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The Canberra Times invited ACT electorate candidates in the May 18 federal election to provide a brief statement to voters, we have included provided statements from lower house candidates and lead Senate candidates. Therese Faulkner - Australian Progressives Therese Faulkner is a long-term Canberran, attending primary and high school in Belconnen and raising three daughters in Tuggeranong. She has been active in the Canberra sporting and arts communities, playing and coaching soccer and softball, and as President of the Canberra International Film Festival 2017-19. She enjoys trivia nights, and was a winner on TV quiz shows Pointless and The Chase. Therese had a 30-year public service career working mostly in overseas aid, and juggling the various challenges of caring for children, undertaking part-time work, and meeting family and personal commitments. She continues her career in international development working in the private sector. Therese is inspired by the Australian Progressives values, including increasing ethical behaviour in politics, reducing economic inequality, and implementing evidence-based actions to critical issues like climate change. She feels her professional and life experience can positively influence the federal parliament, representing the people of Bean. Jamie Christie - Independent Jamie Christie says he is a trust-worthy straight-forward guy who does what he says. Jamie Christie's grandfather arrived in Canberra in 1923, and he's lived and worked in south Woden for most of his life. He has a long commitment to local public service with medical jobs across both public hospitals, as senior specialist in the EDs and as director of training for both junior and specialist doctors. He and his partner Karen (a primary school teacher) have no children, and as he is hopelessly uncoordinated he's never belonged to any sporting clubs. He's had no previous political involvement, but concerned with the destructive impact of political infighting, lack of coherent leadership from career politicians, and lack of progress on decarbonising the economy decided in January to stand as Independent in Bean. He is appalled that the ACT Liberals have continued to preference Tony Hanley in spite of that candidate's now widely reported bigotry. Ben Rushton - The Great Australian Party The Hon. Rev. Ben Rushton: Born, educated and located within the great electorate of Bean, representative for the ACT within the federal, state and Territory professional jurisdictions, community roles and sporting activities such as rugby union and ice hockey. Conservative widowed husband and father of three maternally orphaned children, master builder, federal and state government ICT software engineer, company and estate administrator, ordained Minister, federal postmaster, Australian Sports Commission Accredited coordinator, carer for the ailing, disabled and seniors. Standing for the people of the federal Commonwealth of Australia for the foundational restoration of the Constitution Act 1900 with the bill of rights, liberties and rule of law for the stopping of the covert united nations financed and controlled socialist political establishment republic Agenda 21/30 for the stealth foreign invasion and destruction of our rights, quality of life, cultural traditions, homes, families, property, farms, and businesses. In almighty god we trust! Matt Donnelly - Liberal Democrats Matt Donnelly has lived in Weston Creek most of his life, and is a graduate of the University of Canberra. Matt is standing in Bean to offer more choice to its residents in saying no to 'big government' and no to higher taxes. Matt also stood for the Liberal Democrats as its lead Senate candidate in the 2016 election, as the LDP's policy position aligns with his own beliefs regarding individual freedom and personal responsibility. One federal issue Matt is passionate about is ensuring that Canberrans have access to voluntary assisted dying , and he strongly supports the Liberal Democrats' Restoring Territory Rights Bill. Tony Hanley - United Australia Party Nominated for Canberra Citizen of the Year 2013 "The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members" Mahatma Gandhi. Will eliminate violence against all women, create massive multi-cultural business jobs, first and foremost. Improving the quality of life for the elderly, disabled (their angel carers), protecting frontline 000 - hospital police, supported by law. Reinstating Canberra as envisioned by Walter Burley Griffin, "The essence, spirit intention the capital was founded upon i.e. a low-cost housing, for all those that serve the C of A. Fighting for small business and other second-class citizens Zero homelessness, hard drug dealing. Restoring Law and order, reducing obesity School bullying and like the Kangaroo -Emu, on our Coat of arms can only Advance Australia, Hey true blue - it's me and you! Dam good bloke. Organically grown in Weston Creek. Ed Cocks - Liberal With his wife, Ed Cocks is raising his young family in the Tuggeranong Valley. With increased rates already putting pressure on young families in the ACT, Ed does not want to see electricity