Eva Pears inspired by libertarian approach

NEWCASTLE woman Eva Pears, who will run in the May 22 Upper Hunter by-election for the Liberal Democrats wants to maximize individual autonomy and decrease government intrusion.

Ms Pears, who has been a member of the Liberal Democrats, Newcastle branch for the past two years, has always been interested in Libertarian political philosophy and believes the ever-encroaching role of government in people’s lives needs to be limited.

Ms Pears, an English high school teacher, has held various roles over the years, including as a fashion retail store manager. Her interest in politics grew at university where she studied social sciences as a mature-aged student.

“While at Uni, I had a political awakening. I looked at the principles of classical liberalism and that’s how I got started with the Liberal Democrats,” Ms Pears said.

“I look at politics from a philosophical standpoint. I don’t like bullies whether that’s in the school ground or governments overreaching. I think governments should let people live their lives without too much interference,” she said.

“I see the government, whether it’s left or right these days as becoming increasingly authoritarian. Especially over 2020, there was a lot of government overreach into people’s minds, wallets and businesses so now’s the time to push back against that.

“The electorate is ready for alternative perspectives, rather than the whole Labor versus Liberal parties we’ve had since forever.”

On the controversial issue of the Scone TAFE sale to Racing NSW, Ms Pears said “When I first heard about the TAFE sale, my more free-market libertarian perspective mind said ‘well what’s wrong with that’, but when I looked into it a little bit further and I realised it had been sold to Racing NSW, this is a way for Racing NSW in alignment with the state government, to line their pockets and then to use this idea that we can deliver education online. You can’t deliver agricultural education online, it’s nonsense, it’s a rort,” she said.

“I feel like these things happen a lot, with the Singleton Bypass, with Dungog’s roads, with the Scone TAFE, Tillegra Dam and water security. That whole region is basically responsible for power Asia but is completely dismissed by Sydney.”