Meet the candidates vying for the seat of Upper Hunter (in ballot paper order).
LEE WATTS (INDEPENDENT)
I’ve spent my whole life working for the community and now I would like to work for my community in state Parliament.
Throughout my career I have worked across a range of community services and I have seen first-hand how tough it is for many local families. I have also worked in local government for 10 years as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor. While I could help make change at a local level, I wanted to see more for our community and that meant taking the step into state government.
I was sick of political parties taking our community for granted, so I decided to run as an independent candidate. I’ve never wanted to be a member of a political party, much less represent one. I want to represent local people: For People, Not Parties!
I don’t believe N-S-W stands for Newcastle-Sydney-Wollongong, but that is where the political parties send our money. We generate huge income for this state and it’s time we got our fair share back. www.leewatts.com.au www.facebook.com/leewatts.upperhunter
LOUISA CHECCHIN (NO LAND TAX PARTY)
RICHARD STRETTON (CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY)
I was born in Darwin NT in August 1966. I completed year 10 of high school in Darwin 1981, left early in 1982 to begin an apprenticeship as a plant mechanic. I married Angela in January 1990. We have a daughter Sarah and son Joshua, both currently in university. We live in Singleton in the Hunter Valley in NSW.
I believe that financial stability is worth far more than financial wealth and that the family is the most important unit in this nation and must be protected at all costs.
Do we really want politicians that conform to the same mould that we have used in the past?
As a blue collar worker I can represent you the average blue collar worker better than anyone else.
As a small businessman I can represent small business better than the average politician.
I know and understand the position of the average aboriginal Australian, having lived and worked with them.
I am proud to be a candidate for the Christian Democratic Party as we share a common belief in God and the Bible as His Word.
JOHN KAYE (THE GREENS)
I live and work in the Upper Hunter Valley with my wife Kathleen. We raised our three children in the Denman District and live on a property not far from Denman.
My past careers include teaching Mathematics and Information Technology VET at High School, working in the public service managing database systems, and running a small business in viticulture and training. Presently I work as an office manager in a small legal practice. Since moving to Denman in 1997 I have been an active volunteer in my community.
Several years ago I started the Keep Denman Coal Mine Free campaign in response to two coal exploration licences being granted on either side of my home town Denman. This campaign introduced me to community campaigning.
I see the threat of global climate change as a pressing issue that needs to be addressed at all levels of government. The need to address climate change drives the Greens policies on fossil fuels and renewable energy.
Diversification of the Upper Hunter economy as critical to its future. The Greens will establish a Renew Regional NSW Fund levied on coal and mineral royalties directed towards focused regional development projects aimed at long term sustainable economic development.
MARTIN RUSH (COUNTRY LABOR)
Martin Rush was born and has lived and worked his entire life in country NSW. In 1999 he moved to Muswellbrook as a solicitor in private practice mainly working in legally aided family and criminal law. Martin has been a barrister since 2004 working in workplace health and safety, industrial and mining law. Since 2008 he has been Muswellbrook’s Mayor.
Martin was the driving force behind the introduction of a royalties of regions scheme in NSW, the establishment of real time air quality monitoring in the Upper Hunter and the placement of Department of Planning compliance officers in Singleton.
As Mayor of Muswellbrook he has overseen the resealing or reconstruction of 50% of the Shire’s roads. He has also been a strong force behind the introduction of additional education resources in the Upper Hunter driving the construction of a residential student college and a joint TAFE/university campus in its main street.
Martin Rush and Country Labor will fund a $23 million Upper Hunter roads rescue package, complete the upgrade of the Muswellbrook Hospital, and bring forward the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypass projects. These projects are fully funded — confirmed by the Parliamentary Budget Office — without the need to privatise the community’s electricity network.
MICHAEL JOHNSEN (THE NATIONALS)
My wife Zenda and I have been living in the Upper Hunter since we were married, 29 years ago. Our children Ben and Lucy are now developing their own careers and we have two grandchildren Willow & Ned who will also want stability and opportunity as they grow.
I came to the area as a dairy hand and have since grown a successful small business as a Financial Planner, working with families to help them achieve the financial security to lead the lives they choose.
It takes hard work, commitment and passion to ensure we can achieve the lifestyle we want for ourselves and our children.
This is the philosophy I have lived my life by and it is why I am committed to representing Upper Hunter in State Parliament; to give back to the community, which has given our family so much.
I believe that job security and opportunities, and the coexistence of all our productive industries are the big issues for this election, as are the health, education and community services and infrastructure that good government provides.
The Nationals have a strong track record over the past four years in government and the strongest plan for the next four years, with record investment in regional infrastructure, hospitals and schools.
But most of all, the Upper Hunter deserves a representative in the government that listens, is passionate and capable; who will take a common sense approach and be truly accountable for their actions.
