months time to discuss and track progress on the issue • The more voices your senators hear from on this issue, the harder it beomes to ignore our voice, and our demands for change

Your NSW senators Senator Brian Burston Senator Jenny McAllister United Australia Party Australian Labor Party (02) 4959 1044 (02) 9719 8100 [email protected] [email protected] @Senator_Burston @jennymcallister Senator Doug Cameron Senator Jim Molan Australian Labor Party Liberal Party (02) 4751 4288 (02) 6284 3115 [email protected] [email protected] @JimMolan Senator Mehreen Faruqi Australian Greens Senator Deborah O’Neill (02) 9211 1500 Australian Labor Party [email protected] (02) 4367 4565 @MehreenFaruqi [email protected] @deborah_oneill Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Senator Marise Payne Liberal Party Liberal Party (02) 4226 1700 (02) 9687 8755 [email protected] [email protected] @Senator_CFW @marisepayne Senator Richard Colbeck Senator Arthur Sinodinos Liberal Party Liberal Party (03) 6424 5960 (02) 8289 9450 [email protected] [email protected] @richardmcolbeck @a_sinodinos Senator Kristina Keneally Senator John Williams Australian Labor Party National Party (02) 9891 9139 (02) 6721 4500 [email protected] @KKeaneally [email protected] @SenatorWacka WHAT’S AT STAKE THIS ELECTION IN YOUR STATE? Every election is often decided by a few marginal seats in each state. If you live in one of the following federal seats, it is worth contacting your local MP and candidates as well as your senator. If you are not sure which federal electorate you live in you can check at www.aec.gov.au. Do you live in one of the following?

Gilmore Robertson Cowper Lindsay Banks Macquarie Page Eden-Monaro Richmond Dobell

If you live in one of the following: Check out the Marginal Seats Guide at the end of this toolkit to discover a bit about the candidates in your local electorate and how to contact them.

Engage with your local support services Whether it’s an online support group or one you might attend in person - let your support networks know about this campaign and why you support it yourself. You can share our posters, petitions or social media graphics with the group but don’t forget to explain your personal perspective as a supporter of the campaign.

Not sure what support services are available in your local area?

Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. We can give you some information on what supports are available through our affiliated support organisations. You can also visit our NSW partners’ websites directly: • Mental Health Carers NSW - www.mentalhealthcarersnsw.org • Carers NSW - www.carersnsw.org.au • Flourish Australia - www.flourishaustralia.org.au/family-and-carers Host an event One of the best ways of spreading our message is through face-to-face conversations in a social setting. Hosting an event is also a really helpful way of engaging with other carers. The following ideas could be used to bring people in your community together to discuss this important issue. • A carers morning tea, hosted at your own home or at a community venue. This can be as informal or formal as you would like • Offer to run a social event as part of a carers support group or community group • Organise some friends to go with you to your local shopping strip and ask people to sign the Caring Fairly petition • Hold a carers craft afternoon • Anything that incorporates fun and social activities with activities to provide information about the Caring Fairly campaign Get creative There are creative ways to tell your story, and to be a voice for change. You might want to: • Write a poem; • Paint or draw; • Write a blog post; • Engage with your local community radio station; • Develop an outdoor display or mural; • Anything else you can think of that engages your artistic skills and expression.

Once your project is complete, be sure to share it with us online, through our website or the other links below. You can also tag us in anything you post on social media if you are posting it to your personal page. www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly Use the petition

The Caring Fairly petition can be found at the back of this toolkit. It is a simple and effective tool to start conversations about this important topic, and to demonstrate to politicians the collective power of unpaid carers in this election. You can ask your friends, family, neighbours and online community to sign to encourage government to prioritise carers at this election. You might want to keep a copy on your kitchen bench or deliver a copy of the petition to the letterboxes in your street. Most people will be happy to support the cause but they do need to be asked to do so.