prices forced up by Labor's policies, putting even higher pressure on Canberra families. Ed believes Canberrans have been taken for granted by Labor for too long. Having lived and worked in Canberra all his life, Ed will be a strong advocate for Bean, ensuring that the local community's concerns are listened to and their contributions are valued. David Smith - Australian Labor Party I'm a born and bred Canberran, I grew up in the Woden Valley and studied at Sts Peter and Paul Primary school, Marist College and the ANU. My wife Liesl and I live in Woden, where our three children attend local schools. During my career, I have worked in the public service and the labour movement alongside scientists, engineers and other experts. I've seen first hand the impact of outsourcing and loss of jobs in Woden and Tuggeranong. I'm passionate about a fair go and fighting the rising tide of inequality, as well as delivering real action on climate change, better schools and health care, and an economy that works for everyone, as part of a Shorten Labor government. With your help, I will make sure that Canberra gets a fair go after years of neglect from Zed Seselja and the Liberals. Johnathan Davis - The Greens I'm a realtor and auctioneer, small business owner, entertainer, carer and activist. I'm young, openly gay and have been engaged in the fight for a more progressive politics for over 10 years. I've campaigned for well-funded and accessible public schools, I've championed the cause of LGBTIQ people through the fight for marriage equality and I've fought for a better deal for Tuggeranong as a two-time ACT Greens candidate for the ACT Legislative Assembly. I'm running this election because Bean is considered a safe seat. I don't think any politician or political party should be safe. The people of this new seat deserve a fighter; someone who'll work hard each and everyday for better outcomes for the people of Bean. If I'm elected as your MP, I commit to pursuing progressive policies to tackle the climate crisis and economic inequality. Tim Bohm - Independent I am a born and bred Canberran. I have lived, worked, studied, built businesses, volunteered, and am now bringing up three children, a dog and a goldfish in the electorate with my wife. I am not a career politician. I have over 15 years of experience building and running a business in Canberra. I understand the challenges and rewards involved with running, growing and maintaining a business. As an independent, I am free from party deals and donors, and will never sell the Australian public down the river to serve the party machine. I will answer to and take direction from the electorate. I will set up an online, secure, direct democracy model for the electorate to allow the electorate to have a direct say and to raise their own issues. I have different ideas around electoral reform, transport, high-speed rail, environment, health, new industries and more. Alicia Payne - Australian Labor Party Alicia Payne grew up in Canberra and is now living in the inner north with her husband and young son. Alicia is an economist and her career has focussed on finding policy answers to address poverty and inequality. She was first a researcher at NATSEM at the University of Canberra, one of Australia's most respected independent economic research centres, where she published on poverty and the impacts of policy on households. Alicia worked as a policy analyst at Commonwealth Treasury for five years, before becoming social policy adviser to Bill Shorten in 2015 then chief of staff to Jenny Macklin after the last election. Having volunteered for many years with people experiencing homelessness and as President of Belconnen Community Service, Alicia wants to be a progressive voice for the Canberra community in Parliament and fight for all Canberrans to have the best opportunity to live happy, healthy, fulfilled lives. Tim Hollo - The Greens I'm a passionate environmentalist, community activist, musician, writer and NGO director, living in the inner north with my kids at the local school. Having trained as an environmental lawyer, I've spent 20 years working for climate action. I'm running because we desperately need the next parliament to put us on track. That will only happen with enough Greens pulling a Labor government to go further than they want to: to stop Adani, phase out coal and end fracking. As the child of refugees, I understand the importance of a humanitarian response and the critical need for politics to face down racism and division. A major focus of my work is on reclaiming democracy, which is not working for people or the planet. We need to get corporate money out of politics and bring the people back in, supporting community members to get involved in making decisions about our common future. Mina Zaki - Liberal Mina is a migrant, who fled Afghanistan with her family at a young age for a more prosperous future. Mina does not want to see the deaths at sea start again under a Labor government. Mina is passionate about her community and will be a strong voice for the diverse electorate of Canberra. Mina and her husband are proud to be raising their three young children in our vibrant