LDP candidate for Dickson, Robert Hunter, answers our questionnaire

You can view our question list for all candidates here.

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LDP Candidate for Dickson, Robert Hunter, responded :

“What are your thoughts on asylum seekers?
I support providing greater opportunities for people to study and work in Australia. That is because I believe immigrants are mostly a net social and economic gain for Australia. However, while its all well and good to have free and open immigration, you can’t have open immigration to welfare. That’s why I would limit welfare to immigrants and raise the requirements for citizenship.

What are your thoughts on public transport?
I believe competition drives innovation and efficiency, that’s why I support the privatisation of public transport. If public transport was a competitive market, the profit incentive would drive private enterprise to provide lower costs, better modes of transport, faster routes, cheaper tickets etc. Our public transport system is not self-sustaining, it doesn’t pay for itself, and I think it would be better managed by private enterprise.

What are your thoughts on renewable energy?
The opportunities for renewables to become a major source of energy are being squandered by government subsidies for oil and regulations on the energy sector. I would remove these market corruptions to allow alternative energies to have a fair go under a free market system.

Do you support or oppose the introduction of the R18+ rating classification for video games?
Not only do I support the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games, I would push for further decensoring of the media, from video games to movies, music, books, magazines and television.

Do you support or oppose the proposed internet filter?
I completely oppose the proposed internet filter and any government control of the internet.

Do you support or oppose gay marriage?
The only role of government in marriage to keep a register. It should be of no relevance whether marriages on that register are man-woman or same-sex.

What are your thoughts on abortion?
I am personally and morally pro-life, but I know people who are personal and morally pro-choice. Everyone was a different opinion on abortion. That’s why no one should make the decision for you. It has to be a personal choice. I do not support any government involvement in abortion, and that includes funding organisations that provide abortion or covering the costs of procedures.

Do you support or oppose the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia?
Like the decision to bring life into this world, the decision to end your own life is a very personal one. I believe each individual should have the right to decide to end their own life if they are suffering from a terminal illness or enduring endless amounts of pain.

What are your thoughts on stem cell research?
I do not believe in government-funding stem cell research, nor do I believe in government restricting stem cell research. If private investors want to fund stem cell research by a private scientific organisation, that’s completely fine. But the government should not be involved.

What are your thoughts on education?
I believe in school choice and having more autonomy in education. I don’t believe education is a service the government necessarily has to offer, whereas the responsibility of the government to ensure their citizens are educated is a different matter. That’s why I support the government spending their education budget on providing vouchers for children to get into a private school, rather than spending it to run their own public schools. That way every child has the opportunity to be educated by a good private school rather than have to be stuck in a bad public school because they can’t afford a decent education.

What are your thoughts on campaign finance disclosure?
I believe in transparency in government, therefore I support campaign finance disclosure.

What are your thoughts on climate change?
I believe the science indicates the globe is in fact warming, however man’s contribution remains a matter of some dispute and I am skeptical that our contribution to global warming is significant enough to have a real effect on climate change.

What are your thoughts on water?
Water is already partly privatised and I support the further privatisation of water. I would like to see private enterprise manage our water supply in a competitive, free market. I believe Australians would receive a better service that way. Australians deserve the best and they aren’t getting it from the government. I also believe the profit incentive would encourage private investors to finds way to keep the water supply constant and plentiful.

Do you support or oppose standing order 50?
I support the right of parliamentarians to say a prayer if they wish, for Australia should be open to religion and religious diversity. However, I also believe in the separation of church and state and do not believe the saying of a prayer should be mandatory in Parliament.

Are there any local issues you are trying to highlight with your campaign?
I’m not running for office to become another politician who just goes to Canberra to bring the bacon home. I believe pork-barrel projects are the biggest cause of wasteful spending by the Australian government. Therefore if I am elected I will try to represent the general interest of the Australian people rather than the special interests of my constituents.

What do you think about the media’s coverage of the election so far?
I think at times it has been good while at other times it hasn’t. The media has the tendency to turn the election into a horse race. They also tend to beat the dead horse on certain issues, usually irrelevant issues, like Tony Abbott’s speedos. However I think compared to other countries, like the United States, our media is general more fair and balanced around election time. “