You can view our question list for all candidates here.
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#2 on the ticket for the Liberal Democratic Party in Western Australia, Mark Dixon, responded :
“Hello Both Kinds of Politics,
Thank you for inviting my opinions on matters of interest to voters in the 2010 Australian federal election. Here are my responses to each of the issues you asked about:
What are your thoughts on asylum seekers?
People who risk their own lives and those of their children to hazard a boat trip to Australia’s north have already provided prima facie evidence that they are legitimate refugees and in need of our assistance. I believe they should be treated first as legitimate refugees until such time as there is credible evidence to the contrary, at which time appropriate measures can be taken.
What are your thoughts on public transport?
Public Transport is a legitimate alternative to other forms of transport if it is self-sustaining. However, if it draws on the public purse then there is something wrong and it needs to be re-assessed. For this reason I favour private businesses operating transit systems in open competition because they will maximise value and quickly respond to market signals regarding efficiency, timeliness, safety, routing and any other measure by which their customers value them.
What are your thoughts on renewable energy?
Renewal energy is clearly a major source of energy in the future. This is seen by the willingness for well-funded large energy-industry businesses devoting resources to its development. I see developments in renewable energy coming mostly from the private sector where there are funds to develop it, and competition to press toward maximum efficiency in its production. Government has a poor history of picking “winners” because its assessment criteria are complex, and have many more stakeholders than the private sector where value for money is the measure of success which directly drives innovation.
Do you support or oppose the introduction of the R18+ rating classification for video games?
I think people’s viewing choices are determined by their own moral and ethical choices, and that parents have a responsibility to their children to guide them in developing sound moral and ethical decision making. Thus I see classifications by government agencies in two lights: (a) a means to abdicate personal responsibility, and (b) a one “one size fits all” morality based on the mores of the government officials involved in the classifications.
Do you support or oppose the proposed internet filter?
I think people’s use of the Internet is determined by their own moral and ethical choices, and that parents have a responsibility to their children to guide them in developing sound moral and ethical decision making. Thus I see Internet filtering as an inappropriate use of government. Further, what we have seen already is that the filter trial has made serious errors: (1) it blocked access to WikiLeaks, a website that serves the community by exposing government corruption, and, (2) it blocked an anti-abortion site which provides information that rational people may wish to consult in determining their moral and ethical views about abortion.
Do you support or oppose gay marriage?
I will not support any legislation that treats homosexual people differently to heterosexual people.
What are your thoughts on abortion?
I think people’s moral and ethical choices are their own responsibility, especially when dealing with gut-wrenchingly difficult decisions such as considering abortion. I believe that government has no place in making those moral and ethical choices on their behalf other than, perhaps, to assist in making an informed decision.
Do you support or oppose the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia?
I think people’s moral and ethical choices and decisions are their own responsibility, especially when dealing with decisions of such importance as euthanasia. So I believe that government has no place in making those moral and ethical choices.
What are your thoughts on stem cells research?
Stem cell research is a promising area of scientific discovery that seems likely to yield significant benefits to mankind as well as to animal and plant life. Where moral and ethical decisions are involved in the pursuit of this research I believe those judgements should be made by those involved rather than by a government agency which by necessity is driven by political mandate.
What are your thoughts on education?
Education is closely linked to economic success and life satisfaction. Parents generally want the best available education for their children. Further “life-time learning”, which is a feature of modern society, means they also want the best available education for themselves. When we look at where anyone with the means to choose, including most state and federal politicians, send their children we see that private schooling is greatly valued. So I object to any government measure that favours public over private education, and further believe that competition is essential to improve the efficiency of public education and so support measures to improve parental choice in schooling, for example “voucher” systems.
What are your thoughts on campaign finance disclosure?
I believe all matters of government are in the public domain and thus require complete transparency. So, anyone seeking to make decisions that affect others, that is to seek election to govern, must be prepared to disclose personal financial information that is relevant to their campaign.
What are your thoughts on climate change?
Climate change is a field of scientific investigation in which I am not sufficiently informed to make policy decisions. It is a controversial topic, which is strange as it should be a matter of data analysis. I conclude that it has become a political rather than a scientific issue, and that very few politicians are sufficiently well informed to be making decisions on it.
What are your thoughts on water?
I would like to see the development of water resources driven by need (demand) and supply, which are basic principles of economics. I am wary of a politically driven water policy, and so believe the best interests of the public would be served by private sector management of water delivery.
Do you support or oppose standing order 50?
I have no objection to an officer in parliament reciting a prayer when they have the floor; however I see it as inappropriate to require an officer of the parliament to be required to make a prescribed invocation to a deity.
Are there any local issues you are trying to highlight with your campaign?
In a federal campaign I see it as inappropriate to try to impose on state or local decisions. I would hope however, that electors at a state and local level would seek to maximise individual choice and responsibility in the making of moral and ethical decisions.
Though group voting tickets have not been submitted yet, do you have an idea on where your preferences will be going?
Given that my world-view favours individual choice in moral and ethical matters it would be inappropriate for me to do more than recommend that voters choose candidates that support personal choice and responsibility.
Sincerely, Mark Dixon
WA Candidate for the Senate
2010 Federal Election “
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