community. Mina understands a stronger economy is the key to more opportunities for all Canberrans. She believes a Liberal government is the best placed to deliver a bright future for our children and ensure more opportunities for all Australians. Robert John Knight - Australian Progressives Robert Knight is the national president of the Australian Progressives and candidate for the seat of Canberra. He was born in Canberra and grew up in the Belconnen area, joining the Army after leaving school in 1995. Robert 21 years in the ADF as a soldier and officer, specialising in aviation, transport and logistics. Robert is a married father of four living in Garran with his wife and two young daughters. After leaving the army in late 2015, he took up an executive role in the Department of Veterans Affairs, spending two years working on the Centenary of Anzac program. He now works as a Defence consultant. Robert cites his reasons for entering politics as a desire to return ethics, integrity, fairness, leadership and an adherence to evidence to the Australian political landscape. Greg De Maine - United Australia Party No statement provided Glen J Hodgson - United Australia Party No statement provided Kagiso Ratlhagane - Australian Progressives No statement provided Andrew Braddock - The Greens You could say that I live the Canberra dream. I'm a public servant (resigned), married with a young family, two dogs and a home in the 'burbs. I'm running as the Greens candidate for Fenner because I want to give voice to voters demanding meaningful action on climate change and the removal of corporate influence on politics. I'm passionate about building a better future than that currently created by the two major parties. I am not a career politician or lobbyist. I am the product of a public-school education, getting by, raising our twin five year-old girls. I am an active resident of the Fenner community sitting on the board of my local primary school and formerly on the Gungahlin Community Council. Don't let Labor take Fenner for granted. This time, vote Green to make Canberra matter. Andrew Leigh - Australian Labor Party Canberra is the best city in Australia. My wife Gweneth and our three sons - Sebastian, Theodore and Zachary - love the sense of community. Whether it's soccer or scouts, netball or bike rides in the bush, there's no better place to be active. Before entering parliament in 2010, I served as an economics professor at the Australian National University, researching poverty and inequality. It's a passion I've carried into politics, working as Labor's shadow assistant treasurer since 2013, helping Bill Shorten and Chris Bowen craft our Fair Go Action Plan. As your local MP, I hold town hall meetings and mobile offices (most recently aboard the light rail!), and write regularly for The Chronicle and The Canberra Times. I'm always up for a chat on email or social media, and host a podcast on wisdom called The Good Life. I enjoy working for you and I'd love to hear from you: Andrew.Leigh.MP@aph.gov.au. Leanne Castley - Liberal Leanne Castley is a mother, concerned about increases in the cost of living hitting those already doing it tough the most. With some of the highest rents in the country, Canberrans can't afford the rent increases that will come with Labor's housing taxes. As a lifelong Canberran from the northside, Leanne has watched Belconnen develop - and Gungahlin grow from a paddock - into to the great town centres they are today. As a business owner, she has experienced how difficult red tape can be. She believes government needs to get the settings right so small business can flourish and create jobs. Leanne is standing up for people who work hard to get ahead. She understands a strong economy is the key to ensuring we have jobs for the future, enabling people to keep more of what they earn and ensuring the Government can guarantee the essential services Canberrans rely on. Zed Seselja - Liberal Zed Seselja was born in Woden Valley Hospital to Croatian immigrant parents and has lived in Canberra his entire life. Raised in the Tuggeranong Valley attending local schools, Zed saw the city grow with him. He studied arts and law at the ANU and then moved into the Commonwealth public service. Zed is a patron for Kulture Break, the Molonglo Juggernauts, JDRF and Karinya, House among others, and a strong supporter of local charities including St Vincent de Paul. He entered politics to create a better future for his children and for all Canberrans. He previously represented Canberrans in the ACT Legislative Assembly for eight years, including as Leader of the Opposition. Zed is excited about the future of Canberra. He is committed to the growth of the city and making the critical decisions today that will ensure the prosperity of tomorrow. Penny Kyburz - The Greens I'm running for the Senate in the ACT so that I can represent Canberrans and their progressive values in our federal Parliament. I'm an academic, small business owner, and mother. As an academic, I understand the threat that universities are facing from funding cuts and casualisation. I will fight to save our universities, which are essential to our future. As a female