Greens announce candidates for State election

The NSW Greens have formally announced their Central Coast candidates for the March 25 State election.

Upper House Greens MLC

Abigail Boyd hosted the official launch at Ourimbah State Forest on February 24, calling on NSW to continue the “Greenslide” of the 2022 Federal election and put more Greens in the NSW Parliament.

Hilary van Haren will contest the seat of Gosford.

She grew up on the Central Coast and now lives with her young family at Point Clare.

Van Haren is a lawyer and board director for not-forprofits, having previously worked for the NSW Government in disability inclusion, housing and planning

She wants to see the next Government genuinely address the cost-of-living crisis here on the Coast.

“We’re seeing more people in the region under pressure, but the major parties don’t seem to have a plan,” she said.

“The Greens will push to remove the public sector wage cap to increase incomes for our essential workers.

“We’ll reduce household costs by transforming public services and making transport, preschool and TAFE free.

The NSW Labor Party has pledged to overhaul the grants process to restore integrity and public faith if elected in March, in the wake of the scathing findings of the Auditor General’s report examining the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) funding grants.

The report revealed that none of the funds approved under the fast-track arm of BLER went to Labor-held seats and that the grant process lacked integrity, with the assessment process short on transparency and consistency.

The Central Coast’s Labor MPs and candidate for Terrigal Sam Boughton said a Labor Government would place porkbarrelling protections in the law.

“And we’ll stick up for renters on the Central Coast by freezing and cutting rents and banning unfair evictions.”

Standing for the seat of Terrigal is Imogen da Silva, a committed community activist who has lived in the region for the past six years.

She ran a successful campaign for the dog owners on the Central Coast, aimed at halting Council’s plans to introduce timed access to beaches.

Da Silva was formerly a senior research administrator in social health policy, health and citizenship, has degrees in business and communications and is passionate about local democracy.

“An administrator has managed (Central Coast Council) for the past two years, and the community is calling for local representation,” she said.

“The administrator is not listening to the community’s voices.

“We have issues with potholes, dirty water, irresponsible dog owners and no support to address our concerns at the Council level.

“I have heard the community, and we’re calling for elections well before September 2024.”

Doug Williamson will contest the seat of Wyong.

A former teacher who wants to see NSW take real action on climate change by ending coal and gas by 2030, he is also passionate about closing the coal ash dams (which are) causing health and environmental concerns among the residents.

“We know coal is on the way out, but Liberal and Labor have their heads in the sand,” he said.

“The Greens want an immediate end to new coal and gas and move to 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

“We can do this while looking after workers and coal communities, but we must start now.

“I want all residents of Wyong, particularly those transitioning from coal and power industries, to be safe and healthy and free from toxic by-products of coal and gas.

“The community has been crying out for change, but the major parties are protecting the interests of their mates in the coal and gas industries.”

Standing for the seat of The Entrance is Ralph Stephenson, a former school teacher who has worked across the Central Coast and has lived at Bateau Bay for 40 years.

Stephenson wants to see the next Government take teachers and students seriously.