Please let the Caring Fairly team know if you are using the petition, so that we can help you maximise your local and national impact. Send any completed copies of the petition to [email protected] and let us know how we can support you. : Advocate online

Modern elections: are fought online as much as offline. Using your social media presence to share your story, voice your demands, and amplify the messages of the Caring Fairly campaign are important ways to get the attention of politicians, and advocate for change. There are creative ways to tell your story, and to be a voice for change. You might want to: • Write a poem; • Follow and engage with Caring Fairly’s social media channels • Paint or draw; • Share Caring Fairly graphics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can find these at caringfairly.org.au • Write a blog post; • Use Caring Fairly frames on your profile picture on Facebook. You can find these at caringfairly.org.au • Engage with your local community radio station; • Share part of your story online, and set out the reforms you want to see from politicians in this election (more on this • Develop an outdoor display or mural; in the next section) • Anything else you can think of that engages your artistic skills and expression. • Create a 30 second online video (see below) • Engage in online support groups where appropriate and let people know about the Caring Fairly campaign and how Once your project is complete, be sure to share it with us online, through our website or the other links below. they can get involved You can also tag us in anything you post on social media if you are posting it to your personal page. • Engage with politicians and political parties online to raise awareness of the campaign • Engage in respectful conversations on Twitter and Facebook about your experience

When publishing your story - be sure to tag Caring Fairly on social media so we can help spread the word. You can use the links below to share.

www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly www.facebook.com/caringfairly @caringfairly

Not sure how or what to share online? Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. Someone from the campaign will be in touch to give you some advice about how to share your story online. Share your story online Sharing your experiences is one of your most powerful advocacy tools. It is one of the best ways to build a sense of connection and a way to captivate, and compel people to action.

Writing down your own experiences as a carer can be confronting, emotional, and challenging. It is important to reflect on your own boundaries around what you are comfortable sharing with other people; be they your family, friends, neighbours, local community or your online environment. Tips to try in sharing your story: Always keep in mind what the purpose of your story is. What message are you trying to convey? Why do you want people to hear about it? This will help guide the shape of your story and give an idea of where the particular points of focus should be.

Don’t worry about figures, data or metrics to include in your story. The value of your story is in your experience and the perspective you have as a result.

You don’t need to disclose every personal detail. Sharing your story gives you power over how much you disclose and to whom. You can choose to highlight particular aspects of your story depending on your comfort levels and your audience.

Sharing your personal challenges gives your audience something to relate to emotionally.

Make sure your story includes characters. Although you won’t want to disclose everything about them, don’t gloss over the participants in the story and their point of view.

There is political power in voicing common experiences. Most people will find it very easy to understand issues as they relate to family, or friendships, or challenges, as they are universal human experiences. Use this to your advantage and focus on the most universal aspects of your story.

Finish with a call to action. What do you want people to do now that they’ve heard your story? What action do you want to inspire from them? Crucially, what do you want your elected representatives to do? If you share our vision of ‘what needs to change’, we ask you to use our ‘key messages’, found earlier in this toolkit.

Need help crafting your story or not sure how best to take action? Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. Someone from the campaign will be in touch to give you some advice about how you can be involved! Create a 30 second video Filming a short video on your phone is a great and easy way of sharing your story, adding a human face to this important issue and getting public attention.

Caring Fairly can help make it even easier for you.

Examples of short videos from campaign supporters can be found on our facebook page at facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign

Caring Fairly would love to hear your stories via video and help you reach a wide online audience. We can edit, brand, and ‘polish’ your videos, if you want us to. When you tag Caring Fairly on Facebook or Twitter with your 30 second video, we will help you share and promote your video.

We are collecting the stories of carers to help raise public awareness of the campaign and make sure a wide variety of voices are heard. We are asking Caring Fairly supporters from NSW to record a 30 second video of themselves and submit the footage via our Facebook inbox or email: [email protected]. Make sure you tag us if you upload your video on social media as well.

Makre sure you tag us if you upload your video on social media as well!

www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly NSW MARGINAL SEAT GUIDE: THE TOP 10

Caring Fairly is non-partisan and apolitical. We want to see improved government responses, policies, and committments from all parties, politicians, and candidates. This information is accurate at the time of publishing and is subject to change. To stay up to date with election developments follow /CaringFairlyCampaign on Facebook.

