MY candidature as the National for Indi as a strong, local voice in the coalition government is an opportunity to ‘hit the reset button’ in Indi and return to stable, productive representation - representation that really can deliver for our community.
My commitment to making Indi the very best place to grow a family and a business is a deeply personal one.
I have a young family and come from a farming and small business background.
Every single day I experience the struggles that go into to making a living in the regions.
Every day I ask myself what can be done better.
I think everyone in our community recognises that recent events have highlighted the urgent need for stability in Indi.
The campaign focus has been taken away from policy and delivering and stolen by soap opera but I am not interested in this way of operating.
We need to stop this incessant focus on the past, on she said, he said and would haves, could haves and should haves.
As the elected member my only focus would be that the needs of Indi -strong regional growth - are met.
As a National, my priorities are building stronger regional economies and secure communities, delivering opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians and ensuring a sustainable environment.
I pride myself on proudly being part of a party that provides a considered and common-sense perspective on all elements of Government policy and a balance between Australia’s political extremes.
The thing that really separates us as Nationals though is that we are the only party that is solely focussed on rural and regional communities and has the clout to get good rural outcomes.
Black spot funding for communities and the effects test to support small business are just two areas we have seen this show serious results for regional Australia.
I am aware of the need for effective and fast communication taken for granted by our city competitors.
Education is another area where fast and effective telecommunication services are vital.
The growing trend toward online education especially at a tertiary level demands fast and reliable internet coverage Australia wide, keeping the jewels of our communities, our youth, at home and away from the cities.
My priority for Indi is ‘jobs jobs jobs’ and ensuring that this region has the adequate growth in retail and farming to ensure that those jobs are created and remain.
As part of a strong Nationals team, I recognise individual achievement, the importance of free choice and a fair go, reward for private enterprise, the need for equity investment and wealth generation in the regions is critical to the future of our nation.
I think that many politicians have overlooked the farming families that make up so many small businesses; you only need to look within our Indi communities to see that if we don’t focus on these small business, our community has no way to thrive.
As a father of a young growing family I am passionate about living in a regional area of Australia and the benefits that this environment can offer my children.
The Nationals are passionate about quality schools and education services, ensuring children and especially youth, living in the regions are not disadvantaged by excessive travelling to larger regional areas.
I am out and about everyday listening to Indi issues, for those of us who have families and businesses and people we care about to focus on – we don’t want games or arguments taking up Indi oxygen.
If people are talking Indi, they should be talking about the amazing opportunities our community boasts, talking about the action that needs to be taken to address our challenges and putting in to place strong, long term solutions.
That’s what the Indi conversation should be.