Paul Rossetto – Christian Democratic Party (CDP)

Problems like domestic violence are symptomatic of falling health, wealth and wellbeing and statistics show Farrer is falling behind the rest of the country. Our party respects life probably more than any other and we’re fighting hard for the respect and good health care of all citizens. 

We are calling for greater investment in services aimed at educating young people and treating drug addiction to combat the ice epidemic.

Lead CDP Senate candidate Nella Hall said illegal drugs like ice are spreading violence and suffering among families across all levels of our society.

“We need to overcome the indifference and apathy towards those affected by this scourge,” she said. “Ice is ruining lives, destroying communities and does not discriminate.”

While treatment delivery is traditionally a state government responsibility, the federal government needs to respond to this urgent need.

Ice is a menace in society, tearing apart many families and communities and it requires a concerted effort by all governments and the community. The problem requires all communities to act with courage and confront the root causes of this epidemic. We can do this by promoting access to education about drugs, educating young people about the positive values of our society and standing by to help those who face hardships and giving them hope for the future.

To do this we need to provide greater support through funding and access to affordable or free hospitals and addiction recovery centers in our communities. We want to see further support for non-government rehabilitation services and money for drug education.

The problem would not be solved by a liberalization of drug use as is currently being proposed by some parties contesting this election.

It also underlines the importance of providing access in our communities to services for people who suffer from a mental illness in conjunction with their addiction.

Addictive behaviour is a scourge on our society and needs a lot of effort to rid our communities of the problems these behaviors bring. Drugs, both legal and illegal have some very addictive characteristics and as such need to be restricted and even prevented from being available in the community so we support programs that will prevent increase of drug addiction.

Mental health issues have become (sic) of epidemic proportions in our community and need urgent remedies to control this problem. Drugs of addiction are a strong contributor to the poor mental health of many in the community and so we believe strong legal and rehabilitation programs must be put in place to restore community mental health.

Health services must be affordable, accessible and of a high quality. We support a streamlining of casualty services with the use of GP practices on the hospital site. Increase of hospital staff to have the maximum number of beds open as demand requires. We do not support downgrading of any hospital services

Access to education, good health services and job opportunities are some of the best ways to help individuals and communities address the issue of illicit drugs, alcohol abuse and other forms of addiction.

The recent clash between the Reverend Fred Nile and NSW Premier Mike Baird over the ‘unsafe schools’ policy (Safe Schools) shows the CDP is not to be pushed around like a puppet, we’re a party standing up for principles and beliefs and when it comes to protecting the innocence of children that is paramount.

Ron Pike – Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA)

These issues are at the very heart of our policy. it's our reason for being.

If we accept that to be born in Australia makes all of us equal citizens of this great country with equal rights to share in the opportunities and resources of our abundant nation and we very generously give the same citizenship rights to those who legally come here and swear an oath of allegiance.

We must recognise and teach our children that this citizenship comes at a cost. It is not for free.

The cost is that subject only to your mental and physical capacity to do so you will hold down a job or work in a lawful business sufficient to care for you and your family.

Therefore the most basic and prime responsibility of government is to run an economy and foster conditions that allow every citizen to meet these solemn responsibilities to our country.

No recent government has done so. Our practical policies will.

We recognise that when our people all have productive jobs, they have self-esteem. With a full time job comes the support of work mates and a needed place in society.

When we have this situation we will have less crime, less domestic violence, less drug abuse and lower taxation.

The result is more cohesive and happier communities and less need for government services and intervention.

A productive and prosperous Australia will be a proud and great Australia with proud and happy citizens.

In summary, the value of the lives of each and everyone of our citizens can only be purchased with achievement. Our policies provide the opportunity.

The only growth industries that have prospered from the Turnbull-inspired Murray-Darling Basin Plan are Centrelink and mental health clinics.

Brian Mills – independent (IND)

I would like to suggest a total solution to the problems of ice, violence and mental health and then refer to what can be done to ease each one.

I was born in Griffith and was aware that it started from basically nothing in 1915 when my Mum arrived at the age of six months. I was involved in some its 93 years of magnificent growth. Everyone had profitable work so there was no need to think about drugs to occupy idle hours, there was no frustrating idle time for violence and no one needed to brood about why a farmer could not do as well as his parents. In almost every case each farmer had inherited the base to build onto it.

What happened that caused our region and basically all of Farrer to move into decline? My research identifies four political decisions. The political system does not allow debate on why we should not have the keys to return to prosperity such as:

Instead of the above we should use tax payer funds for programs relating to ice, violence and mental health.

Sussan Ley – Liberal Party (LIB)

As Health Minister I’ve been part of a big reform of the mental health system and it’s been turbocharged by $192 million of new money announced by the Prime Minister on Sunday.

What that underscores is this government’s real commitment to mental health and a key component of the reform is for locally-commissioned services which means local people who are needing help don’t have to go so far to get it. Access to mental health services will improve across the board.

Our government has a $300 million response to the Ice Taskforce including additional funds for ‘detox’ and rehabilitation services for people recovering from ice addiction. 

The commitment we’ve made on domestic violence is to support women in environments where women are threatened and need additional safety and security.

Ultimately we need a culture where this is not accepted. A campaign we launched recently is aiming to educate young boys and men and it’s been well-received. We need to draw a line in the sand about attitudes about women.

Amanda Cohn – The Greens (GRN)

In my work at the hospital, I see the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol every day. I’ve seen overdoses, I’ve stitched up victims of drug-fuelled violence and I’ve seen what long-term addiction can do to someone’s health and relationships. People are not seeking help out of fear of facing criminal charges. It’s clear that what the government is doing and has always done is not working.  

It’s time to have a discussion about taking a new approach to prevent harmful drug use. Greens policy would see heavy penalties for the manufacture and supply of dangerous drugs, but civil rather than criminal penalties for individual drug users, who are often self-medicating for underlying problems like undiagnosed mental illness, or domestic violence. Let’s not punish those individuals who need help, and keep wasting money and police time locking up people who need medical treatment for their addiction.

Mental health professionals are chronically underrepresented in regional, rural and remote communities. On a per-capita basis you are four times more likely to find a psychiatrist and three times more likely to find a psychologist in our major urban centres, compared with rural and regional Australia.

The Greens would contribute $140 million in funding to attract and encourage more mental health workers in regional Australia and improve the skills of the workforce already there.

Investing in these kinds of preventive services is absolutely something we can afford as a society - not only would it prevent tragic and avoidable deaths by suicide, but would save our health system money in the long run by helping people early and preventing expensive hospital admissions later on.

Residents of Farrer must be able to access free early intervention in their local area. Having to travel to large regional centres or even capital cities is just not good enough.

Dr Cohn provided links to policies that were included as links above.

Trevor O’Brien – Mature Australia Party (MAP)

Mr O’Brien was unable to be reached for comment.

The full statements can be read online at www.areanews.com.au.