Gilmore

ALP Candidate: Ms Fiona Phillips Ms Fiona Phillips has over 20 years employment experience in a range of areas including retail, defence & TAFE teaching, and she has lived in Gilmore for over 40 years. Ms Phillips has reinforced the stance her party takes on health care, speaking about MRI scans she said “We believe it should be your Medicare card, not your credit card, which determines your access to great healthcare in Australia – that’s why we’re committed to making health care more affordable. The Liberals have completely neglected MRI scans, granting only five MRI licences during five years in office.” She went on to say, “ Morrison and the Liberals have spent five years cutting the essential services middle, and working Australians rely on while giving tax handouts to the top end of town.” Email: [email protected] Phone: 0434 626 669

Liberal Candidate: Mr Warren Mundine Mr Warren Mundine is an Australian Aboriginal and the former national president of the ALP. He quit the ALP in 2012 and was appointed chairman of the Australian government’s Indigenous Advisory Council by the then prime minister, Liberal Tony Abbott. Mr Mundine is an advocate for Indigenous rights and has spoken out on the government’s proposed policy to have “culturally appropriate spaces” and “desig- nated Aboriginal waiting rooms” for indigenous people in hospital emergency departments across NSW. He said, “The real issue is…. how do we get patients through quickly and make the service a lot better? We’re trying to build a hospital service that treats everyone with respect. Everyone doesn’t matter who they are.” Email: [email protected]

Greens Candidate: Ms Carmel McCallum Ms McCallum is a pharmacist who has lived on the south coast since 1978. She believe in fully funding hospitals and local health services and ran as the Greens candidate in Gilmore in 2016 to “campaign for decent jobs, better working conditions and wages, more educational opportunities, and safety nets for those who need it”. Email: [email protected] Robertson

ALP Candidate: Ms Anne Charlton Ms Anne Charlton, Labor’s candidate for Robertson, has spent her working life dedicated to community service – in drug and alcohol services, in an Aboriginal medical service in regional Queensland, in the Federal Department of Health and on the Central Coast, working for Central Coast Family Support and currently in the Youth Program for Coast Shelter. She has previously spoken out, saying “The Turnbull Government has failed to deliver additional funds promised to fix the GP shortage on the Peninsula and has instead spent the money on committee meetings.” Ms Charlton highlighted this as a failure to address the health care needs of the Peninsula showing a lack of understanding of the local community. Ms Charlton has also campaigned over a numbers years for a dedicated palliative care facility for the Cen- tral Coast. She has said, “The Central Coast needs a dedicated palliative care facility to provide patients with the care they need and relieve the pressure on their loved ones. This requires a compassionate response from government.” Email: [email protected]

Liberal Candidate: Ms Lucy Wicks MP Ms Lucy Wicks has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Robertson in New South Wales, since her election in September 2013. Ms Wicks has been on the House of Representatives Standing Committee for Health, Aged Care and Sport since 2016. Ms Wicks has spoken on health reforms and initiatives that have had an effect on people suffering from mental health issues, including domestic violence. In 2016 she supported Australia’s first Health Care Homes, under the Turnbull Government’s Healthier Medicare reforms, being trialled in the Central Coast. Ms Wicks said that the Coalition Government is committed to improving aged care access in regional, rural and remote locations. Ms Wicks said: “That proposals targeting aged care in regional areas will be prioritised. This year presents a great opportunity for aged care operations on the Central Coast. We know how important it is to help local people continue to live in the communities they know and love. This is about providing more local care and supporting residents and communities.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4738 / Electorate office (02) 4322 2400

Greens Candidate: Ms Cath Connor Ms Connor has lived on the central coast for 27 years and has worked in community health and social work. She has been a full-time carer herself and has a “strong belief in the fundamental importance of social equity”. Email: [email protected]

Lindsay

ALP Candidate: Ms Diane Beamer Ms Diane Beamer has lived in Lindsay for 50 years. Ms Beamer represented her community for more than 20 years as a Penrith City Coun- cillor and as a State Member. As the Member, Diane opened schools, and secured investment for Nepean hospital. One of Ms Beamer’s main concerns is how the rising cost of living and cuts to local services will impact our community’s future. Ms Beamer posted on her page a condemnation of the government’s use of money, saying, “Only NSW Labor will invest in hospitals and healthcare instead of wasting $2.2b on Sydney stadiums!” Ms Beamer has shown her support for Bill Shorten and his healthcare policies, stating: “The health of our community is so important to me. Whether it be adequately staffing Nepean Hospital or making sure that our elderly are being treated with dignity and respect in our aged care system, there are few more important things than a properly funded healthcare system. At the start of this year, Bill Shorten MP announced that Labor will cap private health premiums for two years and undertake a wider review of sector to make sure that it is working in the interests of ordinary Australians. This cap will save the average family hundreds of dollars per year - a very welcome relief!” Email: [email protected]

