– – Newcastle Institute

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Questions submitted so far

June 27, 2013 at 11:47 pm

Question from : Julie

Question:

To Jaimie Abbott, if you guys end up scrapping the carbon tax – how will you actually be able to ensure prices come down. EG cups of coffee in a cafe that have increased – how will you get cafe owners to bring their prices down, which they should – after the carbon tax is removed?

June 27, 2013 at 11:49 pm

Question from : Russell

Question:

directed to Jamie Abbott, as someone who went to Afghanistan, do you think we should really have gone to war? Was it actually worth it considering 40 Australians have been killed now?

June 30, 2013 at 9:48 am

Question from : DON OWERS

Question:

To all candidates;
It is undeniable true that our present standard of living is overwhelming due to advancements in science. Despite this there has been a steady shift towards reliance on economics by governments of both persuasions, even to the point where scientific advice is ignored or overruled by lobby groups quoting economic arguments.   Anthropogenic climate change is the obvious example but water flows in the Murray Darling, dredging on the barrier reef, (Since 2000, 22 million cubic metres of dredge spoil has been approved to be dumped in the reef )the impact of CSG on water tables are all issues where governments have overruled scientific advice.

There also health issues relating to alcohol consumption, gambling pesticide use and obesity where economics trumps medical advice.     Obesity costs us about $12.2b every year yet recommendations by health specialists; banning trans fats, reducing sugar, fat and salt in foods have been ignored. All our peak scientific bodies have recommended stabilizing our population at levels below 23 million but governments have increased immigration and a baby bonus to boost growth. None of the major parties or the Greens have questioned this policy even though the impacts are obvious. Could you therefore explain how your policy towards science will overcome this problem.

June 30, 2013 at 7:22 pm

Question from : Karen

Question:

If elected would your party legislate to overrule the nsw state governments plan to allow hunting in National Parks?

June 30, 2013 at 8:35 pm

Question from : Richard Welsh

Question:

To Jaime Abbott, what are you doing to ensure coal seam gas doesn’t go ahead in your electorate into the future in areas such as Fullerton Cove?

June 30, 2013 at 10:31 pm

Question from : Niko Leka

Question:

My question is to both candidates. What are the significant differences in asylum seeker policies between your parties, and how do they uphold our obligations as signatories to the UN Refugee Convention?

July 1, 2013 at 9:50 am

Question from : Therese Doyle

Question:

to all candidates. Are you in favour of restoring the single parent benefit to parents with children aged 8 to 17? If not, how will you ensure that underemployed parents, especially mothers with children over 8 avoid homelessness and poverty?

July 1, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Question from : Greg Budworth

Question:

Homelessness and housing affordability throughout Australia and in Newcastle is, according to the government’s National Housing Supply Council, linked, in whole or in part, to a major undersupply of new dwellings (greenfield or urban infill types). The gap is around 300,000 dwellings and undersupply is increasing at around 20,000 per annum. What policies do the candidates’ party’s have to address this shortfall?

July 1, 2013 at 9:24 pm

Question from : Sceptic

Question:

To all candidates:-

Would you support a referendum to change the constitution so that our head of state is Australian? And would you support a change in the Australian Flag to one that supports our future?

July 1, 2013 at 9:34 pm

Question from : Newie Boy

Question:

My question is to all candidates. Julia Gillsrd’s election date was attacked by some because it conflicted with Yom Kippur, and is going to be changed. Is it therefore unacceptable to have elections during Ramadan, Easter, Hindu or Buddhist festivals, or other religious days? Or is it yet another example of Australian’s increasingly pandering to intolerant religious groups?

July 2, 2013 at 11:53 pm

Question from : Ben

Question:

To both candidates:

The recent Treasury Policy document released by Mr Swan states that “tax deductions for self-education expenses will be limited to $2000 a year”. Keeping in mind that most courses/fees across a spectrum of industries cost many fold more than this per year.
Can each candidate please address how increasing the personal financial cost of self-education from 50% to 100% will result in a progressive and informed workforce? What will your stance on this “reform” be?

July 3, 2013 at 11:20 am

Question from : Suska Scobie

Question:

This question is to all candidates.
Preamble:
The keynote speakers at the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) meeting in August 2013 were Tony Abbott, Rupert Murdoch and Gina Reinhart, the MC being Andrew Bolt. It was reported those at the meeting were in broad agreement with the IPA ‘Wish List’.
Of the 75 items on the ‘Wish List’ at number 50 was
• “Break up the ABC and put out to tender each individual function”.
Question:
1. Do you support the ‘Break up’ and privatisation of the ABC?

