Here are my responses for your site from Liz Pforr, Independent Candidate for Broadwater:
Please take a moment to introduce yourself.
I am a Civil Marriage Celebrant & JP (Qual) who has extensive experience in small business. I have been married for over 25 years with two adult sons. I have held diverse occupations in the education sector, sports administration, fashion & the construction industries. I have lived on the Gold Coast since 1981 & I am very concerned with the two major political parties & the way they don’t seem to be accountable for their actions. I am standing as an Independent as they cannot truly represent the constituents that they are elected to represent as they have to tow the party line.
What are your thoughts on coal seam gas?
I am concerned about the huge amounts of water that is required to extract this and the property owners should have the right to refuse entry for both exploration and mining – this must be protected.
What are your thoughts on the dredging of the great barrier reef? Against.
What are your thoughts on water? On the Gold Coast it is no longer the entity that it was as all the cream has been taken off the top i.e. bulk water, profit & we are now left with sewage, pipes & debt. They gave an ultimatum which shouldn’t have happened in the first place. This will cost ratepayers millions of dollars & at the moment is an unknown quantity as there are over 500 3 year contracts that will have to be paid out. Gold Coast residents have been treated abominably by the State Govt as our residents strictly followed water restrictions & embraced initiatives, implementing our own water strategy & paid the higher price whilst Brisbane residents did what they wanted with the full intention of taking the water from us for distribution & made us pay for a desalination plant that doesn’t work, a recycled pipeline to nowhere & we’re supposed to be OK with what’s left – millions out of pocket for what was ours in the first place & bought $80 million in revenue to this city!
What are your thoughts on climate change? I’m not convinced entirely that we have climate change however, simply the way we live must be having an affect on our planet.
What are your thoughts on renewable energy? I think it should be used and encouraged where possible with more research done on tidal and wind energy.
What are your thoughts on nuclear energy? Against.
What are your thoughts on public transport? Again on the Gold Coast the State Govt gave our local Government an ultimatum on the light rail. I have always said the funds would’ve been better spent on upgrading what we already have – connectivity between buses, taxi’s & train services. The light rail on the Gold Coast doesn’t go where most residents want it to go and should be extended to Coomera & the theme parks. Trains at peak times from the Gold Coast to Brisbane are at capacity with people still sitting on the floor. More inspectors are also needed on both trains and bus networks.
What are your thoughts on public education? I was a student of the public education system and I am grateful for the opportunities that were afforded to me. I was a teacher aide for many years and know what a difference that one-on-one care can be to a student of any age or ability and there not only needs to be more aides employed but smaller class sizes are also needed. I would also like to see a community police officer placed in the larger high schools as the Federal Govt is pushing for Chaplains to be removed from the schools and I would like to see a police officer in place at the high schools for a more preventative approach.
What are your thoughts on the National Broadband Network? By the time they roll it out, we’ll be wireless anyway.
What are your thoughts on High-Speed Rail? Great benefits have come from other countries with high speed rail, not only jobs but better connectivity. It certainly works in Japan.
What are your thoughts on abortion? I am personally against abortion but it should be taken on a case by case basis as in certain circumstances such as rape & incest.
Do you support or oppose gay marriage? I am a civil marriage celebrant so uphold the sanctity of marriage, however, I personally don’t have a problem with two consenting adults whatever their gender getting married.
Do you support or oppose the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia? I oppose the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia as again, it is a case by case basis and that can’t be legalised.
Do you support or oppose the legalisation of marijuana? Oppose.
What are your thoughts on campaign finance disclosure? Should apply to the political parties as well as everyone else and I also believe there should be a capping put on expenditure lowered to $20,000. Anything else is a waste of dollars that could’ve gone to charity.
Do you support or oppose the reading of prayers to start each Parliamentary day, and why? I support the reading of prayers in Parliament as long as they recognise all different religions not just mainstream christianity, as I must do in my profession as a civil marriage celebrant.
On your particular electoral ticket, where are your preferences going, and why? I am not giving my preferences to anyone, it is up to each voter how they’d like to see their preferences distributed, but I am asking voters in the electorate of Broadwater to Vote 1 Liz Pforr. As an independent I’d be hypocritical if I gave my preferences to the two major political parties.
Are there any local issues you are trying to highlight with your campaign? Abolishing the T2 lanes in Labrador; proper management of both the Broadwater & South Stradbroke Island; more police on land, water & air; retention of the existing Gold Coast Hospital as a medical precinct; spiralling cost of living; Hope Island bridge; subsidising defensive driving courses for our youth not spending millions on expensive and ineffective ad campaigns & useless log books; extending the laws for the purchase of spray cans that are used in graffiti as at the moment the auto shops & hardware have them locked up but you walk into the craft section or the cheaper shops & you can still buy them straight off the shelf.
What do you think about the media’s coverage of the election so far? As both major political parties have acted with personal attacks and innuendo the media have focussed on this also. It’s also what I am standing against. Our children don’t act as our current parliamentarians do in both State & Federal politics & yet they spend millions on anti-bullying campaigns telling them how to behave appropriately. It’s an outrageous double standard! I think everyone, including the media, want their elected representatives to get on with the job at hand, agree to disagree and get on with it!
Warm regards
Liz Pforr
Independent Candidate for Broadwater
‘Working for a Better Broadwater’
P O Box 1244
Paradise Point Qld 4216
07-55308 660
Liz Mobile: 0418 875 329
www.liz4broadwater.com.au
Facebook: ‘Liz Pforr Broadwater’
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