CAP CANDIDATES FOR 2016 ACT ELECTION

MICHAEL LINDFIELD

 

On Saturday 15 October 2016 you will have an important decision to make.  You will be voting for candidates to represent you in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

I am standing as a candidate for the Community Alliance Party, Canberra's fourth oldest political party. I want to represent you in the new Electorate of Murrumbidgee. If I am elected, my pledge is to ensure:

* the ACT government is accountable to you;
* your rates, taxes and charges are not wasted on fanciful undertakings;
* political stability by allowing the government to pass its budget following a community consultation processes; and
* support more community participation in the decision making on matters of public importance.

I have a strong record of positive community involvement for over 25 years. I have led many local non-profit community groups, sporting and small business. I am trusted and respected. I deliver tangible outcomes for my community. My community achievements include introducing Canberra's first Community Bank branches at Calwell and Wanniassa and laid the foundations to include Curtin. This community driven commercial initiative:

* created local employment opportunities with salaries in excess of $500,000 remaining in the community;
* re-introduced of face-to-face and over-the-counter customer services;
* personalised branch manager services;
* returned school banking and passbook accounts; and
* increased business activity and growth/investment at suburban hubs.

I also chaired a community group alliance - the Tuggeranong Community Council, Valley FM, the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Lake Tuggeranong College, The Vikings Group, and Communities@Work - to persuade the ACT and Federal governments to design, fund and construct an outdoor performing stage in Tuggeranong Town Park.

As the immediate past President of Tuggeranong Festival (serving a record ten years), I led it through a growth period of increasing community group participation levels from 30 to over 65 groups, stallholder participation from 12 to over 95 and sponsors from 15 to over 30. The Festival is a respected annual free-to-the community family event which carries the motto of bringing the community together.

As Convener of Brindabella Residents' Group, I have made submissions to the ACT Land Development Agency on the future planning of the Woden Town Centre to make it a vibrant and revitalised town centre with adequate facilities and services, eg. an art gallery.

The ACT election in October 2016 is all about you and your needs and expectations of your elected representatives. Please, let me be part of making where we choose to live a better and more enriched, informed and empowered community.

For further information on Election Commitments of the Community Alliance Party see

https://lindfield4murrumbidigee2016@wordpress.com

 

NANCY-LOUISE SCHERGER

Candidate Profile

Nancy-Louise has post-graduate qualifications in social administration and has just completed Doctorate research comparing the evidence-base of economic and social wellbeing legislation, reflecting her personal and professional commitment to the integrity and accountability of our government.

Nancy-Louise has run her own successful small business and has extensive Public Service experience. She and her family transferred from Melbourne to Canberra in 2000 and she quickly became part of a number of community groups concerned that people were being excluded from local decisions affecting their daily lives. She believes that community consultation must be undertaken prior to decisions, rather than selling predetermined outcomes to the electorate.

As a founding Community Alliance Party member Nancy-Louise believes in honest, transparent and responsible Government that models ethical principled behaviour. She says that the track record of people who have held power is evidence of their performance and that the competitive, divisive and grandiose spending promises of some candidates serve as clear warnings to be rejected. She urges you to vote for the Community Alliance Party, and the two CAP-endorsed Independents (Marea Fatseas and David Pollard) to give voice to the community so that we all can have input to Government decisions and challenge governance that does not improve the way we live today and into the future.

Nancy-Louise welcomes contact by CAP email and phone 0418 951 428.

 

CAP ELECTION COMMITTMENT FOR ACT ELECTION 2016

Election Commitments – Community Alliance Party as at 29 September 2016

Minor Party's can make a positive difference in the ACT Legislative Assembly

Community Alliance Party candidate for Murrumbidgee, Michael Lindfield said, "minor party's in the ACT can make a positive, significant and responsible difference in the ACT Legislative Assembly by bringing fresh and innovative ideas, solutions to government policy making, diversity and protect the interests of ordinary AC Territorian mums and dads, working families, the aged and disadvantaged, youth and small businesses.

