Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD)

www.canberra-alliance.org.au

CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS FOR THE 2016 ACT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

The electorate of Yerrabi

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 1

CONTENTS (CS= CANDIDATE STATEMENT ON FILE)

CONTENTS (CS= CANDIDATE STATEMENT ON FILE) ...... 2 INTRODUCTION ...... 3 ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES IN ACT FOR 2016 ...... 4 1. LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI ...... 5 Dave Green Liberal Democrat Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 5 Declan Keating Liberal Democrat Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 6 2. LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTORATE OF YERRABI ...... 7 Alistair Coe Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 7 Amanda Lynch Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi...... 8 James Milligan Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi...... 9 Justin States Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi...... 10 Jacob Vadakkedathu Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 11 3. LIKE CANBERRA CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTORATE OF YERRABI ...... 12 Tim Bohm Like Canberra candidate for Yerrabi ...... 12 Casey Heffernan LikeCanberra candidate for Yerrabi ...... 13 4. SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI ...... 14 Violet Sheridan Sustainable Australia Party Candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 14 Paul Gabriel Sustainable Australia Party Candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 15 5. LABOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI ...... 16 Meegan Fitzharris Labor Party Candidate For Yerrabi (CS) ...... 16 Jayson Hinder Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 17 Deepak-Raj Gupta Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 18 Suzanne Orr Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 19 Michael Pettersson Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 20 6. GREENS PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI ...... 21 Veronica Wensing Greens Party candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 21 Andrew Braddock Greens Party candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 22 Tobias Holm Greens Party candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 23 7. AUSTRALIAN SEX PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI ...... 24 Andrew Dewson Australian Sex Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 24 Susie Kennett Sex Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 25 8. UNGROUPED CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI ...... 26 Mandy Cottingham Animal Justice Party Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 26 Daniel Evans Independent Candidate for Yerrabi ...... 27 David Pollard Independent Candidate for Yerrabi (CS) ...... 28

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 2 INTRODUCTION

When Canberrans go to the polls on 15 October to elect a new Legislative Assembly, the ballot paper for each of the five electorates in the ACT will present them with between 18 and 30 names. Five candidates are to be elected from each electorate, thus expanding the number of future MLA’s from 17 to 25.

The voting paper will require that we rank at least our top 5 candidates and our vote will count for more if we can rank all of the candidates in our order of preference.

As voters, most of us know very little about most of the candidates. The material we receive in the letterbox and on the how-to-vote cards, and even on the party websites is often trivial and insubstantial.

In the past, we have left it to the political parties to decide who should represent us. The political parties are now somewhat on the nose and new ones seem to be forming every week. In a really healthy democracy it should be the voters, not the political parties who decide on who should be our representatives. To do that we need better information about the candidates.

The recently formed Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD), after consultation with the three main parties has sent to all declared candidates, an invitation to provide us with a single page pro- forma statement to place on our website. The responses are being incorporated in a separate file for each electorate, which will be freely downloadable by voters.

Each candidate has been invited to answer 3 questions, each in less than 200 words. a) These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. b) If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf. c) If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. They are also being invited to endorse or modify the following six point “Charter of Democratic Commitment.”

1. I will at all times tell the truth to the citizens and voters of Canberra and be honest in all aspects of my work as an elected representative of the people of the ACT.

2. I will fully disclose and make public the sources and value of all political funding donations, contributions, gifts public and private in line with ACT electoral laws.

3. I undertake to be fair, ethical, compassionate and diligent in serving my electorate and the nation at all times, and to uphold the Australian value of “a fair go for all”.

4. I will promote and support participatory and deliberative methods for policy, planning and legislative decisions.

5. I will place the public interest (the welfare and wellbeing of the community as a whole and the integrity of the planet) ahead of personal interests.

6. I will never abuse or misuse the allowances, subsidies, concessions and privileges accorded to me by the people of the the ACT and the ACT Legislative Assembly in my role as an elected representative.