leader in my field, I am dedicated to equality and inclusion. I will work hard to ensure diverse voices are heard and amplified in our parliament. At this election, Canberrans can choose to vote for someone who will truly represent them or to return Zed for another term. Voting for Greens in the Senate is your best chance to replace Zed. I will work hard in the Senate to represent the ACT, our community, and our progressive values. I will make your vote count in the Senate. Anthony Pesec - Independent Anthony Pesec is Canberra born and bred and is a product of the ACT public education system and the Australian public university system. Originally trained as a civil engineer, Anthony later completed an MBA which led to some years working in the finance industry in the UK and Croatia where he founded his own consultancy. Anthony returned to Canberra four years ago and founded a renewable energy business that operates nationwide. Anthony believes passionately in a future where Australia is a global leader in and a major exporter of clean, renewable energy and other technology. It is self-evident that if we are to realise that future then we need a properly-resourced, independent and sustainable education and training sector. Anthony also believes that the ACT's interests will be best represented in the Senate by an independent who is not beholden to party interests instead of what is best for Canberra. Shane Van Duren - Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party I serve none but you. I do not seek to represent you from an ivory tower. I cannot be bought or intimidated. I have diverse experience across many environments and cultures. I will fight for our common law rights, I will fight for our humanitarian rights, I will fight for the rights of our children and I will fight for Indigenous rights. I will defend individual freedoms and national identity wherever they are threatened. The corrupt and perverse will be held to account. I will support our sick, our old and our injured. I will empower all Australians to reach their full potential and support our regional friends to do the same. "Here I stand, I can do no other." Peter Walter - United Australia Party No statement provided John Haydon - Sustainable Australia John Haydon lives in Canberra with his wife and school-age daughter. He trained as an economist and has post-graduate qualifications in business management as well as university majors in Spanish and French. Believing strongly in the importance of education, he was for a number of years President of the ACT Council of P&C organisations and was a board member of the national Australian Council of State School Organisations. John lived and worked in Korea, Mexico, Cambodia, Turkey and Spain. While having an international perspective, he believes that Australia's way of life is under threat from rampant over development that benefits only wealthy property developers and the large businesses that donate to both major parties. Many years with the Immigration Department convinces him that the interests of virtually all Australians, including recent arrivals, would be improved by winding back our current 200,000+ immigration program to its historic level of 70,000 per year. Katy Gallagher - Australian Labor Party I've spent the last two decades fighting for Canberrans and helping to grow our city into what it is today. I am seeking the support of Canberrans to return to the Senate and defend Canberra in the federal parliament. Whether it was advocating for people with a disability, or when I was defending public servants as a CPSU organiser, or as ACT chief minister - I've made it my life's work to fight for our territory and the people in it. My government saw Labor take on a bold policy agenda including light rail, marriage equality and 100% renewable energy target by 2020. I didn't shy away from the tough fights and it's this approach I will take into the Senate if given the chance at this election. As a member in a Shorten Labor government I'll keep fighting not only for the Canberra I love, but a more progressive federal Labor as well. Nick Houston - Independent My name is Nick Houston and I support clean government. The Liberal Party and the Labor Party are awash in corporate and union cash and receive millions of dollars in public funding. They work in the interests of their corporate paymasters and no longer represent the concerns of ordinary people. Donors control party policy, candidate pre-selection, and the careers of our elected representatives. Conflicts of interest are rife at all levels of the political system. Misuse of position by elected representatives and political corruption are compromising our democracy. The Australian people have had a gutful! The changes I support are moderate and draw on a range of transparency ideas already in the public domain. These changes are a prelude to a better more effective political system and clean non-corrupt government. I grew up in Canberra and now run a small business. Vote 1 - Nick Houston Clean Government - ACT Senate. www.democraticreformalliance.org.au Gary Cowton - Independent No statement provided

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