Federal election 2022: Durack candidates give views on cost of living, top electorate issues

Candidates for the sprawling Durack electorate have just four weeks to convince constituents why they should be elected their Federal Member. Some locals may have already made up their mind about how they will be voting on election day, but the Geraldton Guardian has put five questions to candidates to help constituents who are still on the fence. Labor candidate Jeremiah Riley What are the top three issues which you think need addressing in Durack? Cost of living, health, and housing. Labor has a plan to address each of these that is strategic and costed to make sure wages improve, more people can get into their own home, and that Medicare is protected. Why should people vote for you? I’m local, I care about my community, and I have the proven skills to deliver for Durack. I’m part of the Durack community so I know and understand our region well. I have been advocating for Durack communities for most of my working life, I fight for them, and I get results. Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? Anthony Albanese, because, like me, he cares about the people of regional WA, not just the money that comes out of our industries. He sees us as communities first, rather than just a cash cow to fuel the Federal economy. Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? Travelling about the vast Durack electorate has been part of my working life for years. I will continue to do that and be a genuine part of the Durack community, living and working here, and working with my team to ensure we are active, present, and listening across the whole electorate. What will you do to support those affected by the rising cost of living in Durack? Labor has a plan to increase wages that, under the current Government, have not kept up with inflation. We will also deliver lower cost childcare and restore and improve Medicare. More manufacturing here means more jobs, and improved secure work. The current jobs figures are misleading as we have so many people in insecure work, and on low wages — we have a highly casualised workforce under the Morrison Government. Labor supports secure work, and wages that keep up with inflation. Labor will also ensure our pensioners are not forced on to the cashless welfare card. Nationals candidate Ian Blayney What are the top three issues which you think need addressing in Durack? Health, telecommunications, and law and order. Why should people vote for you? I had a good record for working hard in Geraldton, and delivering. I look forward to working closely with local governments across Durack (many of whom I’ve got to meet and know over the last 12 years), and the State Government. While Member for Geraldton, I was spokesman at various times for Forestry, Fisheries, Agriculture, Regional Cities, Asian Engagement and Veterans and Defence. These are all important across Durack. I also did everything I could to help the emergence of the mining sector in the Midwest, following being elected with the Barnett Government in 2008. Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? Scott Morrison will be the best choice, by far. Only the Liberal-National Coalition delivers for the regions and electorates like Durack. Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? I’ve served over 12 years as a State MP, and I’m used to dealing with diverse and complex constituent issues. I’m prepared to travel constantly across the electorate to maintain constituent contact. I’ll maintain offices and have hard working staff. I’ll use traditional methods of communication such as publishing a regular column, letters, and newer electronic communication such as email, Facebook and Twitter. It’s important to use all means to maintain contact and availability. Every constituent deserves strong representation in Canberra. What will you do to support those affected by the rising cost of living in Durack? Temporary support was provided in the recent Federal Budget to reduce fuel prices for six months. Families need access to affordable childcare, we need less red tape for small business and more affordable housing to attract and retain essential workers across Durack. Greens candidate Bianca McNeair What are the top three issues which you think need addressing in Durack? Climate, cost of living, and dental and mental health into Medicare. Why should people vote for you? The Greens is the only party with a fully costed plan for a better future for everyone. We fundamentally believe that everyone should have what they need to live a good life, and we aren’t held back by corporate donor interests. We’re a diverse party which reflects the diversity of the Australian communities. Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? One who’s in the balance of power with the Greens, one who cares about the real issues and not their corporate donors. Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? By concentrating on being the Member for the people of Durack, which is a unique electorate and deserves the full focus of their MP. I’m a proud Malgana woman who has lived and worked in the Durack region all my life, so I’m aware of our regional issues, and experienced in working across diverse groups. What will you do to support those affected by the rising cost of living in Durack? We need to properly tax billionaires and big corporations. This will enable us to create secure jobs, houses, healthcare, education and aged care that is accessible to all people, especially those in the regions. Because the Greens don’t take donations from fossil fuel corporations, we’re unafraid to make them pay their fair share. United Australia Party candidate Andrew Middleton What are the top three issues which you think need addressing in Durack? Bring back freedom: No vaccine mandates/passports, no digital ID/cashless society, enact a bill of rights, and return to Constitutional, rule of law-based governance.Protect and grow industry: Process Australian minerals at home, no net zero by 2050, no further regulation/exclusion of Australian-owned commercial fishing in marine parks.No selling of key infrastructure (ports, farms, airports) to China, or any foreign nation. Why should people vote for you? The Liberals have held Durack since 2010, but have achieved little. Durack needs fresh blood representing it, an alternative to the Liberal-Labor duopoly. For over a decade, I’ve been a fighter for freedom, peace, privacy, and reducing taxes on working class people, and in Parliament I will fight for a fair go for Durack. Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? United Australia Party Leader Craig Kelly. Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? Durack is one of the biggest electorates in the world, but that’s no excuse for its representative to not show their face in many cities/towns during their term in Parliament. I will transit around the electorate via the most cost-effective method — driving — wherever possible/practicable. This will reduce the cost to the taxpayer of the travel entitlement granted to MPs.Given the size of Durack, the issues facing constituents do vary greatly. I will consult with local residents, business owners, and community services (police, welfare groups, etc) to understand those issues, and act accordingly. What will you do to support those affected by the rising cost of living in Durack? The UAP advocates for a 20 per cent tax concession for people living 200km or more from capital cities, a permanent freeze to the Federal Government’s fuel excise, and an increase to the aged pension of $180/fortnight. Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party candidate Brenton Johannsen What are the top three issues which you think need addressing in Durack? Crime, health and cost of living. Why should people vote for you? Having lived most of my life in regional Australia and now raising my children in Karratha has shown me that we need a strong advocate for regional communities which have been left behind in funding, population growth and community development by the major parties. And now that the McGowan Labor Government swept through the “one vote, one value” there is a desperate need for a strong voice for regional areas in Western Australia.Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? Pauline Hanson, she will fight for every Aussie! One Nation’s policies align with what the Australian on the street is talking about, she is passionate and loves this country.Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? Having travelled the majority of the electorate, I will now be heading back to the Pilbara and then on to Kimberley in the next few weeks. I will base myself in Karratha with regular travelling to south, east and north, andI can also be contacted by phone, email or Facebook.What will you do to support those affected by the rising cost of living in Durack? As per One Nation’s budget reply, we will push for a cut in the PBBS co-payment for medicines. Also Pauline Hanson was the major voice to have the fuel excise cut, although One Nation wanted this for 12 months, Liberal and Labor only voted for six months. I will also advocate for a $100 a week rise under the Work Bonus scheme that would allow pensioners to earn more per year without reducing their pension. Great Australian Party candidate Adrian McRae What are the top three issues which you think need addressing in Durack? The priority will be to end the vaccine mandates and the discriminatory vax-passports.Let’s get people back to work and businesses opening again. Our communities are being divided and the cost of living, high rents and social issues in many regional towns are forcing families back to Perth.Why should people vote for you? Standing for the Great Australian Party, I represent the conservative alternative. Australia is losing its way. We are no longer governed in our own right to support the Aussie battler. Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? The pandemic has shown that the traditional political duopoly of Liberal/Labor does not represent everyday families anymore. With little variation between their policies, they are essentially “two wings of the same bird”. By placing the lazy major parties last and supporting the minor parties first, Aussies CAN change their future!Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? As my tour progresses I’m keen to hear people’s opinions and am available by phone, social media and email to discuss what changes you want to make for your country’s future.What will you do to support those affected by the rising cost of living in Durack? Hardworking communities in Durack are being blackmailed by the overreach of their own government. From “two weeks to flatten the curve”, our lives are now “four jabs to feed our families”. This ongoing fear, combined with expensive childcare, fuel costs and rising rents, is pushing normal people beyond their financial limits. By ending the vaccine mandates we will have the strength to fight our other challenges head on. Liberals candidate and Durack incumbent Melissa Price What are the top three issues you think need addressing in Durack? I believe the current concerns about the cost of living in Geraldton are real and something that I am watching very closely. In Durack people can travel great distances so I understand that the price of fuel is key to many in the Mid West. The Morrison Government’s budget was focused on the rising cost of living for all and as a Cabinet Minister I have certainly pushed my regional electorate of Durack to the front of my colleagues’ mind. I believe equity of education is critical and that is why I have continued to secure funding and support for local schools and the Geraldton Universities Centre. Road safety is important and I am very happy that the Cathedral Avenue roundabout has improved that for all residents and travellers in Geraldton, as has the recent announcement of $22.4 million for the important Mid West Secondary Freight Network. I am determined to diversify the Midwest economy. To create more jobs and opportunities for our businesses. I was particularly proud of our Government’s $1.25 billion dollar investment in the new rare earths refinery being built at Iluka Resources Eneabba mine. In Geraldton, Strike Energy is developing its low carbon fertiliser facility, having recently been awarded Federal Government Major Project Status. As the Minister for Science and Technology, I am determined that Midwest businesses will benefit from the SKA project, following our $387m upgrade to the Murchison’s radio telescope. Why should people vote for you? I am feeling very positive about Geraldton and the Midwest’s future. I welcome the election campaign and believe the Morrison Government has a good story to tell. I am proud of the support the Midwest community received during the pandemic with JobKeeper payments in Durack supporting 9,200 businesses and 33,900 employees and the record funding assistance secured of more than one $100 million to assist impacted communities recover from ex-tropical cyclone Seroja. I don’t take the privilege of representing Geraldton, the Mid West and all the people of Durack for granted. I will be fighting for the opportunity to continue being their local member. I will spend the campaign travelling around the electorate talking and listening to as many Durack constitutes as possible about what matters to them. Who would be the better Prime Minister for Durack? I believe that Scott Morrison has been a very strong leader during very difficult times. There is no doubt that he is the better Prime Minister for Australia, including Durack. Given the huge size of the electorate, how will you make yourself available to constituents? I am proud to represent the largest electorate in Australia. I am conscious of visiting and staying in touch with all the regions in my electorate, working with my Durack team. We are dedicated to the service of all those who call Durack home. I have proudly been the strong voice of regional WA in the Federal Cabinet. Fighting for better roads, telecommunications, project funding, support for our volunteers and our vulnerable community members. There is always more to be done in such a large electorate, but I am dedicated to Durack.