1. Tell us about yourself:

I’m a local fourth generation farmer, married with four children and nine grandchildren.

I enjoy working with people and community. I adhere strongly to Judeo Christian ethics and endeavour to approach all issues with logic and common sense.

l found it easy to align myself with Family First as strong families are the backbone of a prosperous society.

We as a party are committed to fight for mums and dads, and in particular for our children, who are the future hope of our nation.

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

The family unit is under great pressure. Family First will fight for families on many fronts.

We support the principals of faith, freedom, enterprise and the sanctity of life, all of which are under attack.

Radical agendas are taking precedence over biological science.

Britain has just officially acknowledged that humans are binary - male and female. We should do the same.

Parental rights are being eroded.

We have to restore and strengthen the concept of parents being the principal caregivers and decision makers for their children. The state should support, not usurp them in this role.

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

• Cost of living:

- Bring back affordable and reliable energy. Energy costs affect pricing all through the supply chain.

- Pause net zero policies and consider all energy sources with a balanced and logical approach that is financially and environmentally sustainable. To be sustainable you first have to be profitable.

- Halve the fuel excise for 12 months.

- Investigate possible price gouging by the major food outlets.

- Pursue taxation reform for families.

- Provide registration rebates for larger families requiring vehicles with seating capacity of 6 or more.

- Identify reasons leading to family breakdowns. Consequential splitting of households leads to more pressure on housing availability and affordability.

• Health services:

In a recent Salvation Army survey in the Parkes electorate, ‘access to health care’ was voted the top social justice issue.

Access to local GP’s and ED in the regional and remote areas of the Parkes electorate, without need for excessive travel, has to be a priority.

We as a party will lobby for more rural doctor training, and a fairer distribution of the health budget for this electorate.

• Welfare of families, and family breakdown/crime etc:

We need to build strong families, and strong communities that will look after those families.

We need to build strong men who will look after their women and children.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” (Frederick Douglass).

It has also been said “it takes a village to raise a child”. Every family needs a caring village.

- Communities need to run programs that assist families.

- Government needs to have bold policies that strengthen families and don’t undermine them.

- Address root causes of domestic violence, addictions, crime and homelessness.

- Provide safe houses, simplify legal processes supporting victims of DV and bolster counselling 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?

Support businesses and bolster apprenticeship programs and expand local TAFE and university options for young people.

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

- Operational maternity unit for Parkes Hospital.

- Better access to GPs.

- Prioritise funding for both main and council roads.

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?

If there is any potential risk to the health and well being of the Parkes township and surrounding areas, then I can’t support it.

Any emissions of toxins at any level, from a large facility processing up to 600,000 tonnes of rubbish annually, in close proximity to a township and valuable farming land, poses unacceptable risk.

In Europe it is widely acknowledged the technology of these monster incinerators is now outdated.

Our national capital (home of our politicians), and other regional centres have rejected such a proposal, and so should we.

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

Lyle Shelton and Family First have this nation in their heart. As a candidate I have my feet firmly on the ground, and with many years of life experience am ready to serve this electorate and the nation.

My hope and ambition is to see strong families, freedom of speech and faith, enterprising business and healthy, vibrant communities caring for all.