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Elections > Federal Election 2007 > Candidates
Patricia Petersen
Independent candidate for Warringah
Why I am standing
I believe that I have the necessary skills and political expertise to effectively represent your interests. As an Independent I will be free from party politics and therefore better able to accommodate your needs and address your concerns.
I promise that if elected I will listen to you and work to the best of my ability to serve you. I believe that being the Member for Warringah is about service – listening to what you, your family and local community within the Warringah electorate want and working hard to ensure that all feel attended to.
Amongst other things, I will push for a better education system; a more efficient health system; increase ecological, economic and social awareness of the importance of coastal and inland waters and of human impacts on them; attention of aged care services and; pay increases and more training for nurses and teachers.
This federal government has refused to introduce a universal paid maternity leave scheme. Apart from the US, Australia is the only OECD country without such fundamental entitlements. The Federal Health Minister has said: “I’ll support paid maternity leave over my dead body.”
Working women need a guarantee of continued income whist caring for a baby. This is especially necessary in the case of one-parent families. A paid maternity scheme will increase the fertility rate and guarantee job security for women.
I will push for women to be granted 18 weeks publicly funded paid maternity leave.
There is a childcare crisis in Australia and many women are locked out of the workforce. I want to see every Australian child receive two years of universal, free pre-school.
I am also committed to hold the government to account on domestic violence. 1 in 3 women experience physical violence in their lives and this is simply far from good enough in a country like Australia.
I am particularly passionate about women’s rights – paid maternity leave, childcare and women’s health. I know that you, your neighbours or members of your family are concerned about these issues. I will fight tirelessly for these benefits and services.
The representation of women in parliament can be greatly improved upon. The Liberals have held this seat since 1922. You can be part of history. You can make history by voting for and ultimately electing a female Independent.
It would be an honour and privilege to serve you.
If you would like to contact me please do not hesitate to do so.
Dr Petersen is an academic who has researched and published books and numerous articles in internationally recognised journals on political and related issues. She has been an invited speaker at universities all over the world, including New Zealand, Europe and the US. In 1997, she was a Visiting Scholar in the Philosophy Department at New York University.
Her work has received international media attention. She was the relationship expert for radio stations B105 and 2UE, a panellist on “Beauty and the Beast” and has frequently been interviewed on radio and television in relation to her research and views on homelessness, health, cencorship and violence towards women and children.
Dr Petersen has been a member of an Education Policy Committee, Higher Education Policy Committee and Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Policy Committee.
Dr Petersen, on a voluntary basis, in Manly, teaches self-defence to women who are at risk of domestic violence (she has a black belt in karate and is a former member of the New South Wales Karate Team). Locally, she has raised awareness of the role of St Vincent De Paul and Wesley Mission. She has also donated numerous hours of her time raising funds for homeless women and children.
(Statement provided by candidate)
Important issues in my electorate
MEDIA RELEASE
18 October 2007
SAVE THE PENGUINS
The Australian Federal Police will spend $21.9 million redeveloping North Head by expanding the size and number of the buildings that they currently occupy at the Heritage Listed Site.
The proposal includes 55 rooms each with queen sized beds and ensuites together with kitchenettes and separate bedrooms to cater for multiple occupancy needs.
However, Dr Patricia Petersen, high-profile Independent for the seat of Warringah (Tony Abbott’s seat) has condemned the plans on the basis that the proposed new-look facility is being promoted as a Conference Centre or Hotel, not its permitted purpose.
She said: “I’m extremely concerned about the plans for the Residential Conference Centre. The site is supposed to be used for the training of police. I don’t understand why, given only 114 police per year attend the College, no more than 20 at any one time, there is a need for expansion.”
“I’m worried that North Head is going to be an eye saw. The development will consist of buildings that will be highly visible from many harbour vantage points.”
“The glossy magazines, up-market real estate brochures, words such as ‘business’ used in their marketing, one has to wonder whether it is going to continue to be used as an AFP training facility or turned into an international hotel.”