2. Is ‘breaking up the ABC currently or likely to come Liberal Party policy?

Thank you Suska Scobie.

July 4, 2013 at 2:35 pm

Question from : Barbara Whitcher

Question:

Why do you think your Party’s plan for high speed broad band is better than that of the other Party?

July 4, 2013 at 3:29 pm

Question from : Trent

Question:

Do you think ‘gay marriage’ is the ‘greatest moral challenge’ of our times?

July 8, 2013 at 10:53 am

Question from : Ann Lawler

Question:

Whilst there will be many questions I’m sure about local issues and many promises of how to deal with them the overarching threat (understood by the candidates and electorate or not) is the next, soon to be, eruption in the global financial system.

The Citizens Electoral Council of which I am the State Secretary and Hunter representative have done their homework on this and despite the words of reassurance that Australia and our banks are immune from this eruption, nothing could be further from the truth. If that were the case there would not be a need for APRA, the RBA and ASIC under the direction of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) Financial Stability Board (FSB), to write legislation to downgrade the risk of failure of our four major banks, by transferring their deposits, people’s savings and businesses cash flow, into shares in the bank or over the course of a weekend into shares in a new financial institution. This “bail-in” process is what happened in Cyprus, not only taking people’s savings but effected a major collapse of the whole economy due to the impact on business activity as well. In the name of global financial stability the derivatives (financial gambling), according to the BIS, has to be protected at all cost and that means everything else is up for grabs – taxes “bail-out” and deposits “bail-in”.

What the CEC can ascertain to date is that this legislation which according to the FSB is “in train” in Australia can be enacted, without the consent of both Houses of Parliament, as an emergency measure, when the crisis hits.

A Glass-Steagall separation of the banks is the alternative and humane solution now being called for by a growing number of representatives of governments around the world; representatives who do not want to sacrifice their economies and people, because the derivatives, of which Australia’s banking system has just under $20 trillion dollars according to the RBA, cannot be bailed out or bailed in.

A US 1933 FDR styled Glass-Steagall Act is a complete separation of the commercial activity of banks away from the investment activity. So that the gambling losses connected to these derivatives will not be paid for with human sacrifice.

The only way to avoid the “bail-in” option from being applied in Australia is to enact a Glass-Steagall style bank separation BEFORE a crisis in the banking system erupts.

My question to the candidates is, when you are putting yourself up to represent and fight for the BEST interests of the electors, which of these legislations do you support – Glass-Steagall bank separation or bank Bail-In – and what will you be prepared to do to back up your decision.

Ann Lawler
Citizens Electoral Council
Maitland
0428 686297

July 8, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Question from : Robbo

Question:

Do you agree with Taxpayers money being used to support segregated schools that maintain a culture that discriminates against women, or that encourage circumcision?

July 8, 2013 at 4:21 pm

Question from : Julie Wakefield

Question:

Will you commit to actually building high-speed rail, or even just better rail, especially as petrol is getting more and more expensive.

July 8, 2013 at 5:05 pm

Question from : Peta Boulton

Question:

The Government has a budget surplus when it collects more FROM taxpayers than it spends FOR them. Can you explain to me why you think this is good?

July 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Question from : Rick

Question:

to the liberal candidates.
Pre-amble: Barry O’Farrell has stated the NSW Liberal Party will always support private schools over public schools. Mr Abbott has stated that we should be giving more money to private schools. Christopher Pine stated at an education forum at Charlestown that public education was a state responsibility and the Federal government had to look after private schools. Will you support the funding arrangements of the National Education Plan or will you support the continuing of inequities of the current funding system? Thank you for your interest.

July 9, 2013 at 3:38 pm

Question from : Marie Dunn

Question:

To all candidates.
Would you please list four major social reforms of the last 40 years that your party (when in government) introduced, and of which you are extremely proud.

July 9, 2013 at 4:37 pm

Question from : Paul Jones

Question:

My question is to the two Liberal candidates. The Howard government that was re-elected in 2004 had no mandate to introduce “Workchoices”. With control of both houses, the very divisive and radical “Workchoices” was indeed introduced. What guarantee have Australian voters, and more specifically Australian workers, that an Abbott Coalition government will not introduce similar legislation?