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 3 ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES IN ACT FOR 2016

NEW SOUTH YERRABI WALES GINNINDERRA

MURRUMBIDGEE New KURRAJONG South Wales

BRINDABELLA

EXTENT OF MAIN MAP

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

NEW SOUTH WALES

New South Wales

Redistribution of the Australian Capital Territory into electorates pursuant to the Electoral Act 1992

Electorates for the ACT Legislative Assembly of Brindabella, Ginninderra, Kurrajong, Murrumbidgee and Yerrabi

Boundaries of electorates Division boundaries District boundaries

This map shows the boundaries of the ACT Legislative Assembly electorates of Brindabella, Ginninderra, Kurrajong, Murrumbidgee and Yerrabi and the number of members to be elected from each electorate as determined by the Augmented ACT Electoral 01234 Commission pursuant to section 35 of the Electoral Act 1992. Kilometres Roger Beale AO Phillip Green Dawn Casey

Dorte Ekelund Jeffrey Brown Cassandra Gligora

Augmented ACT Electoral Commission May 2015 Ref: x:\actlic\actlic geomedia\ACT Electoral Boundaries\2015 ACT Redistribution Boundaries

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 4 1. LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI Dave Green Liberal Democrat Party Candidate for Yerrabi

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 5 Declan Keating Liberal Democrat Party Candidate for Yerrabi

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 6

2. LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTORATE OF YERRABI Alistair Coe Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi

http://canberraliberals.org.au/our-people/coe/

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 7 Amanda Lynch Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi.

http://canberraliberals.org.au/our-people/lynch/

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 8 James Milligan Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi.

http://canberraliberals.org.au/our-people/milligan/

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 9 Justin States Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi.

http://canberraliberals.org.au/our-people/states/

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 10 Jacob Vadakkedathu Liberal Candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

http://canberraliberals.org.au/our-people/jacob/ My name is Jacob Vadakkedathu and I am standing as a candidate in the Yerrabi electorate

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 11 3. LIKE CANBERRA CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTORATE OF YERRABI Tim Bohm Like Canberra candidate for Yerrabi

http://www.likecanberra.com/tim_bohm

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 12 Casey Heffernan LikeCanberra candidate for Yerrabi

http://www.likecanberra.com/casey_heffernan

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Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 13 4. SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI Violet Sheridan Sustainable Australia Party Candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

My name is John Haydon and I am a candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Kurrajong. As president of the party, this statement covers all 10 of our candidates.

I am endorsed to represent SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALI A (ACT) These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. (No more than 200 words – in 8pt Arial font)

Please see background of all 10 candidates here: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/candidates/

If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf. (no more than 200 words – in 8 pt Arial font)

Established in 2010 from the political centre, Sustainable Australia is aims to secure an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable Australia.

In the 2016 ACT election our focus is to: 1. Save Canberra from overdevelopment - We will provide for proper community consultation in all development applications across the ACT. 2. Lower rates - By slowing population growth*, we relieve the ACT of the need to build and/or retro-fit so much budget-breaking complex infrastructure - like ever more trams, hospitals and schools. This budget relief will achieve lower rates than would otherwise be the case. 3. Protect our trees - By saving Canberra from ever more sprawl and infill overdevelopment we are the only party with a sustainable plan to protect our trees and green space. (*By withdrawing the ACT and its government agencies from proactive rapid population growth policies, and taking a more neutral position. See Policies below).

But we don't just focus on overdevelopment, rates and trees... We have released a range of ACT-specific policies including Economy & Jobs, Energy, Environment, Gambling, Housing, Planning, Public Service, Rates, Community Councils.

Further details here: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/act

If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. (No more than 200 words in 8 pt arial font, )

Sustainable Australia outlines important community consultations in our Policy platform, outlined here: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/act

We appreciate the good work of community organizations like CAPaD and if elected would seek feedback and input from CAPaD on our democratic processes. Rather than follow the specific CAPaD charter, we have developed our own significant policy framework that is underpinned by greater community consultation, transparent governance and participation through more transparent reporting of political lobbying and all financial contributions, and citizen initiated referenda or plebiscites Also see: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/security_privacy_governance/

Signed John Haydon Date 07/10/16

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 14 Paul Gabriel Sustainable Australia Party Candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

http://www.votesustainable.org.au/candidates/

My name is John Haydon and I am a candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Kurrajong. As president of the party, this statement covers all 10 of our candidates.

I am endorsed to represent SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALI A (ACT) These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. (No more than 200 words – in 8pt Arial font)

Please see background of all 10 candidates here: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/candidates/

If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf. (no more than 200 words – in 8 pt Arial font)

Established in 2010 from the political centre, Sustainable Australia is aims to secure an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable Australia.