“The area is the richest site for the first stories of encounter between British and Indigenous people. This is another reason why this redevelopment is a matter of serious and significant interest”, she said.
The Bushfire Risk Assessment and Mitigation Report of February 2006 shows that, even with every possible safeguard in place, the property and people on the redeveloped site could be subject to threat from bushfire attack from all directions.
Dr Petersen said, “I’m very worried and alarmed that six of the eight buildings are in the flame zone.”
She also said: “what really concerns me is that the noise and light from the enormous officer’s mess, which by the way is the size of a singles tennis court, will be only 25 meters from the largest colony of penguins in the National Park.”
“This colony of penguins only recently returned, after a complete ten-year absence, and the function of this room will severely impact on the welfare of them – they are extremely sensitive to night time noise, disturbance and light.”
Peter Freeman, the AFP’s own Heritage Consultant said: “there are radical impacts in that some of the original buildings will be demolished and the remnant SIH buildings will be affected by the densification of the site by the new development.”
Councillor Judy Lambert, put forward a motion to Manly Council to have the current arrangement at the site made permanent, rather than supporting the redevelopment and expansion of facilities. Dr Petersen said that she supports the motion given her concerns about the environmental and heritage impacts of the proposed site.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Dr Patricia Petersen
0418470605; patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com
MEDIA RELEASE
22 October 2007
CLIMATE CHANGE
Dr Patricia Petersen, the Independent candidate for Warringah, has condemned both major parties for failing to prioritise environmental concerns.
She said that although she found Sunday night’s Great Debate entertaining, she was disappointed that so little time had been allocated to Climate Change.
Dr Petersen said, “Recent data collected by scientists in the Arctic shows that sea ice is shrinking at an alarming rate. They predict that the Arctic may be ice-free within the next two decades.”
“If we let global warming go unchecked for too long and allow the sea level to rise, coastal areas like Manly, in the very near future, will literally be underwater.”
“Given how urgent and serious this problem is, I’m not happy that John Howard nor Kevin Rudd spent very much talking about the environment. I’m mortified that neither of them will commit to the two-degree target.”
Dr Petersen said that she was “disgusted that John Howard will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol or set renewable energy targets.”
She also said, “although I applaud Rudd’s conviction to ratify the Kyoto Protocol – after all, the only two countries to not ratify the treaty are Australia and the United States - I’m worried about his coal-centred policies and his support for the Gunns Ltd Pulp Mill, which will annihilate Tasmania’s old growth forest.”
Dr Petersen said that people need to get serious about climate change on the personal level.
“People tend to be reluctant to make any lifestyle change, whether it be changing light globes, using public transport, or asking their energy company if they supply green power. We need to realise that these changes are relatively small—in some cases they’re even beneficial for your wallet—but importantly, these are crucial changes we need to make for the welfare of the planet.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Patricia Petersen – 0418470605; patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com
MEDIA RELEASE
19 October 2007
HEALTH ALERT: TEENAGERS AT RISK OF UNWANTED PREGNANCY
Only 4 in 500 women and 1 in 500 men aged between 18 and 23, on the Northern Beaches, know that the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill can be adversely affected by taking antibiotics, other drugs such as barbiturates, nausea and diarrhoea, according to Researcher Dr Patricia Petersen.
Dr Petersen, the high-profile Independent candidate contesting the seat of Warringah and Fellow at the University of Melbourne, interviewed 1000 young men and women and was alarmed to discover that nearly all teenagers had poor knowledge of how the pill worked and under what circumstances it was not a reliable form of contraception.
Her study indicated that a significant number of young women had fallen pregnant whilst using contraception (the pill, condoms and other forms). 58% of women, who had experienced an unplanned pregnancy, were using some form of contraception at the time of conception. The study showed that although young women were aware of the importance of using contraception, they didn’t know how to use it properly.
Dr Petersen said that “a high standard of sex education is required to ensure that this problem is dealt with. Not talking about sex isn’t going to prevent young people from having sex. They will have sex whether we’re prepared to discuss it with them or not.”