July 9, 2013 at 5:30 pm

Question from : Megan

Question:

In 2000, Australia joined 188 other nations in committing to halve poverty in the world by 2015. Australia has fallen embarrassingly short of the small 0.7% of income needed to achieve this goal. Will you and your party support giving the promised 0.7% of Australia’s income towards those living in abject poverty in developing countries?

July 9, 2013 at 5:46 pm

Question from : John

Question:

Conservative candidate John Church has indicated that he will try to intervene in Lake Mac Council’s planning consideration of anticipated sea level rises and coastal erosion. Does this position mean that Mr Church, like Mayor Jeff McCloy of Newcastle, is a climate change denier, with more intelligence on this matter than NASA, the UN, the Royal Academy of Science, and all reputable scientific bodies?

July 9, 2013 at 8:14 pm

Question from : Gracy Wright

Question:

Dear Panel, In 2000 Australia joined 188 other nations in a commitment to achieving 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to halve poverty by 2015. With the 2015 goal line for the MDGs fast approaching, Australia has an opportunity to save and improve the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people. Are you passionate about seeing justice in the world and keen to see Australia doing its fair share to help eradicate extreme poverty. Will you support an increase to Australia’s foreign aid to the internationally-agreed aid target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020, and ensure that it prioritises investments in health, with $250 million annually invested in sanitation and hygiene – areas which have been neglected. And also support legislation requiring companies registered in Australia to report everything they earn and pay for each country in which they operate, as a way of improving transparency and ensuring sustainable tax revenues for developing countries to reduce poverty. Will you raise the issues of poverty reduction and global justice in the Parliament and the Party room as well as in public and help ensure that Australia does all it can to help achieve the MDGs by 2015.

July 9, 2013 at 8:20 pm

Question from : Leggo Family

Question:

July 9, 2013 at 10:41 pm

Question from : Peter Davis

Question:

My question is to both parties. After the 2nd WW, PM Curtin brought in the Australia Banking Act 1945, later becoming the Australia Banking Act 1958.
Under these Acts, and despite the best efforts of those against development of our country, we began Nation building on an unprecedented level, (the Snowy Mountain Electricity Scheme a prime example), and despite the recession through the early 50’s, Australia began to flourish.
Since the bank deregulation brought about by the Hawke – Keating government, we, despite the mining boom “filling the governments coffers”, to quote Wayne Swan, have become a literally bankrupt nation, along with the rest of the world.
There is now a growing movement in countries around the world, especially, but not exclusively in Soveriegn Nation States, to seperate the banking systems around the world with Glass – Steagall type legislation, which is recognised as the ONLY solution to and protection from the next GFC which even the very top bankers are touting as ‘the big one’.
What is your policy on these measures and how will they be funded now that the mining boom is over.

July 9, 2013 at 11:07 pm

Question from : Anne

Question:

To all members
Australia joined 188 other nations in a commitment to achieving 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to halve poverty by 2015. Although Australia has an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people in developing countries it is currently not on track to meet its MDG obligations. Will you support an increase to Australia’s foreign aid to the internationally agreed aid target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020. Furthermore will you ensure that it prioritises investments in sanitation which has previously been neglected. Will you also support legislation requiring companies registered in Australia to report everything they earn and pay for each country in which they operate, as a way of improving transparency and ensuring sustainable tax revenues for developing countries to reduce poverty. Will you advocate for reducing poverty and global injustice and help ensure that Australia does all it can to help achieve the MDGs by 2015.

July 10, 2013 at 8:46 am

Question from : Bruce Aldrich

Question:

For the panel. Both sides of politics went to the 2010 election promising to increase overseas aid to 0.5pc of GNI by 2015 / 16. Unfortunately this promised target is not likely to be reached. Would you raise your concern in parliament regarding this failure and call for a boost in Australia’s aid program to 0.7 % GNI in line with the Millennium Development Goals timeline?

July 10, 2013 at 9:21 am

Question from : Mike C

Question:

Renewable energy development in Australia are supported by the renewable energy target, the carbon price and a range of other grants. How does your parties’ policies build certainty for the clean energy sector so that our economy can take part in the global clean energy boom, and reduce emissions from electricity generation?

July 10, 2013 at 10:30 am

Question from : Garry Clarke

Question:

My question is directed to John Church.

In late 2006 my small business was decimated as a result of a substantially larger business’s act of unconscionable conduct that a number of lawyers including former Chairman of the Trade Practices Commission Bob Baxt had described as being one of the worst instances of unconscionable conduct they had encountered.

Having submitted a complaint to the ACCC which they simply refused to investigate, I then wrote to Minister Chris Bowen, the then Assistant Treasurer; Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, and Minister Craig Emerson the then Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy.