"As a grass roots party we are in tune with the small issues that impact on the community. The feedback from door knocking my electorate of Murrumbidgee is a general distrust of the ACT Labor Greens Compact – that they have dropped the ball on public consultations on many important issues, including leadership – and the Canberra Liberals inability to offer solutions and add positive value to debating the needs and expectations of the electorate.

"The Community Alliance Party is a middle of the political spectrum, progressive and considers innovative ideas to do things better for the community particularly in the areas of accountability, transparency and value for rate and tax payers' money. We are guided by achieving outcomes through LISTENING, community consultation, reasoned persuasion and influence. We are a party that will enable the Government of the day pass its budget and in return expect it to engage in extensive community consultation on major budget commitments.

The election commitments CAP has announced so far include:

Review the ACT Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012
CAP will sponsor a review the ACT Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 e.g. whistle-blowers; with a view to include ACT politicians and the private sector where their conduct is seen to be wrongful – misuse of public funds, breach of trust, insider trading, bribes or misuse of information – and deemed to be a criminal offence against a law in force in the ACT.

Strengthen ACT workplace bullying and harassment legal regime
CAP will strengthen the laws and regulations relating to workplace bullying and harassment in the public sector by making them a criminal offence and perpetrators also liable to civil litigation as another remedy and deterrent.

Strengthen domestic violence administrative processes
CAP will strengthen the administrative processes in domestic violence situations to enable the Magistrate Court to make it lawful for a respondent to an urgent domestic violence order be fitted with a global positioning system tracking device and the applicant notified when the respondent is in the local vicinity.

Reform the ACT Tattoo Industry
CAP will introduce legislation to reform the tattoo studio industry by among other things, raising the standards of out-dated guidelines (set in 2006) for public safety and consumer protection, consider accreditation and qualifications, training practices and procedures for tattooists, apprenticeship arrangements, and making it mandatory for the ownership and administration of such businesses to be fully disclosed by public register and anybody associated, either by ownership, management or shareholding, including directors, employees, contractors, consultants or "sleeping partners" (ie and all associates) undergo a fit and proper character and criminal record test before a license to operate is granted or renewed. This is consistent with the suite of reforms in Queensland and NSW jurisdictions and those being considered by South Australia.

Relocate Floriade to Tuggeranong Town Park and Lake Tuggeranong Foreshore
CAP has pledged that if elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly lobby hard to have Floriade permanently located in Tuggeranong Town Park and surrounding Lake Tuggeranong foreshore. This would stimulate economic growth in South Canberra.

Review ACT Land Development Agency and abolish the ACT Minister for Planning 'call-in' powers
CAP will undertake a priority review of the role, function, powers, management and legislative base of the ACT Land Development Agency ACTLDA) with a view to make it more publicly accountable, simplified processes, enhanced transparency and reduced red tape.

And also:

– introduce a robust penalty system whereby the ACTLDA could be fined (payable to development proponents) if it does not meet key performance areas within a specified time frame(s) when dealing with the general public and businesses; and

– abolish the ACT Planning Minister's "call-in" powers under current planning legislation.

Lower the cost of pharmaceuticals and industry deregulation
CAP will lobby hard to bring the pharmaceutical costs down and consider deregulation measures for the ACT pharmaceutical sector generally so that drugs dispensed from pharmacies are (a) safe for consumers and (b) cheaper and more accessible for working families, terminally ill and economically disadvantaged groups.

Establish an ACT Office for Men's Health and Well-being
CAP will lobby hard to create an ACT Office for Men's Health and Well-being located within ACT Health department to do among other things, give policy advice on addressing men's health issues, analyse current data to look at ways to minimise premature death, injury, self harm, develop strategies to prevent certain cancer types and diseases; and raise its overall profile in the community.

Review the ACT funeral industry for market competition and reduce costs
CAP will sponsor a review of the funeral industry in the ACT and look at options for more market competition to reduce costs and to allay upfront consumer payment.

