Greens announce Robertson candidate

The Greens have announced Ms Cath Connor as the party's candidate for Robertson.

NSW Greens Senator Dr Mehreen Faruq, announced Ms Connor's candidature to a packed audience at the Ela Mesa Restaurant in Woy Woy on Sunday, October 21.

The Senator said she vowed to "step up and build a better Australia".

"Cath is an outstanding candidate who has a proud record of working in the local community to achieve better planning outcomes and as well as protecting the environment," Senator Faruqi said.

Ms Connor said: "I am looking forward to campaigning with Senator Faruqi for more local jobs, affordable housing and a second university on the Central Coast.

"I think it will be hard fought," she said of her chances of winning Robertson from sitting member, Ms Lucy Wicks, in the 2019 federal election.

Ms Connor said she had been involved with the Save Woy Woy Waterfront campaign throughout the year but most of the issues facing the local community were "the same issues for many people in the country.

"Basically as a wealthy country, we all need to be able to share in that and I don't think the big parties have been making decisions in the interests of the people.

"They have been more worried about the corporations who are donating to them," Ms Connor said.

She said the key issues she would campaign on included funding for public schools and homelessness.

"I think we have to find a more humane and successful policy, and I am sure we can, for people seeking asylum, something that provides people with dignity and hope," she said.

"I am also, with my health background, aware of the stretch, particularly in aged care and the issue of ratios of nurses to patients in both hospitals and nursing homes.

"I went to the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce dinner and there were a number of issues that came up.

"One was the dredging and lack of ferry services on Ettalong tourism and local businesses.

"That's real and an issue that needs to be addressed cooperatively between state and Council.

"The other thing I was tackled on was the issue of Council making it hard for business because of their climate change policies.

"At a federal level, we have to have an active policy that addresses climate change and that means no coal, no gas, a move to renewables so at a Council level they are not in the hot seat from local people saying why have you made sea level rise?

"I joined the Greens because I see Labor in the thrall of big corporations.

"They are caught, prevaricating on issues like Adani because they are stuck.

"The revolving door between Labor and industry stymies making good policy.

"It is about providing alternatives for people to think about, that there is a different way to do it.

"I have seen change over my lifetime.

"I see how things have changed and I know change is possible and I believe we can change again if we push as a community and make government act in the interests of the community," she said.

Senator Faruqi said: "We can build a future for each and every one of us.

"People want action on climate, fairer treatment for refugees and a well-funded public education system," she said.

"There is change in the air.

"This is the time to commit to policies that will create a better Australia for our children and grandchildren."

SOURCE:

Media release, 30 Oct 2018

Stephen Pearson, Central Coast Greens

Interview, 31 Oct 2018

Cath Connor, Greens candidate for Robertson

Reporter: Jackie Pearson