28 August 2010

The Honourable Julia Gillard, MP

Prime Minister of Australia
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

The Honourable Tony Abbott, MP

Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott,

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you.

I’ve listed below some of my priorities should I be elected as the Member for Denison at
the 2010 Federal election. It’s a long list because it’s been a long time since southern
Tasmania, and Denison in particular, had a fair go from Canberra.

Local
Replacement of the Royal Hobart Hospital. In the interim, leasing of sub-acute
beds in private hospitals to help reduce the RHH occupancy rate to the
national level.
Stage 3 of the National Broadband Network complete by end 2012.
Withdrawal of all Federal Government approvals for Gunns’ Tamar River
pulp mill.
Immediate release of the $20 million relief funding for Tasmanian forestry
contractors pledged by the ALP and Coalition.
Stage 1 of the Southern Councils Transport Plan implemented.
The northern suburbs light rail funded and developed.
Re-alignment of the Brighton bypass to protect the Jordan River levee
Aboriginal heritage site. Upgrade of the Brooker Highway and Plenty Valley
link road.
Upgrade Hobart inner port infrastructure.
Realisation of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery master plan.
Stage 1 of the Glenorchy Sports, Recreation and Community Precinct funded
and developed.

National
Introduction of maximum $1 bet and $120/hour loss limits on all poker
machines in Australia.
Urgent action on climate change, including a price on carbon.
Honouring the word and spirit of the UN Refugee Convention.
Federal whistle-blower legislation.
 According the same funding priority to mental health care as afforded
currently to GP and hospital services.
Including dental care in Medicare.
Overturning the recent Federal Government decision to extend to 2014 the
review of the Federal funding model for education. Instead complete the
review by 2012, and implement the recommendations as soon as practicable.
Increased funding for tertiary institutions.
Increasing all Government pensions, allowances and other payments to levels
people can actually live on. Enhance the method of indexation so as to ensure
they genuinely keep pace with inflation.
A conscience vote on same-sex marriage.
Increased funding of aged care facilities.
The introduction of a national disability insurance scheme.

Office
Adequate staffing and office space to deal with the workload of an
Independent Member of Parliament.

Yours sincerely,

(Original signed)