It takes a brave woman to nominate for politics at the best of times but to put your name forward for an untried party not previously known on the political landscape is even more courageous. I did that at a Federal level even running out of my electorate – that really took some fortitude.
Why, you might ask did, I wish to represent the Palmer United Party? Yes I am suited to an independent role – I have personal opinions, ethics valuing truth & honesty especially in the face of power – but there is a certain freedom with PUP … a respect for the person not the position and I have an admiration for a self-made Aussie man who talks directly, speaks clever business sense, ruffles feathers, is politically incorrect BUT has a real desire to help the people – not perpetuate the process. It’s as close as I could get to being an independent but if elected be part of a stronger influence and be part of a significant change in attitude of Governance.
My LAUNCH SPEECH – DEBRA THURLEY STATE CANDIDATE FOR FRANKLIN
“I was a candidate in the federal election in the seat of Denison but now I am back where I belong representing the community that I know and love.
Franklin is the place where I have grown up, undertaken part of my education, where I bought my first home in the Channel area, where I have raised my family, where I have played sport and the place where I owned two of my small businesses. Franklin is where I served for 10 years in Local Government, and the place in which I now reside. Franklin is in my blood and I’m grateful to the Palmer United Party for endorsing me in this role.
As a Franklin girl I also have past associations with the Huon area, and my football team at the time was Cygnet where my husband played and coached to a Premiership. My son continues, despite a recent major set-back, his long association with Clarence Football Club on the Eastern Shore as a player, Captain and coach.
I am a proud Mother – first and foremost – reinforced by events of recent times – a family woman proud of Tasmania. I am also a business woman director/secretary of 4 small companies. I undertake contract finance work with a NFP organisation and as an electorate officer to an independent member of the Upper House of the Tasmanian Parliament. I have a concern for politics in Tasmania and I have a strong intention to serve the people of my community – FRANKLIN.
With an in-depth knowledge of my electorate and its people and an optimistic outlook & resilient attitude I am an adaptable well-credentialed woman ready to serve the people of Franklin. With a strong work ethic, a drive to deliver outcomes to my community, my experiences in life and business with a solid foundationI can bring new ideas, new attitude to Government.
As a former Liberal Party Branch Vice-President … I realized that some of my views were no longer reflected and that the 2 major parties were much the same – progressing nowhere – constant confrontation to the detriment of Tasmanian politics. No leadership, no new vision. Ask yourself why have the Liberal Party been in opposition for 16 years? Devoid of ideas and no better now.
This Labor Government especially over the last 4 years has been absolutely horrid from March 2010 to December 2013 Tasmania lost approx. 8,000 jobs. We had a Greens Leader – Minister for Education – wanting to close schools that had just had 1 Million dollar facilities built on them and the Greens generally destroying confidence and aiding & abetting the collapse of the Tasmanian economy.
What has happened to commonsense in Politics?
Palmer United is offering a new hope, a new option for the good of this State. With the guidance of our Leader Clive Palmer, and a strong position in the Federal Parliament we will be able to drive our economy and turn this state around. Clive Palmer is an expert in business, a man with a vision who wants to help all Australians. It’s a great feeling to be apart of his team.
I believe in collaboration, co-operation and a multilateral political approach to remedying problems – 3 levels of Government that work in tangent
I recognize the fundamental problems of this State’s Governance & to progress we need a better quality Governance
I recognize that Tasmania will not reach its full potential until both State and Federal Governments put in place the enablers of economic development
I see Education as the key to our future and an area of huge potential for Tasmania
I believe we need toe mphasize on fundamentals like Health, Policing, Public Transport and Infrastructure
I want a stop to the predatory behavior of Government and a stop to the ever increasing overcharging of utility fees and other taxes
I’m passionate about the elderly in our society and finding ways to help them in our community
I want the beautification of Franklin
Tasmania can be on the cusp of greatness in the right hands – Tasmania, currently downtrodden and grossly over-regulated ,needs to be set free of the shackles and able to realize its full potential.
I will stand to challenge the status quo as a proud member of the Palmer United Party. We can all look forward to better days.
I vow to you that through me, with me and by me the Palmer United Party will raise Franklin & Tasmania up.”
Getting publicity is a challenge especially in this age of political infotainment and hard when you stand on a platform of good old fashioned basic values – Truth, Courage & Vision.
With a belief in self, a massive dose of courage and a faith that eventually an authentic individual could be recognised and promoted for her values I present as a future “Leader in Heels”.