In the 2016 ACT election our focus is to: 4. Save Canberra from overdevelopment - We will provide for proper community consultation in all development applications across the ACT. 5. Lower rates - By slowing population growth*, we relieve the ACT of the need to build and/or retro-fit so much budget-breaking complex infrastructure - like ever more trams, hospitals and schools. This budget relief will achieve lower rates than would otherwise be the case. 6. Protect our trees - By saving Canberra from ever more sprawl and infill overdevelopment we are the only party with a sustainable plan to protect our trees and green space. (*By withdrawing the ACT and its government agencies from proactive rapid population growth policies, and taking a more neutral position. See Policies below).

But we don't just focus on overdevelopment, rates and trees... We have released a range of ACT-specific policies including Economy & Jobs, Energy, Environment, Gambling, Housing, Planning, Public Service, Rates, Community Councils.

Further details here: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/act

If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. (No more than 200 words in 8 pt arial font, )

Sustainable Australia outlines important community consultations in our Policy platform, outlined here: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/act

We appreciate the good work of community organizations like CAPaD and if elected would seek feedback and input from CAPaD on our democratic processes. Rather than follow the specific CAPaD charter, we have developed our own significant policy framework that is underpinned by greater community consultation, transparent governance and participation through more transparent reporting of political lobbying and all financial contributions, and citizen initiated referenda or plebiscites Also see: http://www.votesustainable.org.au/security_privacy_governance/

Signed John Haydon Date 07/10/16

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 15 5. LABOR PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI Meegan Fitzharris Labor Party Candidate For Yerrabi (CS)

http://www.actlabor.org.au/meegan_fitzharris

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 16 Jayson Hinder Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi

http://www.actlabor.org.au/jayson_hinder

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 17 Deepak-Raj Gupta Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi

http://www.actlabor.org.au/deepak_raj_gupta

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 18 Suzanne Orr Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

http://www.actlabor.org.au/suzanne_orr

My name is Suzanne Orr and I am a candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Yerrabi I am endorsed to represent ALP

These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. If you asked me when I was younger if I saw myself as a politician, I would have said no. I grew up in Giralang playing cricket in our cul-de-sac and going to Brownies. I now work as an urban planner and I’ve recently bought my first home in Franklin.

Growing up, my family fostered more than 200 children because we wanted to help kids who needed it most. I learned that we can do a lot to help each other, but sometimes we can't solve all the problems ourselves. Luckily we had social services there to help and it showed me that government has a big role in helping when we need extra support.

I joined Labor when the policy area I worked in was dismantled overnight, and I realised how important it is to be involved where the agenda is set. I led a campaign with 350.org to end government investment in fossil fuel companies. The ACT Government heard our call and has now divested from companies that generated 60 gigatons of fossil fuels. For me, politics is about members of our community making a difference and that's why I'm running for the Legislative Assembly.

If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf. Growing up in Giralang, and now living in Franklin, I have seen Canberra change and grow. Yerrabi has some really new suburbs, like Crace and Franklin, but it also covers older, established suburbs like Kaleen, Giralang and Palmerston. One of the key issues for the area is keeping the balance between the needs of the communities in new areas that are growing rapidly, at the same time as providing for the more established areas where the needs of the community are changing as they age.

I believe we have to look after our environment so our environment can look after us. I would really like to see us be even more proactive about balancing our urban and natural environment. We’ve been really lucky in Canberra to have so much nature in our city. But as the city grows the pressures on the natural environment are going to get greater. We are going to have new challenges to respond to and some existing challenges will get more difficult to manage. I’d like to see us approach these challenges with a proactive attitude so that we can continue to benefit from Canberra’s natural environment.

If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. I know that engaging with constituents means more than one-way communication. I love hearing directly from people about their experiences, and throughout the campaign I have talked to hundreds of Yerrabi residents about what they love about living here, and the things that we need to do to make it better. For me, being a local member means being a champion and advocate for the local community.

As someone who is passionate about planning and good urban design, I believe there are opportunities to help improve the conversations we have in the community about development and consultation. This is a discussion I would like to lead as a local member.

I will abide by the CAPaD Charter of Democratic Commitments as follows: (NB If you are uncomfortable with the wording in any these statements, please amend them and show any amendments in italics and underline them)

1. I will at all times tell the truth to the citizens and voters of Canberra and be honest in all aspects of my work as an elected representative of the people of the ACT.

2. I will fully disclose and make public the sources and value of all political funding donations, contributions, gifts public and private in line with ACT electoral laws.*

3. I undertake to be fair, ethical, compassionate and diligent in serving my electorate and the nation at all times, and to uphold the Australian value of “a fair go for all”.