Liberal Candidate: Ms Melissa McIntosh Ms Melissa McIntosh lives and works in Western Sydney. She is a mother of three and a passionate advocate about revitalising Penrith through sports and recreational facilities to encourage healthy lifestyles. In a February 2019 post, Ms McIntosh praised mental health services in the local community. She said “Listening to young people tell their personal stories of how headspace Penrith has helped them with their mental health issues and find a job, shows just how important the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program is. Today I joined Minister Paul Fletcher in the announcement of $520,000 from the Morrison Liberal Government for headspace Penrith to continue IPS for another two years. This means the great local headspace team can help more young people into work and education.” Email: [email protected]

Greens Candidate: Mr Nick Best Mr Best is a scientist who lives and works in Western Sydney. He explains on his website “I firmly believe the only way to secure Australia’s future is by prioritising environmental sustainability and social justice when structuring our economy, building infrastructure and creating jobs”. Email: [email protected]

Banks

ALP Candidate: Mr Chris Gambian Mr Chris Gambian was a union official with the Finance Sector Union and says that he is “passionate about helping those whose voices are not often heard in the corridors of power.” In an early statement, Mr Gambian said, “Our young people are struggling to get a job, and they need more and more qualifications to even get a look in; kids growing up in our area have to move away if they’re to have any chance at buying a house; and families are still struggling with the cost of living, especially on things like childcare” he said. Recently, Mr Gambian posted to his social media: “I’ve spent the last couple of days becoming a Mental Health First Aider — it was a great course that provided some really useful techniques for helping a person who is going through a mental health problem. And with 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health problem each year, we need more people with these skills so that they can get the help they need.” Email: [email protected] Phone: 0438 898 198

Liberal Candidate: Hon David Coleman MP Mr David Coleman is the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. In a media release earlier on this year, he welcomed an announcement that Padstow Community Care would receive funding, stating: “The funding provided to Padstow Community Care will offer assistance in the form of food parcels, clothes, bedding, household items, vouchers for utilities and supermarkets, and can include referrals to services for mental health, crisis housing, drug and alcohol issues or financial counselling.” Last year Mr Coleman also announced funding had been granted to the Autism Community Network (ACN) to “provide information, support and services to people on the Autism Spectrum, their families and carers, to help them lead confident and rewarding lives. The Network is staffed by mainly volunteers and was founded to provide parents with a community forum to share their experiences, questions and advice.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 7770 / Electorate office (02) 9771 3400 Greens Candidate - Mr Gianluca Dragone Mr Dragone is currently a student at UTS, studying communications. Mr Dragone has a particular interest in ensuring adequate social housing for Australians and properly resourcing overcrowded hospitals. Email: [email protected]

Macquarie

ALP Candidate: Ms Susan Templeman Ms Susan Templeman is the member for Macquarie. She was first elected at the 2016 election, but had previously contested the 2010 and 2013 Federal elections. One of Ms Templeman’s main campaigns is for home care packages for the elderly. She states that the Liberal government have let more than 120,000 older Australians suffer, including many with high needs such as dementia. Ms Templeman runs a petition led campaign to show the Morrison government that older Australians shouldn’t have to wait for the essential care they need. Ms Templeman emphasised this with an example, saying “Hazelbrook resident, Noeleen O’Beirne’s husband was one of the people waiting for an appropriate level of in-home care. Patrick died last year at the age of 90. He had been assessed more than 12 months earlier as needing in-home care. He was very frail, and Noeleen’s own health wasn’t up to the up to the heavy work involved in assisting him and, of course, while the rest of the family did what they could, support was sorely needed. Patrick was assessed as needing level 4 care, which is the top level of care. He may have been eligible to receive assistance with showering, dressing, home cleaning, help to use aids and appliances, some social support, meal preparation, medication management, nursing care, allied health support like physio, help with shopping, transport to get to appointments, and support with any changes to memory or behaviour,” she said. Ms Templeman is also vocal about mental health. In her maiden speech she stated, “Whether it is veterans in my electorate or the relatives of serving defence personnel, whether it is those caring for the elderly or whether it is mums struggling to know what is best for their anxious and self-harming child. This is something we have not yet got right. People who struggle with mental health, and the friends, families and carers who support them, need better tools and better support structures.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4784 / Electorate office (02) 4573 8222

