Candidate: William Bourke

scone.com.au has sent each of the 17 candidates in the upcoming by-election for the seat of New England a series of questions and we will publish their responses so you can compare each candidate. As each candidate responds we will publish their answers. You can click on 2017 New England By-Election to read more about each candidate.

1. What do you think are the priorities for the people of the Upper Hunter area?

New England needs: Secure jobs in a more diverse economy, by adding value to manufacturing and agricultural production, and investing in small business entrepreneurship; A sustainable environment with no CSG/fracking or new coal mines; To stop the Barnaby Joyce-endorsed sale of New England agricultural land and assets to foreign buyers.

 

2. What are your major policies?

Established in 2010, Sustainable Australia is an independent federally registered political party from the sensible centre, with a positive agenda. We aim to secure an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable Australia.

Sustainable Australia has developed a comprehensive policy platform and prioritised four big national issues: secure jobs, affordable housing, better planning and a sustainable environment.

We are also the only party to offer the choice of a ‘Better, not bigger’ Australia including a clear policy to end Australia’s Liberal/National/Labor/Greens-engineered rapid population growth.

 

3. Where do you live?

Sydney. Unfortunately, our preferred (local) candidate was knocked out by s44. As the party President, I wanted to get more involved in regional campaigning so decided to stand, rather than have no representation for Sustainable Australia in this election. I am spending most of the campaign period in the electorate in our Winnebago ‘Voter Van’ asking for peoples’ vote and their voice on important regional issues. Staying in places like Inverell, Armidale and Tamworth has allowed me to properly understand the region and I would be delighted to move in if I win the seat!

 

4. Would you support funding for an in town rail overpass in Scone?

Better rail connectivity, along with better broadband and telecommunications connectivity, is vital for regional Australia if we are to drive sustainable prosperity and liveability. We would like to see a holistic plan to rebuild regional rail in NSW and Australia. However, the health impacts of coal trains are a complex issue, and we really need to be reducing our coal reliance. I would need to talk specifically to locals on this issue before determining if I would support it.

 

5. Would you change section 44? Why/Why not?

No. All federal politicians should have sole allegiance to Australia and its citizens.

 

6. Would you support a bill for voluntary euthanasia?

I support further debate. Our party has a conscience vote. More importantly, we support more citizen initiated national plebiscites to decide these important issues.

 

7. Do you support coal seam gas development?

No. We need a moratorium on all coal seam gas development, including fracking, until a thorough independent evaluation of fugitive emissions and groundwater contamination is completed.

 

8. Would you reopen/establish more federal government services in the Upper Hunter area such as the Medicare office?

Overall, our policies would deliver more jobs and therefore more services. See ‘jobs and growth’ answer below.

 

9. Would you support mining in the Upper Hunter area?

We support agriculture over mining, and would like to see a more diverse economy. Mining needs to be more environmentally accountable, and has a place in the broader economy where properly managed.

 

10. What would you do to create jobs and growth in the Upper Hunter area?

New England needs secure jobs in a more diverse economy, by adding value to manufacturing and agricultural production, and investing in small business entrepreneurship. At the moment, our national economy is too reliant on big city property construction and speculation, and our national economic capital is encouraged into that unsustainable segment by bad government tax concessions (negative gearing, capital gains tax discounts), foreign buyers and rapid population growth (very high immigration). All of this needs to be reformed so that our economic capital is re-allocated away from property speculation and back into our factories, farms and small businesses. Regional Australia would be the big beneficiary of this macro-economic reform.

 

11. Will you support the gay marriage bill? Will you support religious protections? Why/why not?

I am happy that the definition of marriage will be broadened because it was democratically decided by the Australian people, not vocal minorities and vested interests. I would need to see the bill re religious freedoms before deciding.

 

12. Do you think there should be a renewable energy target? Why/why not?

Yes, but this is only part of the way to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable Australia supports the science that humans are contributing to climate change. Australia should contribute to staying below 1.5 degrees global temperature rise compared to pre-industrial levels, by lowering greenhouse gas emissions to levels that meet and exceed its international commitments.

This should include:

◦Funding and subsidising research and development into renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency initiatives.

◦Imposing a moratorium on all new export-based coal mines in Australia.

◦Imposing a moratorium on all fracking, including for coal seam gas, until a thorough independent evaluation of fugitive emissions and groundwater contamination is completed.

◦Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies (excluding the Diesel Fuel Rebate).

◦Achieving a sustainable population with slower growth and encourage Australians to reduce their individual carbon footprint.

◦Adopting a global carbon pricing mechanism that does not unfairly penalise trade-exposed Australian industries.

 

13. Do you think the company tax rate should be lowered? Why/why not?

We need holistic tax reform, not just company tax reform. We need to ensure multinational corporations pay their fair share of tax before considering lowering the rate. This includes a 50% ‘diverted profits tax’ for any unpaid tax in Australia.

 

14. What do you propose should be done with refugees?

Australia should protect genuine refugees from persecution, whilst having an overriding aim to help people live sustainably in peace and harmony in their homeland and region. We can maintain an annual permanent refugee intake of around 14,000-20,000, according to circumstances. We should also recognise and address the root causes of the world’s refugee migration, including rapid population growth, resource scarcity, corruption, poverty, conflict and war.

 

15. The majority of federal road funding goes to Sydney, what do you proposed to do to get more funding for the New England and where would you spend it?

A natural outcome of our economic plan for secure jobs in New England, outlined above, would drive investment in all forms of transport. Road funding should be equitable shared across New England, including major arterials off the New England Highway.

More broadly, Australian governments should prioritise the most ecologically sustainable and congestion-free public and private transport systems, including: Expanded state-based rail and bus networks; and, Upgraded freight rail infrastructure in order to boost national productivity and help remove truck journeys from our roads.

 

16. What would you do to make housing more affordable?

Sustainable Australia leads the way on the housing issue. Australia should achieve greater housing affordability for first home buyers and renters, whilst conserving Australia’s heritage and striving for relatively stable house prices. To help achieve this Australia should:

• Remove the 50 per cent discount of capital gains tax on taxable Australian property (non-principal place of residence).
• Abolish negative gearing on taxable Australian property.
• Lower housing demand via a sustainable population with slower population growth (lower immigration)
• Restrict the purchase of Australian residential property and land for residential development to Australian citizens
• Encourage developers to include an element of social or affordable housing in new projects.
• Increased state land and vacancy taxes on (current) foreign ownership of residential land/property

 

For more information on William Bourke visit:

• www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/