Independent running for democracy

Penny Ackery has had a lot to contend with in this federal election campaign particularly as a community independent candidate in a largely conservative electorate, but more so with the loss of her husband of nearly 30 years, John, who passed away two weeks ago.

Ms Ackery was spurred on by her husband not to “drop the bundle”. She has taken his words on board and despite it being a difficult time is rallying on and happy to be out and about campaigning for change.

The independent was picked from four community candidates in Hume in November 2021 and has been heavily campaigning to raise her profile she said some people have welcomed her as a “voice” for their concerns.

Her discussions with the community have centred on integrity, cost of living, lack of wages growth, aged care, NDIS support as well as environmental issues.

“Front and centre for most people, is cost of living, integrity and the issues around China and the Solomon Islands; this is something that a number of people have mentioned during our door knocking sessions.”

Ms Ackery said integrity and renewable economy as well as women’s equality and domestic abuse have also been discussed.

“Everyone I have been speaking to, are looking for a change.”

She has had conservative voters talking to her about looking elsewhere; they are unhappy with the two party system and would like to see a “third option”.

“It doesn’t matter what parties people are from…somehow the party system is not serving us as well as it could and really need to get back to integrity in our democracy and we need to feel that our government and the politicians and the leaders within the government are actually being accountable…

“This is the time to rescue our democracy…people feel that they don’t have the trust in government that they used to have.”

She backed it up by saying too many decisions are being made behind closed doors or under “commercial in confidence”.

Ms Ackery said she isn’t part of the “teal group”.

“We are not a movement or a group…what I am doing here is vastly different from the other independents in other electorates.

“This is a rural out of the limits of the city electorate vastly different from the inner city areas…it’s a big electorate and the issues are quite different…roads are a huge issue on a local level, communications or lack of, mobile and internet reception…

Ms Ackery said her only announcement is “if we want integrity back in government and want our democracy back you need to vote for an independent. In this election you vote one for me.”

Time for change in Hume

For Greg Baines he has adopted the ‘underdog’ status as the Labor candidate for Hume.

Mr Baines thinks it’s a two horse race between Labor and the Liberal. But, is “happy to see a strong independent, because it gets people thinking about their vote. 2022 is a very serious election and everyone has a very big decision to make.”

“It’s been a conservative seat for 50 years,” the teacher from Gunning said.

Coincidentally, he turns 50 this year and seems the right time for a change.

“I think Hume has been neglected, I think we have a member of parliament here who often absent and people complaint that people don’t see him.”

Mr Baines thinks politics should be done differently and is prepared to go out and meet the people when needed and engage with residents and business.

He said the climate change is real and is an issue that needs to be addressed in government.

The top three to do on his list includes:

A green and connected Hume, eliminating mobile blackspots and greater NBN fibre to the premises connection; mitigate against environmental change and developing green industry with a jobs focus, and; to do politics different ICAC is the first step and caps on campaigning and make sure politicians are out and about.

“Often politicians tell us what we think we need to hear; I want to be the politician that travels and understands the electorate and represents them in parliament, even if that means some difficult conservations with my own party.”

When asked if Labor has lost its grass roots, he said the party is adapting to the changing demographics.

“The Labor Party of 2022 is a Labor Party that does address those changes. We are offering free TAFE courses in areas of skills shortages for tradies and small business.

“I think our telecommunications and infrastructure policies are great for the farming community. I think we have changed, but demographics has changed as well.”

Mr Baines said his party has real polices to reduce “costs of living”. He recollected his own adolescences trying to make ends meet and said in “a country as rich as ours I think that is unacceptable.”

“We have practical policies…to lower electricity with solar banks and community batteries…there are very concrete things…it will take time to address the problems.”

“Most Australians work very hard, yet they are being left behind. It make me angry to see that. The gap between rich and poor which is growing motivates me.”

Mr Baines appealed to conservative voters to look at Labor’s “strong policy platforms”.

“We are the strongest option in Hume.”

Candidates vying for Macarthur

Macarthur candidates in order of ballot positions

1. Jayden Rivera – The Greens

2. Binod Pauder – Liberal

3. Mike Freelander – incumbent, Labor

4. Rosa Sicari – United Australia Party

5. Scott Korman – Liberal Democratic Party

6. Adam Zahra – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

When voters go to the polls on Saturday, May 21, they will be deciding who will be their representative in Macarthur. Here is a snapshot of the candidates who responded to requests from this newspaper.

The Greens Macarthur candidate Jayden Rivera has lived within the electorate for the majority of his life.

“I have also been working in the community for over 12 of those years in various hospitality jobs as well as being active in the local sporting community.”

Mr Rivera is no stranger to politics having had a go at the 2019 federal election.

“I am running again this upcoming election because I am passionate about seeing necessary change in our community including pushing for free dental and mental healthcare being covered under Medicare for all.

“Free public transport, increasing minimum wage and support payments to align with the cost of living increases and tackling climate change and protecting our local wildlife. “The Greens have a plan by ensuring everyone pays their fair share,” he said.

Incumbent federal Labor MP, Dr Mike Freelander is recontesting the seat for a third time. He was first elected in 2016.

Dr Freelander, a paediatrician, moved to the Macarthur area in 1983 has been in Campbelltown for nearly four decades and has been committed to giving kids the best start in life. In his many years as a paediatrician in the Macarthur region, Dr Freelander has seen more than 200,000 patients; and his interest to enter politics stemmed from his patients and their families.

He said they were trying to navigating access to healthcare, access to work, access to housing and access to education.

He would like to see – a child development unit in Macarthur and better healthcare, child care and aged care services. He is also pushing for better infrastructure such as a heavy rail link from Macarthur to the new Western Sydney Airport and upgrades to Appin Road.

Dr Freelander has also been working to develop policies and combat attacks on Medicare, the NDIS and aged care residents.

He is also focused in protecting the local environment by preserving the koala population and “calling out the poor development policies of governments and developers”. He has been successful in securing upgrades for Wedderburn Bridge and the newly built Passfield Park School.

Adam Zahra, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate has a vested interest in ensuring Macarthur can provide his three daughters children the same, if not greater opportunities for their future.

He wants to ensure Macarthur gets its fair share of federal support. “For too long Macarthur has been underfunded,” he said.

“We are part of an enormous growth belt in in south western Sydney. With an international airport under construction, we do not have the infrastructure to meet the growing demand.”

He said Macarthur, which has around 174,000 people, is set to double by 2040.

“The greater Macarthur area needs a second public hospital.”

He said the area also needs a children’s hospital.

“It is unreasonable for the greater Macarthur community to continue to travel 45-60 minutes to get specialist emergency care for our kids.”

He believes there is a lot of work to be done to get Macarthur out of the blue and into the black – with new energy, orange energy.