Liberal Candidate: Ms Sarah Richards Ms Sarah Richards is a former director of Fitzgerald Aged Care in Windsor and is also a member of the community board of advice for Hawkesbury Hospital, which has shown her how she can give “a voice to people’s concerns” which they often raise with her. “I can be an advocate. I can be a conduit straight to the hospital,” she said. Mr Richards has shown her support on social media for funding for headspace Penrith, posting “We all know we need more mental health services in Macquarie. The people in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains will truly benefit from such a facility, especially after hearing the enthusiasm of the staff and success stories of two participants. This really excites me, and as an advocate for better grassroots mental health assistance, I will continue to work towards this in Macquarie.” Ms Rich- ards also welcomed the news that the government announced $1.45 billion in record funding for community health services. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0477 703 030

Greens Candidate: Mr Kingsley Liu Mr Liu is a lawyer who runs his own law firm and lives in the Blue Mountains. With a strong focus on environmental issues, Mr Liu has also named funding ‘world class public schools, hospitals, public transport and social services’ as a key priority if he were to be elected. Email: [email protected] Page

ALP Candidate: Mr Patrick Deegan Mr Patrick Deegan has worked in the social welfare sector, so is well aware of the issues of unemployment, insecure jobs, financial stress, homelessness, mental health concerns and cost of living pressures that are hurting the community. He also has an elderly mother and so values highly aged care services and places great importance on this support. Mr Deegan manages a regional service “supporting families that are impacted by domestic violence, homelessness, mental health issues and financial stress”. In an interview on his current role, he said it has provided “a good understanding of communities” adding his “first focus is to get out there and talk to voters and really hear from them about what they think the issues are”.Email: patrick. [email protected] Phone: 0409 325 699

Nationals Candidate: Mr Kevin Hogan Mr Kevin Hogan was elected to represent Page in 2013 and re-elected in 2016. He currently serves as the Nationals government whip. Hogan graduat- ed from Flinders University with a Bachelor degree in economics and worked in finance for over ten years. In an October 2018 media release, Mr Hogan supported the Coalition Government’s $51.8 million funding injection into mental health care for young Australians. He said “I want young people to know they are not alone on their journey, and that we’re backing them with quality frontline support. This is a good start, but more needs to be done to help younger members of our community. With an unprecedented $4.7 billion invested in mental health this year alone, our funding boost will help headspace meet the increasing demands for their services, today and in coming years.”

Greens Candidate: Daniel Reid Mr Reid has worked as a manager in hospitality since I graduating from high school until deciding to study politics and governance at Lismore’s South- ern Cross University. He is determined to hold the Nationals and Labor to account on environmental and social issues: Email: [email protected]

Eden-Monaro

ALP Candidate: Hon Dr Mike Kelly MP Dr Mike Kelly was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and re-elected in 2010. After being defeated at general elections in 2013, he was elected back into the House of Representatives in 2016. Dr Kelly wants to make sure the area’s local health services are properly funded. He supports National Mental Health Month and local causes like the Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network. In February, he referenced the fact that the previous federal Labor government had worked with the state to fund 20 mental health beds in Bega. Dr Kelly has spoken said on the local health care system, saying that the future of Medicare is a “universal issue for the region”. “I’ve had people on the phone to me in tears who are either chronic illness sufferers themselves or their partners or families are, and these changes will have serious impacts on their lives.” In his maiden speech, he said, “We have ongoing health issues in places like Pambula hospital, Tumut and Yass, and I have to advocate for their benefit in this place.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4496 / Electorate office (02) 6284 2442

Liberal Candidate: Ms Fiona Kotvojs A Director of Oxfam Australia, Ms Kotvojs is a volunteer member of the Rural Fire Service and has served as a member of the Australian Army Re- serve and as a Lifeline telephone counsellor locally. In December 2018, Ms Kotvojs said, “As a Youthline and Lifeline counsellor for 10 years, I know the importance of mental health. I was therefore really pleased to be able to join Senator Jim Molan at the opening of a new Headspace in Bega. This provides mental health and wellbeing support to 12 – 25-year-olds and will be implementing outreach services in Narooma, Eden and Cooma. It can also link young people to a drug and alcohol counsellor or with a GP for any physical or sexual health concerns, and provide support with education and work options or any other issues.” Email: [email protected] Phone: 0456 877 583 Greens candidate: Mr Pat McGinlay Mr McGinlay has worked across local, state and federal government in management positions, as well as running a consultancy in learning and development. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0479 163 706

