Age: 51
Occupation: Farmer
Marital status: Married
Affiliations: Mike Neville, Anne Napoli
Standing for: Councillor
1. You’ve risen to prominence mainly through lobbying for Yenda flood victims. Do you think you will be perceived as a one-issue candidate? What will you do to prove otherwise?
The Yenda flood issue was a catalyst to motivate me to get involved. Once I became involved, I found there was a huge policy vacuum at council and MI (Murrumbidgee Irrigation) with anything to do with Mirrool Creek. When I started collating information and passing it onto council I received huge respect and inclusion, especially from the mayor. Since I put my hand up to run, I have been interacting with other people and organisations and am thoroughly enjoying the debate and discussion.
2. You’re known as a devout Catholic. How will that guide your approach as a councillor?
On the bottom of my posters it says, “capable, caring, committed”. The “caring” is the Catholic part of me.
3. During your campaign, you have been highly critical of wastage at council. Can you be more specific as to where waste can be cut?
No, not yet. Because of my economic background, I will be delving into the figures and reports and be very vigilant on council’s expenditure. I will be looking for ways to save money and be more efficient and productive. I want to make sure council invests in infrastructure and improves the productivity of the local economy.
4. You’re running with Mike Neville despite other councillors’ criticism of his decision to stand with an unresolved court case. Bearing in mind successive polls have shown the majority of people believe he should stand down while his trial is pending, why have you decided to run with him?
I believe in “innocent until proven guilty”. I also believe in Mike’s foundation, coming from a very well-known good family with a background in council.
He also spent time in the seminary studying to be a priest. Mike invited me to stand in his group ticket and I thought that was very typical of his inclusiveness. It’s hard, as a new councillor, to get votes, so I was pleased to be given the opportunity.
5. If you are elected as a councillor, what specifically would you be pushing for to help the people of Yenda?
I believe Adrian Piccoli, as a representative of the state government, is the key to resolving the blocked escape problem at Yenda quickly and politically painlessly. We need MI to participate in investigations. The state government has the legal power, the financial resources and the responsibility to make sure this happens. Council has a role to play in pulling together all the information uncovered and my role in council will be to see that the best outcome is achieved for everybody.