Q&A with candidate David Robinson

QUESTIONS and answers with Australian Democrats candidate David Robinson.

1). What is your policy on a second bridge over the Clarence River at Grafton. Where would you prefer it to be located and when will it be built?

As the bridge will have a large number of heavy vehicles, I'd prefer to have it away from residential areas due to the noise unless sound barriers can be installed. As for the ETA, its been many years in the planning, surely we can start some real work next year.

2. What will you do to ensure the Pacific Highway is upgraded to dual Carriageway. When do you expect the upgrade to be completed?

Highways are definitely a State Government issue. A lot of work is being done and money has been committed. Its simply a matter of continuing the push before the next major accident.

3. How many new police do you hope to deliver to the Clarence Valley and Casino? Where will they be stationed and when will that happen?

I want to see local police protecting local towns. Their own towns. Until the police numbers increase, I'll put aside my own government income to pay local security to do extra patrols around hot spots until the police numbers increase and personally pay for extra security cameras in hot spots to catch and convict instead of shifting the problem elsewhere. Crime will decrease within 1 month of my election. I can guarantee that. Even if it means directing all my wage to helping the area. 

4) The current increase and interest in the mining of Coal Seam Gas seems to be paramount in the electorate of Clarence as the large mining companies are coming into our area and carrying out their operations by stealth all in the sake of greed.

Are you for it or against it? And are you prepared to accept the blame if their actions contribute to the pollution of the Mighty Clarence and Richmond Rivers through "Run Off," because of the chemicals that have to be used in "Fracturing?"

As a Primary Producer i'm against anyone having more rights over my family land than that of myself. And without access to water, I will not be able to have stock on my land. I'm against any contamination and unfair mining.

5). Could the candidates for the Clarence By-election please give their preferred location for a second bridge crossing for Grafton and provide an explanation as to why they reached their conclusion?

I'll have to skip this question due to time constraints.

6).Would you go against your political party's policy to protect your electorate from any threat to, say, pure clean drinking water? 

Absolutely!!!!! One of the primary reasons I joined the Australian Democrats is that I'm not bound to pretend to be for something which I'm personally against. I can't stand up and lie and regurgitate what the leader of the party says when I and the electorate say No.

7). I would like to know about your interest in the manner in which "Cooperate greed" is increasing at such a rapid rate and wether you consider it is now time to act to stop its increase. Or do you favour it as most of our retired politicians seem to be getting involved in it through becoming members of mining company boards?

I would like the ACCC and other government watchdogs to have some bite and strength in that bite. To level the playing field so that small business doesn't shut shop when big business comes to town. A nation is only wealthy when all people of the nation have fair access to that wealth. Lastly, I turned 34 on the 15th November, retiring is not something I'm interested in.

8). When you make a promise, will you actually keep it?

Yes. Being an Australian Democrat, I don't need to conform to the Party objectives especially when they conflict with my promises.

9). Sports and tuition tourism is the fast growing tourism areas for rural Australia. What do the candidates feel need to happen to improve this for the electorate?

My desire is to kick start more small business by having government agencies do the paperwork they create, through local Business Enterprise centres. Allowing Small business to focus on creating cool, interesting and fun things for the region. Rather than having an idea but be punished with paperwork for wanting to do something with that idea.

10). With support for some of our long running festivals beginning to dwindle due to a change in demographics, should we also be putting more money into tuition events such as the heavily underfunded Artsfest?

This is a hard question. Money will always be tight. It depends on where the money is being spent. I'd like to see Insurance costs being paid for by NSW government or Local Government, especially where the event is held on government land or in government buildings. Then maybe we can get more festivals up and running without scaring the organisers with corporate costs.