Public speaker

Labor Party candidate Denise Ryan.

go! Let us reduce the cost of living with cheaper energy and transport, build more affordable homes and cap rent increases, and better funding to public school, to abolish all out-of-pocket expenses. Look at the weather, all these floods are absolutely devastating the local agricultural industry, and not to mention the local economy! We need to take an ecological view of our farms and implement changes willingly while we still can before climate change takes the options away from us. The Greens have plans to help support farmers by assisting them to implement sustainable agricultural systems that repair, maintain, and improve soil health, including carbon storage, water quality, water use efficiency and biodiversity. We also plan to develop and implement financial incentives, pricing mechanisms, extension services, and regulation to ensure that farmers and land managers are rewarded for the repair and maintenance of ecosystem services. Everyone involved in agriculture knows just how hard it is to get your foot in the door and get started, so one of these incentives plans to reinvigorate rural communities by providing programs that support young people wishing to become farmers or work in agricultural industries. Denise Ryan: Labor

WOMEN are 51 per cent of our population, and a crucial part of our society and our families. My life experiences have proven the need for more strong women in our communities, businesses and government. We need a community that works together to tackle the problems of today. The environment is under threat, cost of living is climbing, wages are stagnant. Who better to tackle these problems than people with real life experience like the new member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, a sparky who grew up rural, or me a Gippsland South local? I live on my son’s dairy farm in Denison surrounded by the beautiful birdlife of the Thomson River, and a stone’s throw from the coast and the wonderful rolling hills of the south. My home truly is my castle. Gardening is my passion, a place to enjoy with my grandchildren and nurture new growth, it’s never finished but always engaging. When I’m forced to leave my rural paradise, the Andrews Government has made it easy and affordable to catch a train to the city, with upgrades and if re-elected, V/Line fares capped to metro prices. I was astounded when I first found Labor, their policies spoke to me as they reflected caring and inclusion at every point. It is my wish to be a voice and an advocate for all, promoting the voices of the marginalised and disadvantaged. Supporting Treaty and Truth for First Nations people, cost of living support for those doing it tough, and free training opportunities at TAFE.

Incumbent Danny O’Brien (Nationals).

Danny O’Brien: The Nationals

SINCE being elected as the Member for Gippsland South in 2015, I have fought to achieve the best outcomes for the electorate and the hard-working residents who make up our local communities. While Gippsland South is vast (and growing at this upcoming election), I pride myself on being approachable and making myself available to everyone - travelling extensively and continuously across the electorate and staying up-to-date on the issues that matter most to Gippslanders. Gippslanders are understandably concerned about the state of our roads, housing availability, rising cost of living, and access to good health care including ambulances. As a member of the Opposition, I have fought to hold Dan Andrews accountable for the impacts of his city-centric policies, and strived to highlight the need for more spending in areas like Gippsland South. While I have been proud to spearhead successful campaigns for local projects such as the duplication of the Princes Highway, a new TAFE campus for Sale, and a new McLoughlins Beach Jetty, among others, we could do so much better under The Nationals in government. I look forward to improving our region with The Nationals in government by delivering $10 billion over 10 years to tackle our woeful roads, halving V/Line fares, and increasing rail services on the Gippsland line to Sale. We’ll consolidate the two Sale College campuses onto a new greenfield site, fund action to prevent further erosion at Loch Sport, and deliver the nation’s first Regional Infrastructure Funding Guarantee that will see regional Victoria receive at least 25 per cent of new infrastructure investment - equal to our share of population. The Nationals and Liberals have also committed to shelve the Cheltenham to Box Hill rail line and redirect every available cent into health to address the crisis that sees 85,000 people waiting for surgery and Victorians unable to get an ambulance on time.

Helen Jeges, Animal Justice Party.

Photos: Contributed

Helen Jeges: Animal Justice Party

I AM standing as the Animal Justice Party candidate for Gippsland South because the major parties continue to disappoint with their lack of decisive action on ecological issues, and our planet simply cannot wait any longer. I want to ensure that Gippsland South residents have the opportunity for their vote to make a positive difference in our community. Urgent work is needed to respond to the current climate emergency, protect animals from cruelty, and to build a hopeful and kinder Victoria. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen healthcare services in Gippsland reach crisis point. As a doctor of paediatric neuropsychology at Latrobe Regional Hospital, I have been on the frontline to witness the burden on staff, particularly nursing colleagues. I have worked in the Victorian public hospital system for over 20 years, and consistently advocate for universal healthcare. I support public healthcare and mental health care reform, particularly for regional and rural communities. Our family operates a nature-based tourism holiday park on Gunaikurnai Country in the Tarra Valley rainforest, which has been designed specifically for people holidaying with their companion animals. I understand the importance of supporting local businesses and promoting the natural beauty of Gippsland to visitors. Having recently endured drought, bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, I am genuinely concerned about the devastating effects of climate change. Threats to our environment that urgently need addressing include open-cut mining, native forest logging, shooting of wildlife, and land-clearing. I care deeply about our native animals, rescuing wildlife, and I volunteer with Mange Management to treat afflicted wombats. I also enjoy spending time with our adopted companion animals: a greyhound, staghound, cat, and companion sheep. I’m a Yarram Primary School councillor and committee member of Yarram Dance Experience. When elected, I will represent Gippsland South with conviction, integrity, and compassion.

Angela Newnham, Freedom Party.

Angela Newnham: Freedom Party

I AM running as the Lower House candidate for the Freedom Party for Gippsland South. The Freedom Party offers an alternative that the two major parties can’t deliver. Victoria has been destroyed by Labor and the Liberals did nothing. We need change. It’s now or never. The Freedom Party ’s focus is on jobs, homes and families. Here is some of what we stand for: - 100 per cent GST refund for small business; - No lockdown or mandates; - Restore Victoria’s energy supply; - Protect parents’ and children’s rights; - Free public transport for pensioners; - Abolish adult content in schools, and; - Hold Daniel Andrews to account. Mostly, we stand for jobs, homes, families and wish to see the rights of all Victorians reinstated. Paul Furlong: Family First Victoria

NO response received.