1. Briefly tell us about yourself and your background.

I'm a proud Ngemba woman who calls Brewarrina home. My mother's family are from Gundabooka and Byrock.

My achievements include being a published author (First Nations Principal of Culture Bible), owning my own business specialising in native foods, and being elected as a councillor on Brewarrina Shire Council (now in my second term).

2. Why have you put yourself forward as a candidate, and if elected, what principles would govern your representation as Parkes' federal MP?

Parkes is in need of change and as a writer, small business owner, elected representative and hard-working member of community committees and boards, I'm well placed to represent the Parkes electorate.

As a member of The Greens, I believe strongly in our four pillars and I'm guided by them in how I perform my role as a councillor, and how I would fill the role of federal parliamentarian.

The four pillars are ecological sustainability, grassroots participatory democracy, social justice and peace and non-violence.

3. What are your three key issues in Parkes and what action/policy/plan do you have to make a difference?

Climate change – it's happening now and is impacting our land and rivers. We are seeing more frequent extreme weather events such as floods and bush fires, as well as mass fish kills and serious loss of biodiversity. The Greens will push for strong climate action in the Senate and the House of Representatives, regardless of who forms government.

Lack of affordable housing – this is impacting both renters and first home buyers in many communities, and this has many flow-on effects. The Greens have the most comprehensive plan of any party to address the housing crisis. This includes building a lot more public and affordable homes, stopping unlimited rent increases and establishing a National Renters Protection Authority.

Size of the Parkes electorate – it's the biggest in NSW by far and parts of it are very remote. This makes transport and the provision of health and education services a challenge. At the same time, one in three big corporations pay no tax and this has to stop. They need to pay their fair share so that we can fund the services we need like much better public transport, and greater health and education services.

4. Explain how you would help create more opportunities for youth in Parkes – specifically around employment and education – to help diminish the need for people to leave the area?

We need to attract more businesses to the electorate and that often involves working across different levels of government.

And we need to ensure that the businesses we attract are in sustainable industries that have entry level positions for our young people.

We also need to ensure that post-school education opportunities in the electorate are attractive to our young people and provide them with the skills that businesses need.

Increased funding is important but equally important is making sure we're doing the best job with the money we have.

This comes down to working with councils and the state government to ensure we're all working towards the same goal, and that is one of my strengths.

5. Specifically for the towns of Parkes and Forbes, what change would you like to see or actions implemented?

Parkes and Forbes are both beautiful regional centres with a lot going for them and a wide variety of tourist attractions.

We need to promote these centres and encourage people to come and stay, not just pass through on the Newell Highway or when heading west or east.

As a second-term councillor on Brewarrina Shire Council, I know the importance of listening to locals and I know what it takes to make a regional centre a success.

I'll bring that experience to bear in supporting the Parkes and Forbes Shires to make the changes they need to ensure the long-term sustainability of their communities.

6. An Energy from Waste plant has been proposed to be built in Parkes NSW - while we understand this is a state matter,

it is also the biggest issue in our region right now. Where do you stand on the Energy from Waste debate?

The answer to our energy needs is renewable and waste to energy is not a renewable energy source.

The answer to our waste is increased reuse and recycling, as well as making producers responsible for their products through the full life cycle.

While burning waste may seem like a convenient way to address two different problems, it's not the answer and it's not worth the risk of polluting our air. It also encourages the use of problematic plastics and other waste, and increases greenhouse gas emissions.

7. In your final pitch to the Parkes electorate, why should they vote for you?

Parkes is in need of change and we won't get it unless we vote differently from how we've voted before. So I'm asking for your number one vote in this election to help create a better future for all of us.

And just as importantly, I'm asking you to vote one for the Greens in the Senate, so that Dr Mehreen Faruqi can continue her great work representing all of NSW.