Federal election candidate Q&A: The nine people vying for your vote in the seat of O’Connor

Before Australia heads to the polls on Saturday to decide who will lead the country for the next three years, we put some questions to the nine candidates facing off for the seat of O’Connor.

After a redistribution last year, 57 local governments now fall within O’Connor, a 1.1 million sqkm electorate spanning the South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Goldfields.

Liberal incumbent Rick Wilson is aiming to hold on to the seat for a fourth term, after winning 64.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote in the 2019 election.

Here is our Federal election candidate Q&A in ballot order.

Stan Kustrin, 64, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Place of residence: Perth but works in regional WA

Profession: Site supervisor of trains

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

Get unemployed Perth and regional people to work in the regions to fill shortages.

Enlist seasoned industry professionals to fix the supply chain issues and trucking problems rather than Perth-based bureaucrats.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

Invest in regional areas to provide employment opportunities for local young people and unemployed.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

I deliver on my promises. In 35 years in the resources industries I have consistently delivered the goods.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

Make MPs more responsible to their local electors rather than just following the party line.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Pauline Hanson, Twiggy Forrest, Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm and Wilson Tuckey.

Shaneane Weldon, 56, Australian Labor Party

Place of residence: Kalgoorlie

Profession: Teacher

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

The increasing cost of living is hitting people hard as the price of everything keeps going up under the Morrison Government.

Labor’s economic policies are all about growing the economy without adding to inflation by increasing productivity, boosting real wages in a sustainable way, and making life easier for Australians who are being punished by this cost-of-living crisis.

We’ll reduce the cost of child care making it easier for mums and working families to get ahead.

We will cut the price of prescription medicines and protect pensioners by freezing deeming rates.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

The choice at this election is more of the same under Scott Morrison or a better future under Anthony Albanese and Labor.

We need a Government that’s focused on policies that make a real difference to everyday cost-of-living pressures, to make sure no one is held back and no one left behind.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

Because only a Labor government will strengthen Medicare, deliver fee-free TAFE places, take real action on climate change by investing in renewable energy, and fix the aged-care crisis.

I’m passionate about a better future for my community, I see education and preservation of culture as key issues in our region and pride myself on being a role model within my community.

I’m working to ensure the younger generation of regional Western Australia have their voices heard, and I will fight for their voices in Parliament.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

It’s time to restore confidence in politics and our political system.

Scott Morrison promised an anti-corruption commission before the last election, and now has nothing but excuses.

You cannot believe a word Scott Morrison says.

Only a Labor government will introduce a national anti-corruption body, and we will legislate it by the end of the year.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Mark McGowan, Anthony Albanese, Cathy Freeman and Irene Greenwood.

Giz Watson, 65, The Greens (WA)

Place of residence: Perkins Beach, west of Albany

Profession: Administrator

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

The latest climate projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the South West of WA is the one region in the world where most of the models agree on the speed and scale of declining rainfall and the signs of the change.

We are in a climate emergency which is resulting in more frequent and extreme weather events; greater risk of floods, fires and coastal erosion.

This in turn is threatening our bushland and native animals as well as making conditions for farming more unpredictable.

Our response must be a rapid shift to a decarbonised economy, ecological restoration and more resilient agricultural practices.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

We are the developed country that has the most to lose from climate disruption.

At the same time we have huge opportunities to rapidly transition into a decarbonised economy fueled by our abundant renewable energy.

In order to prevent catastrophic climate change we must reduce Australia’s emissions by 75 per cent by 2035.

Only the Greens have the policies and commitment to achieve this transition that is so urgently needed.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

I bring the skills and experience of 16 years of service to West Australians in the WA State Parliament and am ready to serve in the Federal Parliament.

I have strong reputation as a hard working and accessible representative.

I am committed to the long-term health and sustainability of the communities and environment of the Great Southern region — a unique part of the world which is under unprecedented pressures.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

I would strive to change the culture so that Federal politics would be a safer place for women to work in all roles, eliminate the corrupting influence of corporate donations and push for an integrity commission with teeth!

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Emma Goldman, Petra Kelly, Judy Dench and KD Lang.

Isaac Middle, 34, Australian Federation Party

Place of residence: Esperance

Profession: Former youth mentor and disability support worker

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

I am not from these areas so I will not speak for them.