“We need to ‘get with it’ and inform teenagers about what forms of contraception are available and how to use all types correctly so as to maximise their effectiveness.”
“All levels of government and the wider community need to work together to address this serious issue,” she said.
When asked whether doctors were responsible for not warning patients, she said, “Doctors do their very best, and generally a wonderful job of treating patients, in a far from perfect health system. There are always numerous people sitting in doctor’s waiting rooms and extremely long queues in hospitals. Doctors often just don’t have the time to sit with patients and explain how the pill works and when and why extra ‘protection’ might be required.”
She added, “the federal government has attempted to curb illicit drug use by offering accurate information to teenagers and families about what types of non-prescription drugs are available and their effects. In order to cut the rate of unwanted pregnancy, it needs to do something similar with contraception – educate teenagers and their parents about what forms of contraception are available, how they are used and under what circumstances further ‘care’ needs to be taken.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Patricia Petersen on: 0418470605;patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com
(Statement provided by candidate)
Important policy documents
MEDIA RELEASE
15 October, 2007
TAX CUTS
Dr Patricia Petersen has announced that she will contest the federal seat of Warringah (Tony Abbott’s seat) at the next election.
“My concern about climate change and the environment, women’s issues and Workchoices has prompted me to run again,” she said.
“There are many in the community who are dissatisfied with the major parties – they want to vote for someone who can represent them, be a voice for them; someone whose hands aren’t tied due to party pressures. As an Independent, I can offer them that.”
Dr Petersen said, “there needs to be some intelligence, strength, integrity and compassion put back into politics. We need to stop thinking about what might be popular in the short term, stop overreacting to the media, stop watching polls, and make decisions based on what’s right.”
In relation to tax cuts, she said, ”I would lhave liked most of the $34 billion to go into schools, hospitals, water, tackling climate change and the poor.”
“The money could be well-spent on solar hot water systems for all Australian households, upgrading public transport, introducing a Commonwealth Dental Scheme, doubling the Carer Allowance, Higher Education, giving pensioners a pay rise and training more doctors, nurses and teachers.”
“I’m also concerned that increased spending by the Government’s tax cuts might put upward pressure on interest rates in the medium term.”
“The $20 a week tax cut for average workers promised by the government is not enough to cover the loss in pay from Work Choices and the increases in housing, petrol and other living costs for working families.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Patricia Petersen – 0418470605; patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com
MEDIA RELEASE
22 October 2007
ENVIRONMENT
Dr Patricia Petersen, the Independent candidate for Warringah, has condemned both major parties for failing to prioritise environmental concerns.
She said that although she found Sunday night’s Great Debate entertaining, she was disappointed that so little time had been allocated to Climate Change.
Dr Petersen said, “Recent data collected by scientists in the Arctic shows that sea ice is shrinking at an alarming rate. They predict that the Arctic may be ice-free within the next two decades.”
“If we let global warming go unchecked for too long and allow the sea level to rise, the North Shore, in the very near future, will literally be underwater.”
“Given how urgent and serious this problem is, I’m not happy that John Howard nor Kevin Rudd spent very much talking about the environment. I’m mortified that neither of them will commit to the two-degree target.”
Dr Petersen said that she was “disgusted that John Howard will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol or set renewable energy targets.”
She also said, “although I applaud Rudd’s conviction to ratify the Kyoto Protocol – after all, the only two countries to not ratify the treaty are Australia and the United States - I’m worried about his coal-centred policies and his support for the Gunns Ltd Pulp Mill, which will annihilate Tasmania’s old growth forest.”
Dr Petersen said that people need to get serious about climate change on the personal level.
“People tend to be reluctant to make any lifestyle change, whether it be changing light globes, using public transport, or asking their energy company if they supply green power. We need to realise that these changes are relatively small—in some cases they’re even beneficial for your wallet—but importantly, these are crucial changes we need to make for the welfare of the planet.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Patricia Petersen – 0418470605; patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com
MEDIA RELEASE
23 October 2007
WOMEN AND NO CHOICES
According to Dr Patricia Petersen, Independent Candidate for Warringah, Work Choices and Welfare to Work are leaving many Australian women with “no choices”.