Review of ACT Ambulance Service
CAP will sponsor a review of the ACT Ambulance Service operationally in terms of efficiency and effectiveness and identify options to reduce the cost to tax and rate payers, particularly the City's aged, disadvantaged and young families.

Light rail
CAP opposes the Civic to Gungahlin and the Civic to Woden initiative supported by the ACT Labor-Greens Compact.

CAP may consider, following extensive community consultations over an 18 month period, a detailed and transparent feasibility study undertaken by the private sector and reviewed by an independent probity auditor, a light rail from Canberra International Airport to Civic with construction (also undertake by the private sector) of a world class state-of-the-art National Convention Centre comprising luxury accommodation facilities, stylish boutique restaurants and adjoining entertainment facilities and infrastructure. The cost to benefits ratios may be more attractive in recouping the private sector funded light rail costs.

Introduce Medi-PhamaCare speciality clinic pilots for Kambah and Weston Creek areas
CAP is committed to providing the best possible care for older and young AC Territorians when they most need it – during the night and the early hours of the morning.

CAP will initiate improvements to the existing walk–in clinic philosophy by piloting Medi-PharmaCare Specialtiy Centres at Kambah and Weston Creek specifically for older residents and for young families.

The centres will use existing vacant buildings and provide care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries and operate between the hours of 9 pm to 9 am seven days a week including holidays. Staffed by registered nurses and nurse practitioners in specialised fields who can diagnose, treat and prescribe medication as well as help with birth control or breast feeding issues and provide free immunisations. The services envisaged include treatment of:

Respiratory and cardiovascular stabilisation
Sprains & broken bones
Colds and flu
Allergies
Sinus infections
Sore throats and ear problems
Bladder infections
Pediatric care, for ages 3 months and older
Skin infections
Limited laboratory and X-rays could be available on site with outsourced pharmacy provider.
CAP is working hard to protect and improve health care. CAP will continue to give families faster, more efficient treatment during the times that worry them most and because everyone matters.

Poker machine community contributions to increase to 20 per cent under Community Alliance Party plan & insist on stronger reporting requirements
CAP will lobby and persuade the Government to make it mandatory for Canberra's 49 clubs that own and operate the city's 4,906 poker machines to increase their financial contribution to community groups from the current level of 8 per cent of gross operating profits to 20 per cent over the next four years.

Charity and welfare groups, including those helping to combat gambling addiction, would receive a minimum of 10 per cent to carry out their much needed work in the community.

Under the Community Alliance Party plan the clubs' 'cash to community' contributions would increase incrementally as follows:

Year 1 (2016-17): from 8 per cent to 10 per cent;
Year 2 (2017-18): from 10 per cent to 14 per cent;
Year 3 (2018-19): from 14 per cent to 16 per cent; and
Year 4 (2019-20): from 16 per cent to 20 per cent.
The ACT Office of Regulatory Services would audit each club and report to the Legislative Assembly twice a year on the amounts clubs contributed, community group recipients, and the projects they are undertaking. Hefty fines for non-compliance would also apply, as well as being named on a public register.

Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley residents needs are a priority for CAP
CAP will lobby and persuade the ACT Government to:

Construct a new Weston Creek regional community centre with public library (e.g. a multipurpose and inter-generational community centre; a venue where young and old can interact in a safe and friendly environment. This would include a public library, creative facilities, and perhaps a café);
Upgrade Fetherston Gardens amenities (i.e. much needed BBQ facilities, with undercover all weather eating areas, toilets, additional park seating, and a small children's playground)
Trial a regular electric bus loop service using the following route – Weston Creek – Woden – Curtin – Canberra Hospital – Mawson – Kambah – Weston Creek.
Introduce a free shuttle service around the Canberra Hospital campus for those who have difficulty walking. The planned route would include stops at all hospital entrances, as well as adjacent hospital buildings that draw the most public visitations
Upgrade Fisher Shops with improvements to include shaded all weather seating areas, better paving, parking, lighting and hence safety
Protect existing green space and maintain sporting facilities
Build Stromlo Forest Park swimming pool
Woden Concourse development
CAP will lobby and persuade the ACT government to design, construct, manage and fund a new Woden Concourse precinct be incorporated in the Woden Town Centre Master Plan. Like Weston Creek, Woden Valley has been neglected for the past 15 years and has been left behind in the economic development stakes.