Issues I have heard in the town halls I have been conducting across O’Connor include cost of living, the impacts of overzealous Government mandates, environmental degradation, and under-resourcing of our health, aged and disability care professions.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

You could say that the most pressing issue for every community in Australia right now is a lack of representative democracy, more specifically the gap has emerged between elite decision makers and the people they serve.

While this gap exists, we should not expect any meaningful progress in any of the aforementioned issues.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

As a candidate for the Australian Federation Party, I have signed a six-step community pact that obliges me to represent the O’Connor community rather than any political party.

This pact includes monthly town halls, democracy education sessions, conscious voting, and consultation with citizen experts on key new legislation.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

A smoking ceremony in Parliament House, conducted by our Indigenous brothers and sisters, to cleanse it of the corruption that has seeped in.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

My favourite author Terry Pratchett; my favourite artist George Harrison; and as a Foundation, long-suffering Fremantle Dockers member, I will reserve the last two spots for Justin Longmuir and David Mundy once we win the flag this year.

Morris Bessant, 65, Western Australia Party

Place of residence: Furnissdale, Shire of Murray

Profession: Water services contractor

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

Ensuring the primary industries are visible long term, making sure live trade continues, in line with the best management practices.

Seasonal workers are needed to move as required.

The NDIS is stretched thinly over a very large area causing services to be restricted and an exodus of our aged community to larger centres.

One elector was telling me one nurse was looking after 22 patents in a nurse home.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

Lack of manufacturing, western countries rely on importing goods from countries with a lesser standard of living, which is fine until there is a fall-off in our standards, leaving many unable to find work.

Mining has to be better than “dig it up and ship it out”, we need to increase refining and downstream processing.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

I am offering to represent the electorate of O’Connor in Parliament, not a political party in the electorate.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

Ensuring laws are written to make all Australians equal and to look after WA’s interest ensuring that we do not bow to the Eastern States parties.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Former Kalgoorlie MHR Graham Campbell, former Canning MHR Don Randall, US President Abraham Lincoln who fought against inequality, and Australia’s best prime minister Robert Menzies.

Justin Moseley, 66, Australian Christians

Place of residence: Torbay

Profession: Maintenance business owner and former teacher of 41 years

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

A stronger economy with well-paid jobs is necessary.

This will take time, so the most immediate effect on the cost of living can be made by changing the current individual-based taxation system to one of family-based taxation, where the taxable income of the household is spread across all the dependents in that household.

Households can get ahead, the national pool of savings should grow and more money will circulate in our domestic economy.

Farm and business input costs are also unlikely to ease until we drastically reduce bureaucratic drag and create the conditions under which we can efficiently work towards making ourselves a strong, self-sufficient and generous nation once more.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

My top priorities for the vast and varied electorate of O’Connor will be to focus on our national security.

We are privileged to live in a country blessed with vast and varied natural resources.

We have a well-educated workforce.

Sadly, we have a degraded industrial infrastructure and a very limited degree of self-sufficiency, importing almost all of the heavy machinery, farm equipment, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, parts, fuel, etc on which we all rely.

Encouraging and enabling Australia’s mining, agricultural, manufacturing and supply businesses to grow in capacity and competitiveness is essential.

This must happen swiftly, with a minimum of compliance costs, in order to restore our wonderful country to a position of enduring, independent strength and prosperity.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

People should vote for me because the party has a comprehensive raft of mature policies providing a wise way forward for Australia.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

In order that we all, in future, have a well-informed and spin-free basis on which to decide how to cast our vote, I will seek to have the government of the day, after every sitting of parliament and before every election, publish the complete list of Bills debated in those sessions, showing the voting record of every parliamentarian.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Jesus, my wife, William Wilberforce and M.K. Gandhi.

Tracy Anne Tirronen, 56 United Australia Party

Place of residence: Kalgoorlie

Profession: Retail management

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

The increasing cost of living is a concern for all of us. The UAP has three policies that will address this issue:

1. Our nation’s debt will increase home loan rates to 4 per cent in two years and 6 per cent in three years. The UAP will cap these rates to 3 per cent per annum for the next five years.

