The Greens have announced Heather Foord as their candidate for the Swansea electorate in the NSW election on March 25.
A Lake Macquarie local, Foord describes herself as being passionate about people and social justice and said she decided to run for The Greens after seeing so many people in the community being let down.
“Whether it be in the struggle to find work, access mental health services, or receive adequate living allowances and pensions, people need better support from the NSW Government,” she said.
With two children under the age of five, Foord is focussed on campaigning to fight the climate crisis.
“I want to ensure Swansea’s beautiful beaches, bays and bush can be enjoyed by the next generation.
“Our children deserve to have a safe and secure life, the same as we, their parents, and grandparents have enjoyed.
“We need a rapid reduction in carbon emissions this decade.
“We must support workers with training and incentives to take up jobs in emerging clean energy industries as coal and gas reliant jobs decline.
“Better support for the vulnerable in our communities is needed, as well as increased investment in public education, and respect and value our First Nations peoples – recognising they are the world’s oldest continuous civilisation,” Foord said.
The Greens campaign launch for Foord was held on Saturday, January 21, supported by The Green State Member of the Legislative Council, Abigail Boyd.
“I’m delighted to have such a high quality candidate standing for The Greens in Swansea,” Boyd said.
“The people of Swansea would be so well-served by having Heather as their representative in NSW Parliament.
“Intelligent, caring and principled, she would make a real difference to the lives of the residents of Swansea.
“With climate, cost of living and the integrity of our political system being of huge concern to so many across the state, now more than ever we need Greens in parliament to hold the major parties to account and to keep pushing for action on the issues that matter most.
“This election will be vital in determining the future of our state.
“Only The Greens have the courage and vision to ensure that the future of NSW is an equitable and sustainable one,” Boyd said.
Foord has worked in media for over a decade focussing on health journalism. She holds a Bachelor of Communications, a Diploma of Pilates and is completing a Bachelor of Health Science.
Foord is a member of Wallarah Rural Fire Service and owns two pelvic floor and core rehabilitation studios in Sydney and Lake Macquarie.
She is also an ambassador for the performing arts and will be performing in New York’s Carnegie Hall along with the Waratah Girls Choir in April 2023.
Swansea electorate takes in areas on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie including all north-eastern Central Coast suburbs from San Remo and Budgewoi northwards.
Verified source: The Greens, Lake Macquarie
I hope that if elected, Ms Foorde will look at helping the residents of Swansea to access better bus services going south to the Entrance. Currently the services are terrible and worse than they were 10 years ago. It takes hours, sometimes with 2 buses, poor services on weekends, and so hard for the less mobile. It’s time the elderly and young mothers with prams had an express service south to good shops and facilities.