Elections > Federal Election 2007 > Candidates

Matthew Gray

The Australian Greens candidate for Fisher

Why I am standing

As a father of three, I know and care about families and the future of our children. As a scientist I understand the threat that issues such as climate change and nuclear proliferation pose for future generations. As a citizen I have watched the old parties ignore the reality of global warming and rush headlong to both increase the burning of fossil fuels and embrace uranium and its toxic legacy. I cannot stand by and see such gross errors of judgement be perpetrated on not only this generation but generations to come.
I hope to become an ethical, enthusiastic and empathetic representative for the people Fisher, doing not only what is in their best interests, but doing what is right.

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Important issues in my electorate

Local public transport is woeful, with expenditure on infrastructure tokenistic at best. High quality rail links to Brisbane and the rest of the Sunshine Coast must urgently receive federal funding.

Accessible, low cost high quality dental care must be provided through a Federal dental scheme, particularly to older people.

Urban development must be environmentally and socially sustainable. Precious natural ecosystems and the food bowl of Brisbane must not be surrendered to urban sprawl.

Affordable housing is urgently required for people wishing to retire on the Sunshine Coast, as well as for young families.

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Important policy documents

This is the climate change election, but both of the big parties have failed to take climate change seriously. We must cut emissions by 30% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80% by 2050. We must not open new coal mines or expand existing ones. The nuclear industry not a solution to global warming: it is too expensive, too slow and too toxic. The people of Caboolture and Caloundra want neither nuclear power plants nor uranium enrichment plants on their doorstep.

The Greens want to re-energise Australia, making it a world leader in renewable, low emission and zero emission energy technology, through initiatives such as the Sun Fund (download http://www.christinemilne.org.au/files/campaigns/extras/Sun%20Fund.pdf)

We want Australia to truly become the clever country, and will increase education spending at all levels.

We want Australia to become a healthy country, through properly funded health, dental, and aged care. Australia's current private health insurance handouts for the rich should be redirected to properly fund a health care system for all Australians.

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Contact Details

Other Candidates

CUMMING, Graeme - FFP
HUTCHINSON, Caroline - IND
KERR, Carolyn - DEM
MAIN, Darrell - ALP
* SLIPPER, Peter - LP

* incumbent