2. The UAP’s 20 per cent zonal taxation concession for regional communities more than 200km from a capital city will put money in our pockets; encourage more families, health professionals and businesses to relocate; and stimulate rural economic growth.

3. The UAP will change how provisional tax is paid, relieving downward pressure on small businesses and contractors.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

We need to end all lockdowns and mandates.

People, businesses, and whole communities have suffered and are still suffering from these lockdowns and mandates.

Lockdowns have also caused untold damage to both our physical and mental health.

The UAP will end all mandates and ensure lockdowns never return to this country by introducing a bill of rights to protect the freedom of all Australians, and stop governments from overreaching into peoples lives.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

I will end all mandates. I will bring freedom back to the people.

I am passionate about protecting and being a voice for the people, living, working and raising families in this unique electorate.

I will make myself available, with ongoing visits to towns and will organise regular forums with myself throughout the shires to stay connected with issues concerning all.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

More transparency provided to the people on pecuniary interests of all politicians.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

My mum, my youngest son and daughter-in-law, and soon to be born grandchild.

I have not seen my mum for over two years, my son and daughter-in-law for over three years, and I look forward to being able to hold my first born grandchild.

Brenden Barber, 47 The Great Australian Party

Place of residence: Albany

Profession: Farm worker

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

Excessive use of power, coupled with the influence of foreign interests that has impacted not only our economy, but all aspects of people’s lives, including being locked out of their workplace.

We would allow people to return to their place of work, fully holding their employer accountable to the Commonwealth law and not the state.

We would bring Governments back under control as subject to the Commonwealth law, by reinstatement of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 UK.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

Excessive use of Federal and State power above and beyond Commonwealth law, this added to globalism and corporate greed, have drastically reduced the productive capacity of this great nation. See Lima Agreement.

We fully support small business, pensioners who are the pioneers of this country, restoring manufacturing to its full potential, reinstate sovereign banking throughout the communities and abolish income tax as it is deemed unconstitutional.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

Because at GAP we highly prioritise the freedoms and rights of all people of the Commonwealth allowing them full access to the entitlements generated from the assets known as the Commonwealth of Australia as granted and ratified at Federation.

Let’s get our country back.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

Restore our Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 UK as at Federation, which upholds the people as the “supreme authority” above the Parliament.

The politicians “must serve the people”, not the global manipulators.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Nicola Tesla, Peter Andrews, George Carlin and the Apostle Paul.

Rick Wilson, 56, Liberal Party

Place of residence: Albany

Profession: Farmer and Federal Parliamentarian

What is the most pressing issue facing the people of the region right now and how would you tackle it if elected?

Housing affordability is a big issue.

This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that, if elected on May 21, the Coalition would implement changes to the superannuation system that would allow first-homebuyers to access up to $50,000 from their super funds to buy a house.

And empty nesters would be assisted in efforts to move from a larger to a smaller home by being allowed to invest up to $300,000 per person into their superannuation beyond their existing contribution caps.

What is the most pressing issue facing the nation right now?

Australia is recovering from COVID, but we are not out of the woods.

We should not underestimate the extent of recovery still to occur.

The Coalition has guided the community and economy through the worst of the pandemic with important measures including JobKeeper and the extensions provided to JobSeeker.

Unemployment nationally is at 4 per cent, an impressive figure that every Coalition MP knows.

And we will aim to get that even lower in the full recognition that having a job is the most effective means of addressing cost-of-living pressures.

The Coalition is the only side of politics with a sustainable COVID recovery plan.

I encourage electors to stick with us, as changing horses midstream is never a good strategy.

Why should the people of O’Connor vote for you?

The people of O’Connor know me very well as a highly responsive representative of their concerns in the Federal Parliament. And I get around.

O’Connor now has more local government areas than any other electorate — 57 LGAs in all.

In the lead-up to the election, I’ve visited every one of them, many on several occasions.

All of these regional and remote communities can rely on me to represent their interests on key matters such as infrastructure provision, housing affordability and incentives for small business.

Is there anything you would change about Federal politics if elected?

Implement changes so that the several MPs who represent some of the more remote electorates can at times attend Parliament virtually.

Which four people, living or dead, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

Winston Churchill, John Howard, Leigh Matthews and Paul McCartney.