Page 25 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • ADVERTISEMENT

Get to know two of the main contenders
for the long-held LNP seat of Leichhardt.

Elida Faith Phillip Musumeci

AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS

Elida is a former Centrelink worker and a working mum who’s A fourth generation North Queenslander, Phillip comes with
lived in Cairns for 21 years. She was also the ALP Leichhardt engineering and teaching experience and is hoping to serve the
candidate in the 2019 election. local community with a common-sense approach.

Favourite thing to do in FNQ? Visit Rusty’s Markets and local Favourite thing to do in FNQ? See the set of five cascading
businesses, as well as walk through Redlynch Valley to unwind waterfalls near Mirriwinni and cycle down the Byerstown Range
and appreciate our fantastic surrounds. at speed when fundraising with the Cardiac Challenge.

How do you plan to regenerate and preserve our How do you plan to regenerate and preserve our
World Heritage sites? Labor has committed to boosting World Heritage sites? The Great Barrier Reef will benefit from
conservation efforts by doubling Indigenous rangers and new funding for plastic recycling and ship pilots preventing
promising to fund the Reef 2050 program. We’ll also support carrier damage. We’re also proposing funds for a new
coral to coast reef resilience and land restoration projects in reef sustainable agriculture research centre to accelerate adoption
catchments that will aid the 64,000 jobs supported by of sustainable land management, and will support farmers
the reef. collaborating with researchers to improve water quality.

What are your priorities in post-COVID economic recovery? What are your priorities in post-COVID economic recovery?
If there’s anything COVID taught us, it’s that Australia must be The Greens want to properly tax billionaires to support
a place that makes things – that’s why Labor will be building our regional universities, as part of our national plan for free health
manufacturing sector. We have committed $50m for CQU, and and education. We also want to kickstart a rapid transition to
Labor will make TAFE free for Australians that are studying in 100 per cent renewables and help local manufacturers transition
areas with skills shortages, including right here in FNQ. away from coal and gas to expand into new sectors.

What’s needed in the Far North to address GP shortages? What’s needed in the Far North to address GP shortages?
We’ll make it easier for GPs to work in outer suburban and We need to train more of our own doctors and incentivise
regional centres, including here in Cairns. But we also medical careers in regional areas. Our plan to restore free
understand the GP crisis is broader; it’s about the strength of university education will attract medical students from all
the Medicare system, as well as training and providing more regions and walks of life who have previously baulked at this
support to our overstretched GPs and other health workers. most expensive university course.

What changes would you support to asylum seeker policy, What changes would you support to asylum seeker policy,
if any? If I’m fortunate to become the next member for if any? The Greens plan to establish a regional solution for people
Leichhardt, then I’ll have the opportunity to speak with my seeking asylum and end the extravagant spending on Manus
colleagues about asylum seeker policy and form an educated Island and Nauru. In the long term, our economic transition to
stance on this. renewables would ameliorate climate change which will reduce
the likelihood of mass migration to Australia.
How would your party act on Australia's defence capabilities?
Labor understands national security is a top priority and How would your party act on Australia’s defence capabilities?
we've committed to a defence force posture review to ensure To prevent ADF lives and capabilities being wasted in
our people and assets are where we need them. The Morrison ill-conceived wars, the Greens have introduced a Bill to ensure
Government likes to talk tough on defence, but it's failing when parliament decides whether Australia engages in future wars.
it comes to the actual delivery of the defence capability we need. We value self-reliance, so promote defence procurement that
does not restrict the operations of the ADF by increased reliance
What's an issue you would cross the floor for? I am so proud of on any one country.
the policies that Anthony Albanese is taking the 2022 election
– they will directly create real secure jobs for the people in What's an issue you would cross the floor for? If elected I would
FNQ by bringing back manufacturing, investing in education be representing both the Queensland Greens and Queensland.
and ensuring our health and aged care system is looked after. If the Australian Greens proposed laws that the Queensland
Leichhardt needs a voice in Canberra, and a fighter who Greens disagreed with, I’d vote with the local party on behalf
will deliver. That’s what I am and will remain focussed on. of Queenslanders.

[email protected] [email protected]

25 • tropicnow.com.au