Name Mark Coulton
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Political Party Nationals
Age 61
Family My wife Robyn, son Matthew, daughters Claire and Sally, and grand-daughter Charlotte.
Where do you live? Warialda, however my role as Member for Parkes sees me travel all over the electorate.
What do you do for a living? Member for Parkes.
How long have you lived in the Parkes electorate? I have lived in the Parkes electorate my entire life.
What is the best part of living in the Parkes electorate? I enjoy the wonderful sense of community here.
Why are you running for the seat of Parkes? I am passionate about representing the diverse communities right across the Parkes electorate. The past 11 years as Member for Parkes have been very rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to deliver positive outcomes for my constituents.
This list is how the candidates will appear on the ballot. Click on the name to be taken to the profile. If the name is in black the candidate has not returned the profile.
- Daniel Jones, Liberal Democrat Party.
- David Paull, Greens.
- Jack Ayoub, Labor.
- Will Landers, Independent.
- Petrus Van Der Steen, United Australia Party.
What is your political experience? Prior to my election to the House of Representatives in 2007, I was the Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council from 2004 until 2007. I have since been re-elected as the Federal Member in 2010, 2013 and 2016, and have thoroughly enjoyed my role.
The crippling effects of the drought continue to be felt by the electorate's farmers. What kinds of measures would you fight to install to drought-proof the region? Is the creation of more dams part of the solution, and if so, where should they be located?
It is impossible to drought-proof a region, but what we can do is safeguard our ability to best use available water resources. A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will establish the National Water Grid - a statutory authority to deliver strategic planning and project management for water policy and water infrastructure. It will use the best available science to examine how large scale water diversion projects could be established to deliver reliable and cost effective water to farmers and regional communities.
Do you support the proposal to relocate immigrants to regional centres as a means of relieving pressure on metropolitan infrastructure and increasing the population of and diversity in country towns and cities?
In early April I announced that employers in the Orana region will be given a boost as a result of a new migration agreement between the Federal Government and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana to attract skilled workers to the region.
The Orana DAMA will cover Dubbo Regional Council and Mid-Western Regional Council along with the Local Government Areas of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, Warren and Warrumbungle. The agreement will assist a range of industries including agriculture, health, hospitality and construction, helping to drive economic growth and fill critical employment gaps.
I am supportive of immigrants moving to rural and regional centres for work, which can be extremely important to help mitigate our skills shortages.
Many primary producers in the region lament the lack of seasonal workers to pick their crops because of restrictions with the current visas system. If elected, what changes would you push to make to alleviate this concern?
In the 2019 Federal Budget, the Coalition Government announced it will introduce two new regional visas for skilled workers requiring them to live and work in regional Australia for three years before being able to access permanent residence. 23,000 places will be set aside for these regional visas. This is positive news that will help address a shortage of seasonal workers.
The Government will also invest $24.1 million to encourage more Australians to take up seasonal work, including the expansion of the existing Harvest Labour Services to an additional five horticultural regions experiencing significant seasonal labour shortages.
How should the federal government increase the export potential of Parkes' primary producers and manufacturers?
I was very pleased with the 2019 Budget announcement that the Government will deliver an additional $60 million over the next three years to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) Scheme to help more small and medium Australian businesses to export, grow their business and create local jobs. As Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, I see this as a very important measure. It was also announced in the Budget that $29.4 million will be spent on enhancing Australia's agricultural trade by accelerating horticultural market access, enhancing industry action on non-tariff measures, and a package assisting small exporters. These are designed to boost exporters' capacity to get our farmers' produce into overseas markets.
Do you agree with the idea of decentralising government departments to regional areas, and, if so, which departments would you like to see be relocated to the Parkes electorate?
Through the Coalition's decentralisation policies, we are making sure we identify Government jobs that can be moved to rural or regional areas, but as a Government it is also our priority to encourage businesses to do the same - to look at the opportunities that are in regional Australia. I work hard to ensure the Parkes electorate is front of mind for my Federal colleagues when it comes to decision-making that involves decentralisation.
What's your vision for our region and how will you encourage more people to live here?
This region is full of opportunity for those who are willing to have a go, and those people will be rewarded by a Coalition Government. We can continue to make this a wonderful place to live and work by investing in critical infrastructure and services such as the Western Cancer Centre. I fought hard to secure a $25 million Federal Government commitment to make this dream a reality. This will provide world-class cancer care for those who need it in Western NSW. Likewise, creating jobs through investments like the Bourke small stock abattoir, funded in-part with a $10 million Liberal and Nationals' Government investment. This venture will provide an estimated 200 jobs which is a boon for Bourke and the wider region.
What are you plans with the Inland Rail? Do the concerns of some residents who are impacted by the potential train track concern you? What infrastructure do you want to see built or fixed in the electorate over the next three years?
Inland Rail was the main reason that I finished farming for a career in politics, having seen the pressing need for nation-building infrastructure of this scale to pave the way forward for farmers getting their product to port. This will be a hugely beneficial piece of infrastructure for industries in the Parkes electorate and I intend to see it through.
