1. What’s one thing you would like Casey residents to know about you as a person or as a leader?
I’m a third generation local. I went to school at Yarra Glen Primary School, Mt Lilydale Mercy College, had my first jobs in local Yarra Valley businesses and am raising my children in Lilydale with my wife. Casey is more than an electorate – it is my home, and that is what drives me to work for our community each and every day.
2. Can you tell us about your life outside of work?
I love being in our community. Whether it is spending time with my family, watching the Pies win, going for a run or visiting our local attractions and businesses. This is the best place to call home.
3. What do you believe are the three biggest issues facing the electorate?
Cost of living is the biggest issue impacting families and businesses across the board. In some areas telecommunications are a huge challenge, in others it is access to healthcare and the need for better local roads. I work everyday to improve each of these things for locals. With an electorate that spans 2,624 sq km, what matters to locals depends on where they live and their individual circumstances.
4. What are some of your key policies both locally and nationally that you would like to highlight?
I’ve announced that an elected Liberal Government will deliver a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Healesville to increase local access to healthcare. We don’t have a single emergency department within our electoral boundaries. Locals deserve access to healthcare that is close to home and doesn’t break the bank, and I am proud that an elected Liberal Government will deliver this in Healesville. I’ve also announced that an elected Liberal Government will reinstate the program to seal Yarra Ranges dirt roads. Labor’s decision to rip this funding from our community was devastating, and it’s time these roads were sealed to end the days of dust, potholes and mud. Another issue that has been raised with me since I was a candidate is the need for back up on our telecommunications network. I’m proud that an elected Liberal Government will provide $3 million to strengthen telecommunications resilience with increased battery back-up and generators in our community. Nationally, we will increase the number of Medicare funded mental health session from 10 to 20, provide small businesses with $12,000 to support apprentices and trainees in their first two years and get our economy back on track.
5. What’s your number one policy to reduce cost of living pressures?
The Liberals have long term and short term plans to reduce cost of living pressures. Our commitment to halving the fuel excise will see local residents save 25c on every litre of fuel. That’s a saving of almost $1,500 in a year for a family with two cars. We will provide up to $1,200 in tax relief to Australians earning under $144,000, which will directly benefit 67,800 locals here in Casey. In the long term, we will introduce the toughest divestiture laws to ensure all Australians get a fair deal at the supermarket checkout, alongside a suite of tax relief measures to support small and family businesses.
6. Why should people give you their vote on 3 May? What’s your final elevator pitch if someone is undecided?
I’ve spent the past three years working and delivering for our community, and together, there is so much more we can achieve. I have a strong local plan to deliver quality healthcare, better local roads, stronger telecommunications and improved local facilities, alongside our national plans to lower inflation, provide cheaper energy, affordable homes and safer communities. You can read more at liberal.org.au/our-plan and on my website at AaronVioli.com.au
