What motivated you to run for the seat of Charlton?
I am excited to be the Greens Candidate for Charlton. People in Charlton deserve a strong representative in federal parliament who will stand up for a more caring Australia. I am standing for the Greens because I want a better Australia for the future of our children and grandchildren and I believe the Greens have the best policies to achieve that.
What issues are important to you in the electorate?
Access to quality and affordable education from pre-school through to TAFE and university is a key priority that I will be campaigning for in my electorate.
As a teacher, I want to take this opportunity to stand up for every child’s right to receive a high standard public education regardless of their background.
Students in Charlton will benefit from The Greens’ policy to boost public funding for schools, TAFEs and universities and to relieve the growing student debt burden.Key issues are the need for better health services including medical and hospital facilities, dental health, aged care and mental health services, as Charlton has a growing aging population.
What would be your first priority if elected?
My first priority would be to have a fair and equitable health service for the people of Charlton.
What will people be getting if they vote for you?
People would be getting a caring and passionate person who will stand up for the things that really matter, like a clean economy, a caring society and a healthy environment.
How do you rate your chances of winning?
It’s important that voters have an alternative to the old parties who continue to take the electorate for granted. It’s critical that Tony Abbott doesn’t gain control of the Senate so a vote for the Greens in the Senate is really important.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what skills you think you can bring to the role?
I was born in Greece and came to Newcastle as a baby. I live in Lake Macquarie with my partner. I had three children, however one of my babies tragically died with SIDS. As a result, I strongly believes Australians deserve an adequately funded health system which is supported by robust research facilities.
I worked as a Laboratory Assistant (Coal) for BHP for several years before spending time living in Sydney and Switzerland. I obtained a Bachelor of Education (Chinese Language) from Newcastle University and taught high school students. Since retiring from teaching, I have been running a successful retail business in Cardiff.
I also worked with Kosovan refugees whilst employed with the Australian Education and Migration Services when they were sent to Singleton Army Barracks so I understand refuges flight to freedom.
* VIEWER QUESTION: What are you intending to do about climate change? I don’t want to know about carbon taxes, or carbon trading….I want to know when there’s going to be mandatory solar power for each new built home. I want to know when coal is going to stop being stockpiled on Kooragang. And how all this will happen without further spending.
I strongly believe we need to move away from coal immediately. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is already using money raised from the carbon tax in renewable energy projects. The Greens want Australia to switch to 100% renewable as quickly as we can, with a target of 90% by 2030. Rooftop solar, water tanks and other ideas promoting sustainable houses should be mandatory.
