Greens Maitland candidate Paul Johns is enjoying the contest for Maitland in the run up to the State Election. As he says to his constituents when he is door knocking, ‘if you are doing it tough, you are not alone.’
Paul is legally blind since birth. He has risen to the challenge and is a mentor to others. He is contesting his fourth consecutive election. Paul, his guide dog and his family live locally. He is employed in the disability sector.
Paul contested two previous Local Government Elections and in September 2024, came within a couple of hundred votes of defeating the Deputy Mayor of Maitland’s run for government. Paul’s grit and friendly personality have seen him shine in overcoming the barriers of his disability.
Paul suffered badly at school because of his vision impairment. Now as an adult he has made up for lost time by successfully completing several courses at Maitland TAFE, including Cert 4 Community Service and Cert 4 Government. He is currently enrolled in Cert 4 Business and Communications.
He tells his supporters and members of the public that whatever challenges we face in life, things can always be made better if we all work together to get the best outcomes for ordinary working people.
Paul depends on public transport to travel everywhere. Because of this he strongly believes that public transport should not only be free but accessible for everyone, whether disabled or not.
We need development in Maitland, BUT, we should be using open, cleared spaces rather than cutting down trees and impacting flora, fauna and water courses. Native forest logging should be stopped. State owned native forest logging lost $32 million last year alone. The profitable plantation timber industry in NSW employs more than 20,000 people compared with fewer than 700 people employed in native forest logging. We export huge quantities of wood chips. This has to stop.
Paul supports The Greens’ policies to influence the government in capping rents and ending housing stress; to achieve cheaper power bills through public renewables; and making polluters pay. One thing we can is tax the corporations properly so that they pay their way. Similarly, taxing gas and coal extraction. That money can then be put to work to help everyone get the health outcomes they deserve like putting dental and mental health into Medicare. These taxes could fund the state’s NDIS responsibility.
Paul says, “We can afford to provide Uni and TAFE for free so that we can train people to the best of their abilities. The cost of living is rising so rapidly. To ensure we have good wholesome food we have to balance the budget so strictly now, especially with the cost of electricity and other household items. It’s getting harder every week to make ends meet. I will do my best to help everyone achieve a better future.”
For more information regarding Paul and the challenges he has faced please view the Guide Dogs Support Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC6P9wx-cSw
