Independent: Michelle Meares

I'm happy to have the opportunity to stand as a candidate for Robertson in the Federal election.

I have chosen to stand as a candidate to focus attention on four critical issues facing our community here - Maternity Choices, Youth Futures, Ocean Protection and Climate Change.

These are issues where I feel our current Government has failed to act responsibly and with long-term vision.

As a mother, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the future being created for our children and the world they will grow up and live in.

The complete failure of both major political parties to act on climate change is appalling.

I support the immediate introduction of a carbon tax.

The entire tax should be returned to the public, equal shares on a per capita basis (half shares for children up to a maximum of two child shares per family), deposited monthly in bank accounts.

We currently have approximately 40 per cent of our young people unemployed.

This is completely unacceptable.

The system is clearly broken.

I will work to reduce the youth unemployment rate on the Central Coast and provide more support for young people and their families.

I would work to setup a One Stop Shop for young people and their parents that works as a youth labour hire organisation as well as providing integrated support.

We need more opportunities for kids who don't engage in traditional styles of learning.

If elected, I would work to support youth mentoring programs. We know what a difference it makes.

Here on the Central Coast we are blessed with a beautiful coastline and beaches and waterways form the central part of many of our communities.

This cannot be taken for granted.

All levels of Government must step up and protect and preserve their beauty for the future generations and marine life.

We heard the shock news that there will be drilling for natural gas beginning next month only 20 kilometres off our gorgeous beaches.

Are our Governments and energy companies so resistant to change that they cannot adapt and evolve and therefore survive?

Much is said of the importance of mothering and yet the policies regarding support to women and new families does not match the rhetoric.

As a federal politician I would work to establish a National Maternity Payment for every Australian woman (a baby bonus type payment for pregnancy care) giving Australian women the ability to direct funding to the care provider of their choice (Midwife, General Practitioner, Specialist).

If elected, I will work to remove the new regulations giving doctor's the right to veto a woman's decision.

I will protect women's right to choice.

As a Federal Member of Parliament, I would work with the Government to ensure that the decisions made served the best interests of our communities on the Central Coast both now and in the future.

Michelle Meares Independent