2016-06-10
The seat of Lingiari is teetering on a knife’s edge. The last federal election was decided by just 807 votes. As the next election looms, Labor’s Warren Snowden faces voter disillusionment. Meanwhile, many voters are suspicious of candidates keen to feather their own nests, remembering the CLP candidate Tina MacFarlane’s contentious water license and the sale of her property to Tropical Forestry Services (TFS).*
NT voters are concerned there’s no one to go in to bat for real employment, self-determination and a renewed economy. In response, the NT Greens have launched their own candidate for the seat of Lingiari, Rob Hoad.
Rob has lived in the Northern Territory since 1990. In that time, he’s shared his broad skill-base, delivering training in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and remote communities throughout the Top End and Central Australia.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people who are deeply frustrated by the policies both Liberal and Labor have let loose on the Northern Territory,” says Rob. “When practices like fracking and the Intervention have government support, people don’t feel respected. It hurts the country and the people.”
“For too long, both the old parties have treated the NT like a place they can use up, dump on and intervene in. It’s time to turn that around and stand up for the riches the Territory has to offer. Let’s show the Territory some respect!”
The Greens have a fully costed plan to supply 90% of Australia’s energy needs using renewable energy sources by 2030.
“With our sunny weather, huge tides and strong seasonal winds, the NT could be a major player in a sustainably powered future,” says Rob. “We don’t need fracking, and we don’t want it. By investing in clean energy, we’ll be creating jobs and securing a sustainable and prosperous future.”
As well as clean energy, Rob says NT jobs lie in our precious places.
“The NT is a popular destination for both Australian and international tourists. This popularity and the opportunities for cultural and eco-tourism can grow extensively, providing jobs and business opportunities for many Territorians.”
Rob has worked with the joint management team at Judbarra/Gregory National Park.
“The sense of empowerment that Traditional Owners and their families experienced during the hand-over of their country was tremendous,” he says. “Our Northern Territory parks have so much more credibility when tourists are greeted by Indigenous rangers who are actively caring for country both ceremonially and practically.”
The Greens support more funding for the ground-breaking Indigenous Protected Area program which hands country back to Traditional Owners to protect and manage, creating hundreds of Indigenous ranger jobs along the way.
“I joined the Greens because they’re a principled and constructive party with courage and vision who aren’t afraid to take action,” says Rob. “Voting Green means more voices in Canberra pushing for real action on the things that matter to Territorians.”
contact: Kristy Schubert, 0434 125 892
*CORRECTION: a previous version of this article incorrectly described TFS as an off shore company.