When these letters did not even get the courtesy of a response I went to my Local Member Ms Jill Hall who, while she did write to the ACCC, left me with no doubt that like her colleagues she had absolutely no interest in assisting or supporting small business in any meaningful way.

As the small business sector is the largest employer and most significant contributor to the Hunter and wider Australian economy, if elected what would you as a small business owner yourself and a coalition govt do to ensure a level playing field for small businesses in their dealings with significantly larger businesses?

Thank you

July 10, 2013 at 2:20 pm

Question from : Thinking Voter

Question:

1. What does the Labor Party propose to do to fulfil Australia’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals?

2. What does the Coalition propose to do to fulfil Australia’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals?

3. Currently much of Australia’s overseas aid is directed into the housing and processing of asylum seekers. In fact, this makes Australia the second largest recipient of its own foreign aid. Does the Government consider this is an ethical use of such funds or is it essentially deceitful?

4. It is recognised throughout the world that developing countries are robbed of legitimate tax revenue by virtue of tax-haven accounting. This can be overcome by introducing laws that require country-of-origin accounting. This action would negate the need for much foreign aid. When will Australia adopt such laws?

July 10, 2013 at 3:50 pm

Question from : Newcastle Flyer

Question:

To the Liberal candidates;

Tony Abbot has stated that he will turn the boats around.

If the Liberals are elected, how can Tony Abbot legally turn the boats around, and if so, what happens when you get to the Indonesian border, and they deny you entry, just like the Howard did with the Tampa?

July 10, 2013 at 4:14 pm

Question from : P Chambers

Question:

1. My question is directed to John Church, how long have you been a member of the Liberal Party?
2. To both candidates, what can you offer the people of Shortland that the other candidate can’t?

July 10, 2013 at 4:26 pm

Question from : Grumpy

Question:

Shouldn’t the truth be told as it is or is there a place for spin in the world.

July 10, 2013 at 5:13 pm

Question from : Michael Hayes

Question:

June 8, 2018 at 4:30 pm

Question from : Richard Finlay-Jones

Question:

Why isn’t public infrastructure investment keeping up with population increase and demands in Newcastle? In NSW? In Australia?

June 8, 2018 at 5:07 pm

Question from : Don Owers

Question:

Faculty of Science My question related to the continued failure of successive governments to provide the necessary infrastructure for our cites. In a submission to the Productivity Commission Dr Jane O’Sullivan (who is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Queensland) argued that our population growth rate of 1.6% requires an expenditure of 10% of GDP just to provide the infrastructure for that population growth and maintain the existing store without catching up on the existing backlog. Not surprisingly her findings have been ignored. Comment from anyone on the panel.
# b

June 8, 2018 at 11:27 pm

Question from : Sam Reich

Question:

Newcastle is forecast to grow at a significant pace with the intensive development of high rise residential dwellings over the next few years. The community is concerned that transport options and capacity are not being fully addressed with the current plans on exhibition. In particular, while every Community Strategic Plan shows strong public support for safe separated cycling and walking infrastructure, the works underway indicate an obsessive focus on vehicular access and light rail, to the detriment of activation of places for people and businesses. The planning authorities have been less than transparent in showing the community how the town will look after the construction finishes. What assurance can be given that the community’s clear expectations will be met?

June 11, 2018 at 12:54 pm

Question from : Raoul Walsh

Question:

Could the panel members please outline whether they have ever received direct or indirect payments, research funding or other support from property developers or the NSW Property Council ?

June 12, 2018 at 8:53 pm

Question from : Jeremy Smillie

Question:

Renew Newcastle general manager, Christopher Saunders, plans to “…establish a new live music and stand-up comedy venue in the east end” on the old Newcastle train Station site
In relation to noise complaints Mr Saunders was recently quoted in the Newcastle Herald:
“We have to challenge as much the people who have a perception of what it is to live in a city”, “There’s going to be buzz, there’s going to be noise.”, “..but we will push the envelope, because the envelope needs to be pushed.”
My questions are
1) Should city residents be exposed to noise that their suburban friends wouldn’t accept?
2) Is this “pushing the envelope” part of creating sustainable and resilient communities?

June 12, 2018 at 10:21 pm

Question from : Sam Reich

Question:

Urban planning in Australia is highly politicised. This appears to often negatively impact the quality of the planning, and shortens planning time frames. Is this true, and is there way to remove or reduce the influence of politics and short-termism in the process?

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