THE 2025 Australian Federal Election, which will determine the makeup of Parliament and the
\nleadership of the nation for the next three years, is this weekend.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the 3 May election, the Times News Group sent a list of identical questions to all seven candidates in Ballarat (either to their direct e-mail, or via their party).<\/p>\n
Responses from candidates are on this page. We received no responses from Terri Pryse-Smith (Pauline Hanson\u2019s One Nation) and Ian Maxwell Harkness (Family First).<\/p>\n
For information on how and where to vote, head to aec.gov.au.<\/p>\n
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JOHN BARNES<\/strong><\/p>\n RETIRED What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/em> Are you associated with or have you been <\/em>associated with a political party or movement?<\/em> Who are you preferencing?<\/em> What is your campaign budget?<\/em> Are you receiving financial assistance?<\/em> For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate? <\/p>\n CATHERINE KING<\/strong><\/p>\n MEMBER FOR BALLARAT<\/strong> What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/em> Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/em> Who are you preferencing?<\/em> What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance? For you, what are the three most important <\/em>issues in your electorate?<\/em> <\/p>\n LUKE PARKER<\/strong><\/p>\n GENERAL MANAGER CONSTRUCTION<\/strong> What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/em> Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/em> Who are you preferencing?<\/em> What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance?<\/em> For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate? <\/p>\n PAULA DORAN<\/strong><\/p>\n ENTREPRENEUR\/BUSINESS OWNER<\/strong> What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/em> Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/em> Who are you preferencing?<\/em> What is your campaign budget? Are you rreceiving financial assistance?<\/em> For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate?<\/em> <\/p>\n
\nLIVES IN BROWN HILL
\nLIVED IN ELECTORATE FOR ENTIRE LIFE<\/p>\n
\nLifelong activist in Ballarat civic life. Former Ballarat Council senior officer, councillor and mayor; past chairman of Central Highlands Water (during Millennium Drought). Countless other roles.<\/p>\n
\nAustralian Greens. 2022 Federal candidate.<\/p>\n
\nLabor ahead of Liberal<\/p>\n
\nApproximately $6000.<\/p>\n
\nAround $2000 in-kind from Victorian Greens.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>1. Cost of living crisis:\u00b7 Raising pensions and social security payments above the poverty line immediately.\u00b7Free dental, mental and GP into Medicare.\u00b7Free public education (and childcare), including TAFE and universities.\u00b7 Wiping existing HECS debts entirely. 2. Housing crisis:\u00b7 Freezing rents,
\ncapping future increases.\u00b7 Limiting mortgage rates.\u00b7 Grants, low interest loans to homes (owned\/rented). Building 610,000 low cost public dwellings over next 10 years. 3. Climate crisis:\u00b7No new coal and gas. Adapting to the threats from wildfires, floods, storms and droughts – dangers to future prosperity, biodiversity and wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\nLIVES IN BALLARAT CENTRAL<\/strong>
\nLIVED IN ELECTORATE OVER 30 YEARS TOTAL<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nLocal MP since 2001. Former social worker at Child and Family Services.<\/p>\n
\nAustralian Labor Party.<\/p>\n
\n2 John Barnes, 3 Paula Doran, 4 Luke Parker, 5 Ryan Redfern, 6 Ian Maxwell Harkness, 7 Terri Pryse-Smith.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Raise funds throughout year at events and through community donations.<\/p>\n
\nCost of living pressures – Cheaper childcare, free TAFE and student debt relief. Energy bill relief. Cheaper home batteries for solar. More tax relief. Health – Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. $1 billion into free mental health clinics across Australia. Investment in Medicare so 9 out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030. We\u2019ll ensure a PBS prescription doesn\u2019t cost more than $25. Housing and local infrastructure – We\u2019ll ensure more Australians can purchase their first home with 5% deposit. $10 billion to build 100,000 homes for first home buyers.<\/p>\n
\nLIVES IN TEESDALE<\/strong>
\n15 YEARS WITHIN THE GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nInvolved in sports organisations and community groups.<\/p>\n
\nNo involvement with any endorsed political parties.<\/p>\n
\n2 (Ryan Redfern),3(Ian Maxwell), 4(Terri Pryse-Smith), 5 (Paula Doran) ,6 (Catherine King),7 (John Barnes).<\/p>\n
\nWhat my wife has allowed me $3k<\/p>\n
\nNo, self-funded<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Cost of living. Stopping reckless renewable projects and preserving farming and agriculture in the community. Infrastructure or lack of infrastructure, only projects we receive are reckless renewable projects.<\/p>\n
\nLIVES IN BALLARAT<\/strong>
\nMOVED BACK TO BALLARAT IN NOVEMBER 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI am a member of Ballarat Business Women.<\/p>\n
\nFor the bulk of my career I worked in the media and so wasn\u2019t able to be an active political party member. Since starting my own business I have become more active with the Liberal Party.<\/p>\n
\nPlease see \u2018how to vote card\u2019 – pauladoran.com.au\/where-to-votehow-to-vote<\/p>\n
\nSupport from local donors and volunteers. I would describe our spending as considered.<\/p>\n
\nBuilding a strong, safe, and thriving future across electorate\/supporting business growth and collaborating to establish well-thought-out suburbs in growth corridors.
\nTaking a balanced view of energy supply.Making sure we don\u2019t destroy prime farm land and beautiful landscapes at cost of an adhoc Labor bender which ignores the needs of community and implements more red tape at cost of progress.
\nInfrastructure, roads, community safety.<\/p>\n