Q&A with candidate Stuart Scott-Irving

QUESTIONS and answers with of Independent candidate Stuart Scott-Irving.

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?

With the vulnerability of the Pacific Highway to flood it would appear that the placement would be better placed to align with the Summerland Way to the west of Grafton. Engineering and environmental expertise would see the bridge impart minimal environmental impact and serve to address the 1 in 100 year flood model.

Given our already stressed dependence on the Pacific  for motor transport of materials and emergency situations, an alternative bridge and route is an immediate requirement, long overdue and could  readily be financed by my proposal to remove 1  tier of government, namely that of States.... Australia wide.

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

With plans already considered, location alternatives determined and the long overdue process delayed, completion within the next 5 years would not be unreasonable.

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?

Long an advocate of reducing Police numbers and placing community members at the forefront of responsibility for law and order, in the short-term I would seek to have all administrative duties undertaken by senior members of the Police, community members, retirees or the unemployed  to free up on-the -ground officers. Once that is undertaken, I would set up community teams comprised of the above and those within the judiciary and social welfare agencies to determine a better program of crime prevention, treatment and management.

In the immediate short-term it might be necessary to increase numbers by extending the Law / Minister-related budgets and seek outsourced security personnel, subject to Police Union vetting.

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?"

An immediate moratorium should be placed on all current production, exploration and investigation. Having a son as a Caterpillar contractor and his partner as an Xstrata coal mine manager in the Hunter region, I have received from them notice of their preparedness to respond to community concerns relating to their industry.

An undertaking from all associated with the industry should be that they personally will be responsible along with their Corporation for environmental damage and restoration.

I hold myself liable to the same extent should I be responsible for action or in-action.

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?

At the moment with little but my passing through by both the Pacific Highway and Summerland Way, I would favour to the west of Grafton to align with the existing Summerland Way because of the vulnerability of the Pacific route to flood.

Engineering and environmental concerns addressed, I would hope that the design would meet the needs of a 1 in 100 year flood.

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

As an Independent candidate, I have little hesitation in supporting or opposing legislation which both my community and I oppose. Having told students both Secondary and Tertiary that our next war could be over access to clean water, I have an identified recognition of the importance of environmental issues. 

7). I would like to know about your interest in the manner in which "Corporate 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?

The ACCC and FIRB have demonstrated their paper/toothless tiger character to date. I am very concerned at the Australian public's preparedness either to accept anti-competitive corporate behaviour or accept the futility of complaint. Politicians generally have demonstrated only to readily their willingness and openness to accept Board positions after careers in Government.

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

My word has been my bond to date, and I find no reason to change. It is demonstrated in my resolve to bring the 2 sagas of my proposed movie: "Snow in The Pocket," to the attention of the Clarence electorate members.

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?

If I gain the support I envisage both in the Clarence by-election and the petition to re-open the Bowraville Murder Investigation, the Clarence Valley should  experience such a growth in Tourism -related industries that supplementary sports and arts tourism growth will be a naturally occurring consequence.

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?

Short-listed in 1991 to managing Toowoomba's Carnival of Flowers, identified my capacity to co-ordinate a number of networks at local, state, federal and international level. Swiss interest in my proposed movie is well known and I have already an  established network of contacts in the Arts, including the Manning Valley Conservatorium, Byron Bay Writers' Festival and Screen Australia.