On the eve of the federal election, Coast Community News spoke to the candidates of the two major parties in the seat of Robertson.
With polls wavering, the race between sitting Liberal member, Lucy wicks, and Labor candidate, Dr Gordon Reid, is likely to be close. We asked the two why Central Coast residents should vote for them.
Reid: renewables, wages and the ABC
Reid said people in Robertson want change across “multiple areas”, including health, the environment and small business support.
“We have had the same old tired government for the past decade; we have a trillion dollars of debt and nothing to show for it,” he said. “Wages are stagnant and the cost of living is skyrocketing.”
Reid said one of Labor’s flagship policies was rewiring the electricity grid to make it more efficient, and investing in renewables.
“We are also advocating for community batteries across the nation and for electric vehicles to be made cheaper towards achieving our 2030 emission targets and net zero emissions by 2050,” he said.
“The community batteries would see solar panels on people’s roofs feed into the batteries, which would feed back into homes when the sun is no longer shining, during that peak evening period.”
He said these measures would see a major reduction in power costs for Coast residents.
Reid highlighted Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s suggestion of lifting the minimum wage by 5.1 per cent. He said the rise, for the 2 per cent of the population on minimum wage, was essential.
“These people need a pay rise,” he said. “Wages are stagnating. Without (the rise) people’s standard of living will decline.”
Reid said Labor was committed to funding the ABC and SBS.
“Australia needs an independent source of news and these services are also essential for emergency and disaster notifications,” he said.
Reid said if he is elected on May 21, the Coast can expect a local Member who is “accessible and dependable”.
“You can rely on the fact I will make sure it is easier to see a doctor,” he said.
This would be supported by moves to make it easier for doctors to relocate to the Central Coast and the provision of an urgent care centre in the electorate, he said.
“We will also support small businesses and jobs growth,” he said.
Wicks: strong achievements
Incumbent Liberal member, Lucy Wicks, said residents could expect a returned Coalition Government to build on the “strong achievements” it had already delivered.
She touted the Government’s $85M contribution to the Central Coast Clinical School and Central Coast Research Institute and its $18M commitment to a university on the old Mitre 10 site in Gosford as two of the biggest achievements.
She also highlighted the Government’s recent commitment of $2.2M to keep the successful Health on the Streets Program (HoTS) program running for three more years.
Wicks said the Government was still committed to delivering commuter carparks for Woy Woy ($5M) and Gosford ($30M).
“When you make a commitment you need to see it through,” she said.
“We are still committed to a Performing Arts Centre for Gosford but that is in the hands of Council.
“Construction of the new Woy Woy carpark will begin by the end of the year.”
Regarding the Gosford commuter carpark, Wicks said there had been “frustrating delays” but she had been working “night and day” to overcome obstacles.
“When Council went into administration we had to find another partner to deliver the project and Transport for NSW is looking at sites,” she said.
Wicks said she would stand by the Government’s track record of balancing the national budget and dealing with “one of the greatest challenges, certainly in my lifetime” in COVID-19.
She said the Government response, including the JobSeeker and JobKeeper schemes, had helped businesses on the Central Coast get to “the other side” of the pandemic.
“We have the highest vaccination rate in the world and one of the lowest mortality rates,” she said, while also pointing to falling unemployment figures.
Wicks said the spotlight shone on conditions in Parliament by Brittany Higgins had impacted her deeply.
“It forced me to face some of the challenges I have (had) in my lifetime and I hope I can use that experience for good,” she said.
Wicks said she would be a voice in Parliament and the community not only to end the cycle of abusive behaviour in the workplace and in homes but to reverse it.
“The Respect at Work review is a great step but it’s not enough,” she said.
“This incredibly brave young woman started the conversation but there is a long way to go.”
Terry Collins