Richmond

ALP Candidate: Ms Justine Elliot Ms Justine Elliot was Minister for Ageing from 2007-2010 and on the House of Representatives Standing: Health and Ageing from 2004 - 2007. As the Federal Labor MP Ms Elliot is proud to have delivered more than $2 billion for local roads, schools, health and community resources. Ms Elliot vot- ed very strongly for decreasing the private health insurance rebate. During the Rudd administration, she campaigned for Aged and Community Care Funding due to the population ageing and increasing demands on the aged care system. In a media release, she stated, “Increased funding from the Australian Government will bring direct financial support for aged and community care providers to care for older Australians to a record level of $44 billion over the next four years,”. Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4554 / Electorate office (07) 5523 4371

Nationals Candidate: Mr Matthew Fraser Mr Matthew Fraser is a small business owner and long-time national candidate, having run for Richmond twice before. In 2016 he stated: ‘‘Having a real vision for this area, and being prepared to stand up to the “big two” parties is the only way that we are going to get the real money we need for better schools, hospitals and to make this community the Healthy Lifestyles Capital of Australia.’ In a February 2018 post made to Hogan’s official political Facebook page, Hogan criticised the cutting Labor’s proposed hospital cuts. He said: “It’s a double whammy in Tweed! Labor’s Justine Elliot MP not only wants to tear down our new hospital but now she’s putting the health of illegal immi- grants above locals. What’s next?”

Greens Candidate - At the time of publication a Greens candidate was yet to be announced Dobell

ALP Candidate: Ms Emma McBride Ms Emma McBride has worked in the pharmacy sector for over 15 years and is passionate about mental health. In her first speech to Par- liament, she stated: “Whilst on the topic of health, I thought I would take this opportunity to speak about an area that I have worked in for 15 years, and that is very close to my heart, mental health. As you may know, October is Mental Health Month, this week is Mental Health Week and yesterday was World Mental Health Day. Each month, week and day that we mark as a community to recognise mental health is important, to focus on how far we have come and how far we have to go. As a pharmacist, mental health worker and carer, I will use this platform so that in the future those living with mental illness and those who love and care for them will live better. Despite the barriers broken down, the programs launched, the modest boosts in funding, stigma persists, and lives are being lost.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4515 / Electorate office (02) 4353 0127

Liberals: At the time of publishing there was no annouced Liberal candidate for this seat.

Greens Candidate: Mr Scott Rickard Mr Rickard has spent the past twelve years working as a union organiser as well as studying a Bachelor of Paramedia Science. One of his key priorities is to “fund world class public schools, hospitals, public transport and social services” for the Central Coast. Email: [email protected]

Cowper

ALP Candidate: Mr Andrew Woodward Mr Andrew Woodward runs his own management consulting and marketing communications practice dedicated to climate change activities. He has worked with the Keating and Carr Labor Government ministerial offices and is a member of the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN). Before politics, he played a role in the successful bid for the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic games and worked in executive positions with Tourism Australia and Visa Inc. In a 2019 social media post, Mr Woodward criticised the coalition for being anti-public in matters of health, education, and transport, which he wants to change. He said: “The Libs and Nats don’t like public health, public transport, public education, public broadband and public broadcasters. They don’t like the public, full stop. Labor does, and public education is top of the list. It’s time to change #Cowper to Labor.” Email: [email protected] Phone: 0401 041 929

Nationals Candidate: Mr Patrick Conaghan Mr Patrick Conaghan practiced law for 18 years and has run his own practice for 16. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr Conaghan was a police officer for 12 years. In a December 2018 post to Mr Conaghan’s official political Facebook page, he supported investments in mental health services for young Australians. He said: “Over 20 per cent of 22,000 teenagers surveyed consider mental health issues in the top three of their concerns. This number has doubled over the past 7 years. There are two questions that should follow: Why, and what can we do about it? The Federal Coalition pledged a further $52 million towards youth mental health in May this year, $12 million of which has been allocated to Head- space which runs 107 youth mental health centres across Australia.”

Greens: At the time of publishing there was no annouced Greens candidate for this seat. Help bring fairness to unpaid care Sign to show your support for greater fairness and recognition for carers.