The following priority areas and policies have been developed through consultation with people from our community. Teachers, students, retirees, disability workers, religious leaders, doctors, nurses, childcare workers, midwives, business owners, farmers, home owners and renters- and many, many more.
These solutions come from you and Kate will work to bring about the change you've all asked for.
LASTING COST OF LIVING RELIEF
Families in Calare are struggling with skyrocketing prices whilst energy companies, supermarkets and corporates are laughing all the way to the bank.
Kate’s solutions for lasting cost of living relief::
Affordable Housing- Long-term investment in public and genuinely affordable homes.
Lower Energy Bills- Support to electrify homes and businesses with solar, batteries, and heat pumps.
Fairer Food Prices- Stronger regulation of supermarkets to tackle price gouging.
Better Healthcare- Attract more GPs and strengthen Medicare, including dental and mental health.
Fairer Tax System-Ease the burden on workers, and make big corporations pay their share.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Our housing crisis is a direct result of major party policies that favour big developers and tax-concessions over the needs of everyday Australians.
Kates solutions for long term affordable housing solutions:
A special low interest rate for first home buyers- Help renters and young people buy their first home
Infill Development- Build affordable homes on vacant sites within existing town footprints, to avoid sprawl.
Repurpose old buildings- Turn under-used sites and vacant infrastructure into innovative, resilient, sustainable and diverse housing.
CBD housing- Boost central living to support local jobs and services.
Community input- Local voices at the heart of overall housing strategy, backed by the best available regional development advice.
A fairer system- Reform tax breaks, protect renters, and invest in regional infrastructure.
BETTER LOCAL HEALTHCARE
The regional health crisis is not only frustrating, it can also be life-threatening.
Kate’s solutions for better local healthcare:
Fund immediate care- Back nurse practitioners, paramedics, pharmacies and allied health to ease GP access pressure now.
Boost Medicare rebates- Ensure rebates reflect the true cost of healthcare and medication and keep GP practices viable
Support rural GPs- Provide incentives, HECS relief, and better training pathways for junior doctors to pursue a career in General Practice.
Grow our own workforce- Continue to strongly invest in rural medical education and local training.
Strengthen communities- Build the services and infrastructure that attract and retain healthcare workers in the regions for the long-term.
CHEAP, CLEAN, POWER + LOCAL JOBS
Families and businesses in Calare are struggling with high energy costs.
Kate’s solutions for the energy transition are:
No Nuclear for Lithgow- Waste of time. Waste of money. Waste of water. Toxic waste forever.
No-default, zero interest govt. Loans- Zero-interest, no-default government loans to cover the upfront cost of solar and battery installation for homes and businesses.
Power a stronger economy- Clean energy unlocks regional jobs. We can build batteries, recycle solar and electrify everything- homes, businesses and transport.
Cheaper, cleaner transport - Make EVs the cheapest choice and install more charging stations across Calare. Good for drivers, good for the climate.
No Renter left behind- Energy efficiency standards and support for retrofits, to make rented homes healthier, more efficient, and affordable for all.
STRONG REGIONAL EDUCATION
All children deserve access to quality education, from early-learning through to study beyond high school.
100% SRS Funding- Delivered to all public schools now. 2034 is too late.
Universal access to childcare- Cap out-of-pocket expenses at $10 a day for three days a week, and make childcare free for low-income families.
Fix Youth Allowance Rules- To better support regional university students.
Support students on placement- Avoid “placement poverty” by implementing financial support for mandatory unpaid learning placements in essential sectors.
Climate Smart Schools- Equip schools with solar power, electrification and shaded natural environments for better learning.