To the people of Mackellar, I am humbled and honoured to be your community-backed Independent candidate for Mackellar at the next Federal election.
I am a local mum and doctor, and have been working and living in our community for 22 years. I first worked as a doctor in the emergency room at Mona Vale Hospital, before becoming a local GP in Narrabeen. Now I hope to serve our community as Mackellar’s independent voice in Parliament.
Three years ago, when my youngest son’s friend told me “You adults have failed us on climate change”, I knew I had to act. I soon started a local community group that aimed to reduce waste and pollution. Then in early 2020, when the air was thick with smoke from the Black Summer bushfires, and my patients were suffering from the physical and psychological impacts, I looked to Canberra and our local MP for leadership. Unfortunately both our current representative, and leaders in Canberra, were found wanting.
In fact, at the height of the Black Summer Bushfires, our current MP sent out a tick-a-box survey to find out what issues were important to this electorate. Climate change
did not even appear on that list and it struck me that we, the residents of Mackellar, were not being heard.
To protect our treasured way of life in Mackellar, I believe we must take immediate action to address climate change. And that will be one of my priorities should you elect me to represent our community in Canberra.
When it comes to protecting our way of life, we also need to end the PEP-11 oil and gas licence, which allows for drilling off the coast of our beautiful beaches, for good. Our current member had the chance to vote to end the licence in Parliament recently but chose instead to vote with Barnaby Joyce in a move that keeps the PEP-11 oil and gas drilling licence alive. In fact, the company that owns the licence is currently tendering for suppliers.
If I am elected at the next election, I will vote to kill off the PEP-11 licence for good and ensure oil and gas companies can never drill off our beautiful coast.
There are also many other issues that, while I know are important to our community, are not being represented or acted on by our current representative in Canberra. I will support our local small businesses and I will bring decency to Parliament.
In order to tackle the critical issues our community faces, from Covid-19, to our economic recovery from the pandemic, to climate change, we need good government. That requires integrity at all levels.
As an independent in Parliament, I will champion an independent commission against corruption to hold our government accountable. I will speak out on issues of integrity and ensure that Parliament is a safe and respectful place for women to work, lead and thrive.
As a doctor, I’ve cared for our community for 22 years, as we raised our family here in Mackellar.
As your independent MP in Parliament, I will fight to safeguard our climate and our environment. I will help small business and the local economy thrive and support the physical and mental health of our community.
I hope that as I travel throughout the Northern Beaches over the next few months, I get to meet many of you, hear your concerns and understand what matters to you most. And after the next election, I know that together, we can take the spirit of Mackellar to Canberra.