She said. “both Work Choices and Welfare to Work, are causing women to experience pain and suffering. Women are already extremely vulnerable members of our community.”
“Research is clearly showing that women are losing out under Work Choices through poorer working condition and less pay."
"Welfare to work is forcing single mothers into low paid jobs and low skilled work by coorecing them into accepting any job offered them. They are forced to sign unfair AWAs, or else they lose their income support."
“Women play an extremely important role in our society and shouldn’t be treated so poorly”, she said.
"We don’t want an underclass of low skilled low paid women workers. We want a fair system that treats women with the respect that they deserve.”
ENDS
MEDIA RELEASE
25/10/07
TEACHER SALARIES
Independent Candidate for Warringah, Dr Patricia Petersen, has today backed calls by outgoing President of the Business Council of Australia, Michael Chaney, for the government to invest in education by boosting teacher salaries. However, she said that the focus needed to be on starting salaries, not performance pay.
"Investing in teacher salaries is critically important, but this investment must increase starting salaries to boost teacher numbers, hence reduce class sizes," Dr Petersen said.
"The increasing of salaries is vital to not only reward teachers but it is crucial if we are to increase teacher numbers with the objective of reducing class sizes.”
“I am calling on both major parties to commit to using commonwealth funding to allow significant reductions in class sizes in all public schools,” she said.
"In NSW, a commitment has been made to reduce class sizes in Kindergarten to year 2, but not beyond. The Commonwealth government has a significant role to play in funding reductions throughout the entire system.”
"The $ 4 billion dollars offered by the government to increase salaries is well-overdue and welcome. However, how this money is spent will determine whether more teachers enter the teaching profession. Only an increase in starting pay will achieve this.”
ENDS
For further information contact: Patricia Petersen : patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com; 0418470605
MEDIA RELEASE
22 October 2007
CLIMATE CHANGE AND PULP MILL
Dr Patricia Petersen, the Independent candidate for Warringah, has condemned both major parties for failing to prioritise environmental concerns.
She said that although she found Sunday night’s Great Debate entertaining, she was disappointed that so little time had been allocated to Climate Change.
Dr Petersen said, “Recent data collected by scientists in the Arctic shows that sea ice is shrinking at an alarming rate. They predict that the Arctic may be ice-free within the next two decades.”
“If we let global warming go unchecked for too long and allow the sea level to rise, coastal areas like Manly, in the very near future, will literally be underwater.”
“Given how urgent and serious this problem is, I’m not happy that John Howard nor Kevin Rudd spent very much talking about the environment. I’m mortified that neither of them will commit to the two-degree target.”
Dr Petersen said that she was “disgusted that John Howard will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol or set renewable energy targets.”
She also said, “although I applaud Rudd’s conviction to ratify the Kyoto Protocol – after all, the only two countries to not ratify the treaty are Australia and the United States - I’m worried about his coal-centred policies and his support for the Gunns Ltd Pulp Mill, which will annihilate Tasmania’s old growth forest.”
Dr Petersen said that people need to get serious about climate change on the personal level.
“People tend to be reluctant to make any lifestyle change, whether it be changing light globes, using public transport, or asking their energy company if they supply green power. We need to realise that these changes are relatively small—in some cases they’re even beneficial for your wallet—but importantly, these are crucial changes we need to make for the welfare of the planet.”
(Statement provided by candidate)
Contact Details
Address |
Manly NSW
patriciapetersen01@hotmail.com |
Other Candidates* ABBOTT, Tony - LP
HARRIS, Conny - GRN
JOHANSON, Georgina - DEM
MCCUDDEN, William - CDP
MIDDLETON, Brent - FFP
PRICE, Goronwy - CCE
ZOCHLING, Hugh - ALP
* incumbent
Previous Elections
Patricia has also been a candidate in the following elections:
Federal Election 2004
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