A Woden Concourse could include a combined concert hall, art centre, and theatre complex with rehearsal and studio space. An outdoor urban screen with a full program of free public entertainment including digital art, open-air cinema, live sporting events, news and national events, and live broadcasts of sold out performances would attract substantial crowds and help to spark a lively European-style nightlife.

Funds are available from the $48 million the ACT government received from the Federal Government in 2016-17 under its Financial Assistance Grant programme to support better infrastructure for Canberra residents.

 

 

CAP PRINCIPLES

Accountability

Problem: The mainstream parties are not open and accountable. Recent changes in campaign finances allow vested interests to pay for political influence to the disadvantage of the wider community.
Solution: We will hold the major parties to account and keep them honest. We will initiate legislation that repeals the expanded provision for campaign contributions. We will legislate for an ACT corruption watchdog with the power to address sleaze, maladministration and cronyism which are rife in ACT government.

Administration

Problem: ACT quality of life is affected by government neglect. Waterways are polluted, suburban shopping centres are run down, and sporting ovals are overgrown. Outsourced services are often expensive, inefficient and unaccountable.
Solution: We will improve the quality of government services by ensuring that wasteful spending, mismanaged projects and corrupt practices are targeted. We will ensure that outsourcing is kept to a minimum.

Vulnerable groups

Problem: Vulnerable groups in the ACT do not receive sufficient resources.
Solution: We will ensure that essential services and facilities for the aged, the mentally and physically unwell, people with disabilities, women fleeing domestic violence, the homeless, fixed income retirees and other similar groups of people are adequately financed. We will prioritise such spending over expensive or unnecessary government projects such as a new sports stadium, light rail, or public art.

Education

Problem: Public schools are not adequately funded compared to private schools in the ACT.
Solution: We will ensure that all schools are funded equally, whether private or public. We will not close local public schools when student numbers are low. We will not sell off empty school sites to developers, but will ensure that they are kept as a resource for the local community and wider ACT electorate.

Law and order

Problem: Putting offenders in jail perpetuates criminality.
Solution: To prevent criminal acts, we will intervene at the community level to steer young people into socially acceptable pursuits. When offenders end up in court, we will ensure that magistrates and judges have flexibility in sentencing with an emphasis on keeping young offenders and perpetrators of victimless crimes in the community rather than sending them to jail.

Population

Problem: The ACT has reached its maximum carrying capacity. Because of overpopulation we already have water restrictions, less affordable housing, rush hour traffic jams, disappearing green space, longer queues for health services, increased pollution and declining biodiversity.
Solution: We will pursue better planning, more efficient land use and strict limits on urban expansion. Some areas may be earmarked for urban infill, but only where this has the support of the local community and environmental concerns are addressed.

Sport and recreation

Problem: Sporting facilities are not properly maintained by the government. There are insufficient facilities in the ACT to cater for a variety of sports, for example motor racing.
Solution: We will ensure the proper upkeep of sporting facilities. We are opposed to the redevelopment of land originally gifted to sports clubs by the community. We will develop a multipurpose motor racing facility which does not impact on residential areas.

Transport

Problem: The bus service is underutilised which is discourages the government to provide better services. Canberrans rely on private transport which causes pollution and traffic jams in peak hours.
Solution: The answer is not to build more roads. We will establish a service which is a cheaper, more efficient, and a viable alternative to private transport. We will introduce incentives for car-pooling. We will develop more bike paths and increase park and ride facilities to complement the bus service. We do not agree with investing heavily in current transport technologies which are being superseded by more efficient and flexible options like driverless electric buses.