You can view our question list for all candidates here.
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#1 on the ticket for the Australian Democrats in New South Wales, Fiona Clancy, responded :
Fiona Clancy
Lead senate candidate (NSW) for the Australian Democrats
Spokesperson for Population and Immigration
1.What are your thoughts about asylum seekers?
I and the Australian Democrats believe in the humane treatment of all people including refugees. This said if we if we reduce the overall immigration levels, we would be in a much better position to meet our humanitarian obligations for what really is a small number of asylum seekers. We seek to develop a long term population strategy that determines immigration rates that takes into consideration our capacity to provide critical infrastructure and meeting our humanitarian obligations.
http://www.democrats.org.au/policies/
2.What are your thoughts on public transport?
In New South Wales we have suffered through years of neglect by one government after another in regards to public transport. Public transport is something that I myself rely on everyday to commute to and from work like thousands of other workers in Sydney in overcrowded, hot and often late or cancelled trains and busses. I was part of the State executive team for the NSW division of the Australian Democrats that endorsed the “Christie Report” on public transport in Sydney. This is a plan that was originally commissioned by the state labor government but not acted upon. This plan would see the same transport outcomes for Sydney but save approximately 1.1 billion dollars when contrasted with the current plan on offer by the state labor government. I as a member of the train commuting public understand what the impact of delaying public transport infrastructure is.
3.What are your thoughts on renewable energy?
I am for the development of renewable energies and see proper funding into researching these technologies as an important step in ensuring the planets health and a sustainable future both environmentally and economically.
4.Do you support or oppose the introduction of the R18 + rating for Video games?
I support the introduction of R18 + ratings for video games. The Australian Democrats and I believe that Australians are sensible enough to make up their own minds if a video or movie is for them if its of an adult nature and this should now include the new medium of video games. It is a sensible reform to make R18+ ratings for video games as a shift in game playing Australians is now an average age of 28. Having no rating has lead to the ridiculous situation where games of a graphic nature are being sold to people to young to play them simply because they have rate them with 15 year old rating to be sold in Australia. Having no rating make Australian kids less protected not more.
5.Do you support or oppose the internet filter?
I strongly oppose the internet filter. A filter is a costly and wasteful approach and one that has been stated by many industry groups as easily defeated. The arguments put up are laughable. While protection of children from pornography and other harmful material is a noble ideal, when it doesn’t achieve its aim it becomes an expensive “blankie” for adults to delude themselves they have done what they can without actually supervising their own children. I’m tired of what is increasingly becoming a nanny state with some politicians trying to erode our democracy. I joined the Australian Democrats because I believe our democracy is under attack little by little and this is just another little piece of our democracy being taken from us done as they claim to protect us.
6.Do you support or oppose Gay marriage?
I again strongly support gay marriage. I myself am a proud lesbian woman and cannot understand that in a country that supposedly has a separation of church and state how gay marriage can continue to be opposed. Who I love has no impact on anyone else’s marriage. If you take the argument that marriage is a sacred institution and that gay marriage will dilute this, is the government also planning to make it illegal to marry barefoot on the beach or in a park or some of the more creative ideas people have when they get hitched whilst sky diving or having pirate themed wedding. A wedding plan while not for everyone but is perfectly legal for my heterosexual friend who is planning on doing just that in October. How are two women or two men getting married going to affect the marriage of anybody else?
Marriage is about love or at least should be but if by me marrying a woman makes your marriage less strong perhaps you shouldn’t have married in the first place?
7.What are your thoughts on abortion?
Abortion is an intensely personal thing. I believe that this is an issue that is best left between the doctor and the woman / and partners involved. We politicians should support people by providing services that give fair unbiased advice and makes counseling available. We should allow the medical professionals to do what is right and in the best interests of the parties involved. My personal feelings or religious beliefs should not prevent any Australian from getting the medical service they require and interest bodies should not be allowed to make any party feel guilt over something which should not concern them directly. I think all guidelines need to be clearly defined so not to leave any ambiguity in the minds of the professionals in carrying out their already difficult jobs.
8.Do you support or oppose legislation of voluntary euthanasia?
Again this is a strongly personal and emotional topic. I support the right to die, in saying this I believe that strict guidelines should be in place and worked out in consultation with the relevant bodies. I believe no government should have control over life and death. Governments should instead provide the necessary tools for people to make their own informed rational decisions supported by the best advice and services that can be provided.
9.What are your thoughts on stem cell research?
Personally I do not know enough to make an intelligent comment. I would do the same with all subjects that come before me that I don’t know enough on which is to seek advice from people who do. I would also take advice from the public as after all if elected the public would be my employer.
I encourage all members of the public to take an active interest in politics and to speak to elected officials regularly.
10.What are you thoughts on Education?
Education should be provided by the government in a standardised way so children moving from one state to the next do not miss out or one state of Australia being at a lower standard than another. Paul Young , Australian Democrat candidate for WA is the spoke person for Education and would have further details on how we would educate Australian kids.
11.What are your thoughts on campaign financial disclosure?
I think this is a very important part of the political process in Australia. Financial disclosure allows us to see who has paid what for the different political parties in Australia. I think we need to look much closer to how we can improve the donations and regulations surrounding financial disclosure to increase democracy by ensuring that the message that is being given wasn’t paid for by an interest
group. The Australian Democrats have fought for and won many battles on financial accountability as far back in 1994 we have been fighting for financial accountability when an Australian Democrats senate motion resulted in the Auditor General investigating a $100 million cover up of losses on government building management in Melbourne. We walk the walk on financial accountability.
12.What are your thoughts on climate change?
I believe that climate change is real and whether or not you agree I feel it is prudent to take action in managing our environment better. Roger Howe, our lead senate candidate and spokesperson for the Environment and Climate change would be best to answer any further details. roger.howe@democrats.org.au
13.What are your thoughts on water?
I want to work with all levels of government to overcome the jurisdictional barriers in developing nationally consistent standards, guidelines and targets for water saving measures.
14.Do you oppose or support standing order 50?
Yes, I oppose standing order 50. In a country that has separation of church and state it is patently out of place. The Australian Democrats former parliamentary leader, Senator Lyn Allison has previously brought amendments before the parliament to remove this order. I intend on reintroducing this amendment myself.
15.Are there any other issues that you’re trying to highlight with your campaign?
I am passionate about re-engaging Australians with the political system. I believe we have been poorly served by many politicians over the years who have sought to erode our democracy little by little. I wish to introduce to the parliament a system of Citizen Initiated Referenda. This is a system that has been in place in Switzerland since 1848. It gives people the option to petition the government of the day about specific issues. If enough petitions are provided then the issue is sent to a referenda. The people can decide for themselves and therefore people should feel empowered about their own democracy.
definitely worth a preference; if i could.