National
‘Andrew Wilkie to challenge Labor in Denison’
Today Andrew Wilkie announces his independent candidature for the seat of Denison at the forthcoming Federal election.
Andrew Wilkie is a former Army lieutenant colonel and well known campaigner for truth in politics. Currently he operates a small business in Hobart. Andrew missed out in Denison at the recent State election by just 315 votes when he gained over 5,000 primary votes and finished as the fifth highest vote-getter in the electorate and in the top 25 in the State.
Andrew Wilkie is the real alternative Federal Member for Denison. Neither the Liberal Party nor the Greens can possibly win the seat from Labor because their support bases are simply too narrow compared to the broad level of support the ALP has in the electorate. Andrew Wilkie, on the other hand, is broadly appealing and likely to receive primary votes as well as preferences from right across the political spectrum. In the event of a tight Labor/Coalition result in the House of Representatives an Andrew Wilkie win would have broad consequences.
Here is what Andrew Wilkie has to say on some of the big issues at this Federal election:
· Governance
“The community is appalled by official dishonesty, ineffective and wasteful Federal government initiatives and policies, party politics and self-interested politicians. I’ve been fighting to rectify this for the seven years since I was the only intelligence official in Australia, the UK and US to question publicly the Iraq war before Australia joined the invasion in 2003.”
· A fair go for Denison
“The electorate of Denison has been taken for granted for far too long because it has been a safe Labor Party seat. This must change. Greater Federal funding must be directed to Hobart, starting with the money to rebuild or replace the Royal Hobart Hospital.”
· Poker machines
“More than 100,000 Australian problem gamblers cost the community almost $5 billion each year. The Federal Government should move quickly to implement the harm minimisation measures – including $1 bet limits – identified recently by the Federal Productivity Commission.”
· Climate change
“Humanity is undoubtedly influencing climate change. Not only does Australia have an environmental, ethical and social obligation to help do something about it, but to do so will also be in Australia’s economic interest. A price must be put on carbon pollution, possibly as part of an enhanced Emissions Trading Scheme.”
· Asylum seekers
“Australia must honour the 1951 Refugee Convention to which it is a signatory. In other words it must protect people fleeing persecution, war or violence, promptly hear their claim and give refuge to those found to be in genuine need of asylum. Moreover it must work to stabilise source countries and support countries of first asylum and transit countries. The full weight of intelligence, police and legal capabilities should be brought to bear on the people smugglers.”
· Health
“Universal health care, including dental and mental health, is a fundamental right of every Australian. Dental treatment should be incorporated in Medicare. And funding for mental health should be accorded the same priority as primary health care and hospital services.”
· Resource Super Profits Tax
“The most profitable resources companies should pay more tax on their profits. But the Federal Government’s Resource Super Profit Tax is recklessly constructed, especially regarding retrospectivity, threshold and rate.”