4. I will promote and support participatory and deliberative methods for policy, planning and legislative decisions.

5. I will place the public interest (the welfare and wellbeing of the community as a whole and the integrity of the planet) ahead of personal interests.

6. I will never abuse or misuse the allowances, subsidies, concessions and privileges accorded to me by the people of the ACT and the ACT Legislative Assembly in my role as an elected representative.

Signed: Suzanne Orr Date: 14 September 2016

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 19

Michael Pettersson Labor Party Candidate for Yerrabi

http://www.actlabor.org.au/michael_pettersson

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 20 6. GREENS PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI Veronica Wensing Greens Party candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

http://www.actgreens.org.au/veronica-wensing-for-yerrabi

My name is Veronica Wensing and I am a candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Yerrabi I am endorsed to represent the ACT Greens

These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. (No more than 200 words – in 8pt Arial font)

I believe in equality and a fair go, in protecting our environment and in promoting and participating in communities that are connected. I believe in equal access to transport, to education and health services, to housing and in the need to reflect the voice of the community in decisions that affect them. My experience includes having lived with domestic violence and sexual assault which has become a driving force behind what I do. I’ve spent many years working in the community services sector, including in youth homelessness services, women's refuges and for the ACT Council of Social Service. In 2009 I was awarded the ACT Telstra Business Woman of the Year for my work in managing the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. Over the years I have developed the ability to lobby and advocate with our politicians to improve service responses and I have provided formal advice to Government through appointments on a range of Ministerial Advisory! Councils.I’ve spent the last five years working in ACT Government, including as Manager for Office for Women and Gender Advisor to the NDIS taskforce, where I have learned about how the machinery of government works.I believe that this combined experience ideally places me to be an effective and competent member of the Assembly where I will ensure that my long term advocacy for the disadvantaged is maintained.

If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf.

Housing affordability and homelessness issues are high on my agenda. I believe that housing is a fundamental basic human right and that we need a range of strategies that address homelessness prevention, early intervention, crisis support and longer-term stable accommodation.I’ll support initiatives that help first home owners enter the market; help low income earners rent; support vulnerable people in our community; increase cooperative housing models; help people wanting to downsize; and reduce the financial reliance on government of delivering these services. We need to make homes more energy efficient, to improve quality of life and build the community engagement in the use of renewables and other energy technologies.Another key focus for me is addressing domestic and family violence and sexual assault. I will be promoting gender equality to help change the underlying attitudes that are held about women’s role in society as it is a critical part of reducing rates of domestic violence and sexual assault.I will support the establishment an independent integrity commission that is responsible for maintaining the standards of conduct, propriety and ethics in the ACT’s public services and politicians. I will work to ensure that all our policies and responses prioritise those who are the most disadvantaged in our community - people who live with low incomes, disabilities, or in other disadvantaged groups.

If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. Whilst talking to people in the community over the past months, many of them have commented that election periods are often the only time they hear from politicians. I have reflected on this and if I'm elected, I will endeavour to keep having these conversations. Politicians need to be accessible and stay connected to the very people for whom they are making decisions. I believe in an inclusive society where all Canberrans can participate in our community and live fulfilling and rich lives. I understand that many people don't engage with political processes so, targeted consultations will need to occur to ensure that people are not left behind and forgotten. This may involve face to face meetings, roundtables and on line processes. I will support a review of the Budget process in 2017 and make sure it is undertaken in consultation with the community, and with the express objective of establishing participatory budget setting processes in the ACT, so that it improves community ownership over the priorities set for the community, and it builds understanding in the community about why certain decisions might be taken ! I will abide by the CAPaD Charter of Democratic Commitments as follows:

1. I will at all times tell the truth to the citizens and voters of Canberra and be honest in all aspects of my work as an elected representative of the people of the ACT. 2. I will fully disclose and make public the sources and value of all political funding donations, contributions, gifts public and private in line with ACT electoral laws. 3. I undertake to be fair, ethical, compassionate and diligent in serving my electorate and the nation at all times, and to uphold the Australian value of “a fair go for all”. 4. I will promote and support participatory and deliberative methods for policy, planning and legislative decisions. 5. I will place the public interest (the welfare and wellbeing of the community as a whole and the integrity of the planet) ahead of personal interests. 6. I will never abuse or misuse the allowances, subsidies, concessions and privileges accorded to me by the people of the the ACT and the ACT Legislative Assembly in my role as an elected representative.

