A Q and A with Labor’s Naomi Oakley

Labor's candidate Naomi Oakley. (Supplied)

1. What’s one thing you would like Casey residents to know about you as a person or as a leader?

I am a hard worker who is straight forward and a passionate advocate for causes. I believe in standing up for what I believe to be right. I also believe strongly in good governance, transparency and acting with integrity. Humanity and charity are so very important to our society.

2. Can you tell us about your life outside of work?

I am a very proud sole parent of 3 adult kids – although some stages of my life have been challenging (living pay cheque to pay cheque working a few jobs including running my business ) these same things have defined me as an individual – and also enabled me to be a loving mother and a good role model for my children.

3. What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?

– Family related (family violence)/Cost of living (health/education /housing)

– Environment

– Connectivity (NBN: mobile)

4. What are some of your key policies both locally and nationally that you would like to highlight?

– Family focused support- childcare/kinder, public school investment/free TAFE/ HECS debt relief/family violence support (front line workers/social housing), healthy ageing at home

– Investment of $1 billion for mental health

– Small Business investment- $640 million

– Personally – highlighting how police veterans nationally require support (the same as our diggers)

5. What’s your number one policy to reduce cost of living pressures?

There is no simple solution. Effective support requires a range structural actions to be taken by government. Getting inflation and interest rates down. Providing fair tax cuts aimed to help those on lower incomes. Supporting wage increases that keep up with the CPI. Minimising the cost of going to the doctor and the cost of childcare. Reducing student debt and helping young people find an affordable housing and building social housing

6. Why should people give you their vote on 3 May? What’s your final elevator pitch if someone is undecided?

A strong local voice is important- to ensure this electorate receives the support it needs from Federal governments. But in addition to being a local member, the member for Casey will go to Canberra and take part in deciding national programs that will have a profound impact on the people of Casey.

Casey has been in the hands of the Liberal Party for the past 40 years and the current member has been up in Canberra voting against positive programs that would assist the people of Casey and supporting nuclear reactors.

If you elect me, I will be part of a Labor government and capable of advocating for Casey from inside government.

As well as working hard for you locally, I will be in Canberra not voting for nuclear reactors, but supporting programs that our community desperately needs:

– NDIS funding

– Funding for Family violence programs

– Housing for young and first home buyers

– Supporting renewable and our Environment

– Supporting funding for roads and improvement in Casey’s internet and mobile connectivity

– Supporting small business

– Supporting programs to assist people with mental health issues

Vote for someone that has worked in the community for 35 years, understands the issues we have here in Casey but who also understands how Federal government policy impacts everyone, including the people of Casey.