Federal election Q&A: Hear from the O’Connor candidates about who they are and what they can do for Kal

Lindsay Cameron, Trumpet of Patriots Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? I am a father and grandfather, living in Albany, and I am very conscious of the deteriorating state of Australian lifestyles due to irresponsible governments. Trumpet of Patriots have realistic policies to address the cost-of-living and housing crises by reducing immigration, opening up land for housing, curtailing international purchase of properties in Australia, releasing superannuation funds for a house deposit, and capping interest on housing loans at 3 per cent. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? Trumpet of Patriot national policies are already geared toward reducing cost-of-living and increased housing, which will necessarily result in employment opportunities, increased infrastructure and economic growth in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Personally, I am committed to protecting our right to freedom of speech and choice, to protecting primary producers (such as sheep and broad-acre farming), and to reducing crime through stronger police presence and through meaningful discussions about underlying issues that produce social disturbance. What do you want voters to know about you? I was raised on a farm in Queensland and relocated to WA as my children established their own households. In between, I have worked in construction as a young man, and in senior leadership globally and domestically for most of my working career. I have a PhD from ANU, and currently pastor for a small congregation in Katanning. What else would you like to say to voters? My biggest grief in this hasty election campaign is that I have not been able to visit communities across O’Connor. If elected, I will immediately commence a program of visitation and community discussion across the electorate, with the intention of hearing your concerns. A new broom sweeps clean. Giz Watson, The Greens (WA) Inc Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? I want to be a voice of change for O’Connor. So many of us in the regions feel ignored, neglected and forgotten by the major parties. I’m a former WA State MP and have devoted my life to protecting WA’s environment, advocating for social justice, and working to create a peaceful and just world, and I’m ready to bring my experience to being the member for O’Connor. The Greens have a plan to address the biggest issues facing our electorate. From housing and homelessness, to cost of living and climate, the Greens are ready to tackle these issues head on, where the major parties are tinkering around the edges, playing politics while people suffer. This election we have an opportunity to elect more Greens to parliament, and hold the balance of power. The Greens are in reach of seats right across the country, and it’s looking more likely every day that the next parliament will be hung, and Labor will have a choice to negotiate with The Greens, or with the Liberals. Voting Greens is the best way to hold Labor to account, and push them to act on housing, climate and cost of living. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? The Greens are committed to supporting the region’s local farmers by mitigating the effects of climate change, opposing fracking and stopping new coal and gas projects. I understand the urgent need to act on climate change, as we see the effects of unprecedented heatwaves, fires, and low rainfall already affecting regional communities in WA. As part of the Greens election platform, we’re committed to enacting legislation that ensures farmers are prepared for these impacts, and fully supported to transition to regenerative and sustainable practices by establishing Green Agriculture Australia with $250 million in funding. The Greens grilled the CEOs of Coles and Woolworths last year about their price gouging and monopolistic hold on farmers. We know they can afford to pay a fair price for the produce grown by Aussie farmers, and we are going to work to make sure they have to. The big supermarkets are ripping off farmers and consumers, and taking home the biggest supermarket profits in the world. The Greens have a plan to stop supermarket price gouging, make big corporations pay their fair share, and cap excessive salaries for CEOs. What do you want voters to know about you? This isn’t my first time throwing my hat in the ring — I was proud to represent WA’s North Metropolitan Region in State Parliament for over 16 years. I was effective then in making bold, progressive legislative changes to prevent nuclear waste from being stored in WA, stop uranium mining and advancing the rights of the LBTQIA+ community. I’ve lived all over WA’s south coast, but these days, my feet are firmly planted in Albany. I’m still dedicated as ever to provide voters with sensible and straightforward community representation, working in the spirit of consensus but also standing firm on matters of principle. The Greens are bringing more than our signature environmental policies to the table this election — we’re also committed to stopping supermarket price gouging, ensuring that GPs are accessible and free no matter where you live, bringing dental and mental health into Medicare and regulating the big banks to deliver cheaper mortgages. What else would you like to say to voters? We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. I’m here to deliver you with a genuine, progressive, local choice. I’m committed to providing cost of living relief, making sure healthcare is affordable and accessible wherever you are, and tackling the climate crisis. Labor and the Liberals won’t challenge the big corporations that bankroll their campaigns in return for favourable policy, but we will. The Greens don’t take corporate donations, so we can’t be bought out. We’ll always represent the interests of the community. Voting Greens is the best way to hold Labor to account, and push them to act on housing, climate and cost of living, while ensuring Dutton stays far from the Lodge. Nothing changes if nothing changes, so this time, vote 1 Greens. Heidi Tempra, The Nationals Party of Australia (WA) Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? The area of O’Connor represents all of the best parts of regional Western Australia. From the natural resources, landscapes, communities and its people, it is essential to me that this uniqueness and understanding of regional Western Australia be appropriately and strongly represented in Canberra. This is where I live, and it’s worth fighting for. The needs of this area have been neglected for too long I will take great pride in placing these issues back on the agenda to ensure action is taken. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? I strongly believe that the Nationals are the only party that has our local communities at heart and aren’t afraid to stand up. The Nats have always been the country party and listen to what communities are telling them. One of the main issues relating to the Goldfields area is one of infrastructure, with many resources well last their use by date and this is impacting in people’s everyday lives. With the recent policy announcement of the Regional Australia Futures Fund, we can ensure that money is regularly allocated for long term growth, including the updating and replacing of relevant infrastructure. It’s also clear that families are struggling with the cost of living, and need real action that will help their back pocket now, not in 15 months. By halving fuel excise, we will provide immediate relief to those who need it most. What do you want voters to know about you? My commitment is to be a hard worker and do everything in my power to make sure that the area of O’Connor gets the recognition and respect it deserves. I am determined, passionate and not afraid to hold people and policies to account that do not benefit the people and communities in this electorate. My role is to listen, support and if necessary, go in to fight, to represent the people who placed their faith in me to do this role. What else would you like to say to voters? I would like the opportunity to add that I am keen and will bring a new perspective and presence to the role. I believe it is time for a change and let the Nationals do what is does best, representing country WA. Philip Arnatt, Legalise Cannabis Party Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? I want to represent and serve the people of O’Connor, not the political party I belong to. Which in the case of the old four parties, Labor, Liberal, National and Greens, means serving a party run and controlled by the Eastern States. I will be a truly independent member, fighting for O’Connor, and I will work with whoever the people of Australia elect as their next Government to address cost-of-living pressures, the housing crisis and regional development. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? I will be fighting to end discrimination of medicinal cannabis users in the workplace and on the road. No-one should lose their job taking medication as prescribed by their doctor — but at present, that’s the reality many medicinal cannabis patients face. I will push for changes to Federal laws currently preventing the State’s from legalising cannabis and hemp to allow the State’s and Territory’s make that decision for themselves. I will support an expanded hemp industry to, among other things: * Produce biodiesel, which can allow mining companies to de-carbonise without the expense of changing over to electric vehicles. * Help solve the housing crisis by building modular, hemp-crete homes rapidly and at scale using a sustainable and renewable building product that grows in 14 weeks. * Remediate and decontaminate degraded land, whether that be agricultural or mining areas, to restore our environment and arable lands. * Bring investment, jobs and wealth back into the regions. What do you want voters to know about you? I have lived in the O’Connor area since 1966. I’m a father of four and very proud of them. I’ve been a brick paver and a ceramic tiler for over 25 years and then up to 2016 I studied and obtained Cert 3 and 4 in Aged Care and have worked as an aged and disabilities carer as well. That’s why I’m passionate about cannabis to help people maintain wellness and a calmer happier existence. What else would you like to say to voters? The big four parties (Labor, Liberal, National and Greens) have let down rural and regional WA for decades. It’s not a slight on the members who have represented these regions, but a simple product of the fact those big four parties are all controlled by the Eastern States — who simply don’t put WA first. I will always be focused on the needs of the people of O’Connor, not the needs of my party, and if we want change then I ask voters to consider Einstein’s theory of insanity — doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. On May 3 the voters of O’Connor can send a message to the major parties that you won’t be taken for granted anymore and vote 1 Legalise Cannabis Party. Rick Wilson, Liberal Party Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? I want to complete the work which I have started over the years. Projects such as the Laverton Hospital, The Outback Way and even the cashless debit card have will all have a positive impact on the Goldfields community. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? The Liberal Party is focused on reducing cost of living pressures on families and getting the Federal Budget back under control. We have committed to halving the fuel excise by 25c per litre which, for remote communities like the Goldfields, will help families and businesses by reducing how much they pay each time they go to the fuel bowser. It also helps reduce transport costs through the supply chain, which should lead to lower prices at retail end for groceries and other items delivered to the region. We will also work to get the Federal Budget back on track through growing our economy. We can do that by supporting our key economic drivers such as the minerals and agriculture sector. We will fight Labor’s nature positive laws and we will fight Labor’s cultural heritage laws which all add cost and uncertainty for businesses and the economy. We will support resources projects throughout the Goldfields region and allow it to continue to power the region and the Australian economy. What do you want voters to know about you? After four terms representing the people of O’Connor there probably isn’t a lot the people don’t already know about me. But over my time in Federal politics, I have proven to be an effective representative and advocate for our region. Projects such as the Laverton Hospital, The Outback Way and the cashless debit card are all substantial projects which make meaningful difference to our community. I am as committed and enthusiastic as I have ever been to represent the Goldfields region and continue to get genuine outcomes which support the community. What else would you like to say to voters? We need to get Australia back on track. We need to get the budget back under control and we need to get cost of living down. We can do both by supporting key sectors such as the minerals and agriculture sectors through reducing red tape and bureaucratic interference, and support those businesses to do what they do best. We can do it by bringing down energy prices through getting more gas onto the domestic market and investing in sustainable and reliable energy such as nuclear power. We need to get this country back on track and we need your vote to do it. Darren Moir, Australian Labor Party Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? I had been sitting on the tractor grinding my teeth at the way the conservative parties have been borrowing ideas and slogans from overseas, I think it’s just madness. We need a government backing all Australians not one that divides us and upsets our trading partners. I like the way the Albanese Government conduct themselves, and the measured and diplomatic way they are handling the turmoil in the world, they have runs on the board negotiating an end to the China tariff mess left by the Morrison Government so barley, wine and lobster producers can get access to that market. When Dutton’s Liberals announced they would be putting the taxpayer on the hook for their nuclear reactors, $600 billion dollars and more expensive energy at the end of it, that was what really got me going – I was in a position to put my hand up to join the Albanese team and keep good sensible government going and so I did. A re-elected Labor Government means a stronger economy, a government building Australia’s future, more cost of living relief and a stronger Medicare. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? I want to make sure the people who live across regional Western Australia like me have a voice at the table in Australia’s Parliament and are heard. The Albanese Government has spent the last three years advocating for people across the country, not just in the cities, and I want to be a part of that team. Just the other day, the Prime Minister was in Perth to announce that a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will work with the Cook Labor Government to bring Western Australia’s freight rail network back into public hands. Also, I’m happy to announce a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will help upgrade Bayley Street in Coolgardie. The works will include new parallel parking bays, new pedestrian crossings, more road markings, extra road resurfacing and upgraded drainage to reduce flooding. What do you want voters to know about you? I’m a committed family man, a fifth generation farmer who loves where he lives and what he does. I’m an active volunteer — with 28 years of service in my local fire brigade and 10 years as a volunteer ambulance officer, that’s of course alongside volunteering at the kids’ sport and school fundraising. What else would you like to say to voters? I’m a progressive bloke who knows the only constant in the world is change and even though that makes your head spin at times, change isn’t slowing anytime soon. Let’s pull together in these uncertain times and not let others pull us apart. Who would want to stand against a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable society? — we are greater because of our commitment to it. The fair go is what Australia is all about. I’m committed to ensuring the success of the Albanese team, with your vote I can represent the region I love with my all. Gemma Johnston, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Why do you want to be the Member for O’Connor? To be a strong voice and true representative for the area, I believe in providing consistent, genuine engagement with the people of O’Connor. During my time on (Esperance) council, I’ve learned that representation only works when people feel seen and heard — and you can’t hear the people if you don’t go out and meet them. I’m passionate about making sure our regional and remote communities receive the same level of service and infrastructure as our metropolitan counterparts. It’s unacceptable that people in O’Connor still can’t rely on safe roads, dependable internet, or basic transport infrastructure. I live in the Shire of Esperance, home to the largest road network in Western Australia, yet Federal funding remains inadequate. The same goes for airport upgrades and mobile connectivity. These are not luxuries — they are necessities for safety, economic development, and daily life. What will you/your party be able to achieve for the benefit of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields region specifically? Back in 2018, when the major parties failed to deliver critical medical infrastructure for Kalgoorlie, it was One Nation that stood up and fought for what this region deserved. Thanks to the advocacy of our members, Kalgoorlie finally received an MRI machine — essential medical equipment that should have been provided long before. That meant residents no longer had to make the long and stressful journey to Perth for vital scans and treatment. It was a win for common sense and a clear example of what can be achieved when we put people first. If elected, I will continue to be a strong, proactive representative for the region, just as our previous members have been. Because O’Connor deserves better and I’m ready to deliver. What do you want voters to know about you? I am a passionate and motivated person who will always fight for the rights and freedoms of everyday Australians. I’m not here to play politics—I’m here to represent the real concerns of real people. There is far too much bureaucracy and red tape standing in the way of common-sense outcomes. Too often, decisions are made by people who have never set foot in our communities, who don’t understand our livelihoods, and who refuse to listen. That’s not good enough. My local community has experienced this first-hand during my time on council. I’ve been actively involved in standing up for the majority of our residents, especially in opposing the recently gazetted Labor political marine park — a decision pushed through without proper consultation, and against the interests of the people who live and work here. It’s just one example of government overreach and disregard for regional voices. I believe in accountable leadership, grassroots representation, and cutting through the red tape to deliver practical results. If elected, I will bring that same energy, determination, and straight-talking advocacy to every issue that matters to our region. What else would you like to say to voters? Our platform includes tangible solutions: cutting the cost of living, supporting family tax reform, prioritising affordable housing, strengthening healthcare access, standing up for our farmers, reining in immigration to a sustainable level, protecting responsible firearms ownership, and opposing radical environmental overreach. I’ve fought hard for our communities against the rushed and divisive South Coast Marine Park, which has been imposed without transparent public consultation, purely to tick Labor and Greens policy boxes. I will continue to resist top-down decisions that disregard the people most affected. If elected, I’ll fight for: our farmers against the damaging bans and the excessive regulations; Opposing radical environmental overreach including Labors recent ’30 by 30’ Roadmap; Immediate investment in regional affordable and key worker housing; More GP’s and increased healthcare options for our regional areas; Upgrades to regional airports for reliable transport; Quality aged care that allows our elderly to remain close to loved ones. I will be a strong, present, and passionate advocate for the people of O’Connor — someone who doesn’t just speak for you, but listens to you. Australian Christians candidate Deonne Kingsford did not submit answers to our questions.