Signed by Veronica Wensing 9/09/16

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 21 Andrew Braddock Greens Party candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

http://www.actgreens.org.au/veronica-wensing-for-yerrabi

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Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 22 Tobias Holm Greens Party candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

http://www.actgreens.org.au/veronica-wensing-for-yerrabi

My name is Tobias Holm and I am a candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Yerrabi. I am endorsed to represent The Greens

These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. I am not a political careerist. I am not here to advance my own interests but to advance the interests of my community. I have had a varied life that has provided me with a wide perspective. I have lived below the poverty line but even then, I knew I was lucky because I had a roof over my head. I have seen how poorly we treat people in our community, particularly indigenous Australians and I have seen how countries such as New Zealand have been more successful in closing the gap. I couldn't ever claim to speak for a particular group but I will support them and I will make sure the quietest voices are heard by the deafest ears. One of my favourite quotes is that "you have two ears and only one mouth, so you should listen twice as often as you speak.” In short, my principal qualifications to represent Yerrabi are my empathy, my compassion and my determination to work with people to improve life in Canberra for everyone.

If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf. Social inclusion: my time living in remote aboriginal communities and my own experience living below the poverty line has made me acutely aware of the disadvantage that is so easily ignored. I want to make sure that the most vulnerable in our community are heard. Education: I have worked on university campuses for the last decade and I know that we need to do more to support everyone in gaining qualifications, whether that is a degree, a CIT diploma, or a trade. Education is an investment in our society, not a debt burden for an individual to bear. Gunghalin also has a severe shortage of primary schools (a legacy of previous governments) and so I am very proud that our MLA Shane Rattenbury (currently Education Minister) announced a school building package for Gunghalin. Mental health: Canberrans desperately need better mental health support. Many people have to travel interstate to see specialists and having to wait! three months for a referral to a psychiatrist is unacceptable when someone is clearly in danger of committing suicide. If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. I am very proud to be representing a party that believes so strongly in participatory grassroots democracy. Shane Rattenbury has made so many advances in this area already but there is more to do. I want to increase community consultation on local projects. Several attempts in the past term were hampered by a public service unfamiliar with the idea and poor communication in the meetings. I would work to improve this process and just not put it in the too hard basket. I would have an open door policy when it comes to constituent contact and I would seek out opportunities to engage people in my community myself, not just waiting for people to come to me. I would either seek out existing opportunities to report to my electorate (such as Gunghalin community Council) orcreate my own. I believe engagement, consultation, education and transparency are crucial for a healthy democracy

I will abide by the CAPaD Charter of Democratic Commitments as follows: (NB If you are uncomfortable with the wording in any these statements, please amend them and show any amendments in italics and underline them)

1. I will at all times tell the truth to the citizens and voters of Canberra and be honest in all aspects of my work as an elected representative of the people of the ACT.

2. I will fully disclose and make public the sources and value of all political funding donations, contributions, gifts public and private in line with ACT electoral laws. (Not only that – the ACT Greens commit to electoral funding reform: to ban political donations from developers, corporations and organisations with vested interests; only allow donations from individuals in the ACT and capped at $5000: require monthly public disclosure of political donations and funding on a public website in the nonelection periods and weekly disclosure during election periods. In the last week of the election campaign the ACT Greens would require daily disclosure from political parties.)

3. I undertake to be fair, ethical, compassionate and diligent in serving my electorate and the nation at all times, and to uphold the Australian value of “a fair go for all”. ( What about a fair go for those who need it most. The Greens will work to ensure that all our policies and responses prioritise those who are the most disadvantaged in our community – people who live with low incomes, disabilities or in other disadvantaged groups. We value the contributions of all people in our society and we understand that most people have times in their lives where they need support and assistance to get through. We believe in an inclusive society where all can bear arms can participate in our community and live fulfilling and rich lives.)

4. I will promote and support participatory and deliberative methods for policy, planning and legislative decisions. (The ACT Greens understand that community consultation and engagement must be meaningful; otherwise governments lose the trust of the community. There is no purpose to having community consultations when the outcomes have already been decided by government and where there isn't a meaningful opportunity to have an impact. We support the use of deliberative democracy! mechanisms and would like to see these mechanisms used more at specific decision-making points.)

5. I will place the public interest (the welfare and wellbeing of the community as a whole and the integrity of the planet) ahead of personal interests. (The ACT Greens are committed to putting the community first. That means putting the community and the planet we depend on ahead of big business and corporate interests. The ACT Greens are a member driven party that is made up of members of the community. They develop our policies and inform the decisions of our elected representatives for, and on behalf of the community).

6. I will never abuse or misuse the allowances, subsidies, concessions and privileges accorded to me by the people of the ACT and the ACT Legislative Assembly in my role as an elected representative.

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 23

7. AUSTRALIAN SEX PARTY CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI

Andrew Dewson Australian Sex Party Candidate for Yerrabi

http://andrewdewson.com.au

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 24 Susie Kennett Sex Party Candidate for Yerrabi

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 25 8. UNGROUPED CANDIDATES FOR YERRABI Mandy Cottingham Animal Justice Party Candidate for Yerrabi

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 26 Daniel Evans Independent Candidate for Yerrabi

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 27 David Pollard Independent Candidate for Yerrabi (CS)

Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD) www.canberra-alliance.org.au http://www.davidpollard.com.au Candidate Statement My name is David Pollard and I am a candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly in the electorate of Yerrabi. I am an Independent candidate, never having been part of a political party.

These are my principal qualifications for being a parliamentarian. I work in a family software development business performing a wide range of duties. What started as software development has grown to project management, contract negotiation and management, operations management, client liaison, classroom training, and more.

In recent years I have had the pleasure of being directly involved in community development through groups like the Crace Community Association (president), Gungahlin Community Council (treasurer) and my school P&C (president). I’ve represented Gungahlin in a community reference group for Light Rail. I’ve rallied community around charitable events such as the Gungahlin Movie Marathon and Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. I’ve developed strong ties and networks in grassroots communities around Yerrabi and Canberra.

That’s been hugely rewarding, and now I want to do more. Not only have I enjoyed my time empowering and representing communities, I’m good at it. I’ve seen the value of bringing people together, I’ve seen what people power can do, and I believe this is the best way for Canberra to grow – united in community.

If elected, these are the issues that I see as the most important for the long-term benefit of all my constituents and towards which I will be working on their behalf. Community consultation has missed the mark, and has impacts across all of Canberra. Empowered communities are such an important part of society, but the most common response I get when talking about community is “what community?”. I want to bring the focus of Canberra back to all Canberrans in a way that the major parties are not achieving at the moment. I am dedicated to remaining independent from the government, as a true community voice.

We need more trust in our politicians. This is an ongoing issue, not solved by a single measure. Transparency, accessibility and engagement are important steps towards this goal.

An independent crossbench doesn’t bring sweeping reform to specific agendas. Our value is tempering all agendas for the benefit of the electorate.

If elected, this is how I plan to represent my constituents. I.e. how I will engage with, consult and report to the electorate during my term in office. I commit to remaining an independent crossbench – I will not join the cabinet of the government of the day. This will allow me the freedom to fully represent my electorate for my full term in office.

As an Independent, I will have one boss – you, the people. I will not be beholden to any political party or interest group. I will be perfectly transparent about all dealings, because I firmly believe that is the best way democracy works. When everything is open, when our politicians and our public trust each other (it has to be both ways), I believe we can excel as a community, as a united Canberra.

Community engagement has to be an ongoing dialogue. It isn’t about one side talking at the other; it has to be a continuous conversation. As a born and bred local who has been volunteering in community groups for some time, I’ve got the benefit of deep community roots. I’ve had these ongoing conversations and I’ve seen their success.

I would love to see electoral offices, so that the day to day work of MLAs was more visible to the electorate.

I will abide by the CAPaD Charter of Democratic Commitments as follows:

1. I will at all times tell the truth to the citizens and voters of Canberra and be honest in all aspects of my work as an elected representative of the people of the ACT.

2. I will fully disclose and make public the sources and value of all political funding donations, contributions, gifts public and private in line with ACT electoral laws. *

3. I undertake to be fair, ethical, compassionate and diligent in serving my electorate and the nation at all times, and to uphold the Australian value of “a fair go for all”.

4. I will promote and support participatory and deliberative methods for policy, planning and legislative decisions.

5. I will place the public interest (the welfare and wellbeing of the community as a whole and the integrity of the planet) ahead of personal interests.

6. I will never abuse or misuse the allowances, subsidies, concessions and privileges accorded to me by the people of the ACT and the ACT Legislative Assembly in my role as an elected representative.

Signed by David Pollard Date: 16/09/2016

*See Section 14 ACT Electoral Act.

Authorised by Prof Bob Douglas on behalf of Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy 28