What is your stance on the future of coal mining for the region?
Coal mining is an important driver of the economy in the Parkes electorate, as is agricultural production and other industries.
Do you support renewable energy? If so how do you believe Parkes is positioned to take advantage of the renewables market?
There is no question that renewables are an increasingly important part of our energy mix. Electricity generated from wind and solar will increase by more than 250% over the next three years, with $15 billion being invested.
The Government has provided significant support for renewable energy through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). ARENA has invested over $1 billion in world-leading Australia R&D and new technologies designed to reliably integrate wind and solar into the grid. The CEFC has invested $2.3 billion in 2.8GW of renewable generation projects worth more than $8 billion.
Solar plants in Broken Hill, Dubbo, Moree and Nyngan are a boost towards the 33,000 GWh Renewable Energy Target (RET). The RET has also encouraged investment in wind, hydro, landfill, bagasse and biomass facilities across the country. These projects show how hard the Coalition Government is working to accelerate Australia's shift to a sustainable, affordable and reliable energy future. Renewables also need to be firmed (or backed up) to ensure we can keep the lights on.
What policy do you have to reduce power bills?
The 2019 Federal Budget will ensure Australian households and businesses continue to benefit from the significant steps we've taken over the past year to lower power prices and guarantee 24/7 reliable power that is available when Australians need it. With a total investment of $1.88 billion, key Budget initiatives include:
-Investing $1.38 billion in Snowy 2.0 to support new renewable energy for Australia's future energy mix to deliver affordable, reliable power.
-$284.4 million for Energy Assistance Payments to age and disability support pensioners, recipients of Carer Payment and Parenting Payment Single, and veterans and their dependants receiving eligible payments from the Department of Veterans' Affairs to help with energy bills - $75 for singles and $125 for couples.
-$79.2 million over six years for energy efficiency standards and programs to reduce costs for businesses, community groups and households.
-$50.4 million to support feasibility studies for micro-grids in remote and regional areas, including off-grid and 'edge of electricity grid' areas where local distributed generation and demand management is used to ensure supply.
What policy do you have to deal with climate change?
We have a sensible climate policy that will ensure Australia reduces its emissions, meets our Paris Target and keeps the economy strong. Australians recognise climate change and the importance of protecting the environment and we do what is right for our environment, without taking a wrecking ball to the economy. That's what our $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package does. Within that plan, the $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund will partner with farmers, local governments and businesses to deliver practical climate solutions across the economy that reduce emissions. For example, farmers will be supported to revegetate degraded land and drought proof farms. Under the Coalition Government we have beaten our 2020 target by 367 million tonnes and are well on our way to our 2030 target.
What are your plans to improve mental health services for the Parkes electorate?
Mental health funding from the Federal Government will be boosted by $736.6 million, with $461.1 million focused on addressing youth mental health and suicide prevention, as announced in the 2019 Budget. The high rate of suicides, particularly among young people, is a national tragedy which we are taking strong action to address. I admire the work of mental health support services in the Parkes electorate such as headspace in Dubbo, Broken Hill, Gunnedah, Moree and Narrabri. The Liberal and Nationals' Government is also providing a record funding commitment for community mental health services nationally, including in the Parkes electorate, through Primary Health Networks (PHNs). The Western NSW PHN is expected to receive more than $42 million over a three year period to meet the specific mental health needs in our western region.
What do you think needs to be done to improve youth employment in the region?
I believe important investments into infrastructure and vital services are key to promoting jobs and opportunities for youth in the Parkes electorate. The Coalition Government rewards those who have a go, and I will be the first to commend hard-working young people who are willing to invest time and effort in giving back to their community, through whatever skillset they may have. I was very pleased with the announcement in the 2019 Budget that the Coalition Government will create up to 80,000 additional apprenticeships in areas of priority skill shortage by investing $156.3 million in the new Additional Identified Skills Shortage payment. The Government will also provide 400 vocational education and training scholarships in selected Australian regions to support young Australians to gain the skills they need to secure ongoing employment. I am a strong supporter of Clontarf and other programmes to encourage young Aboriginal people to stay at school. Currently, youth unemployment in the Parkes electorate is below the national average.
What will you do to help reduce crime in the electorate? How are you proposing to curb the rates of drug use, particularly ice?
In March I announced more Local Drug Action Teams (LDATs) for the Parkes electorate including in Dubbo, Trangie, Warren, Moree, Cobar, Bourke and Wilcannia. LDATs work with service providers, schools, police, young people, Indigenous and primary health services and other non-government organisations to create change at a local level, and I am pleased that funding is being committed to help address the harms caused by alcohol and drug misuse in our rural and regional communities.
The Federal Government's National Ice Action Strategy will be extended for a further two years, providing new funding of $153 million for extra drug support in regional, rural and remote areas.
I recently announced $300,000 for Dubbo Regional Council to install new and upgraded CCTV to limit and deter criminal activity or antisocial behaviour, under the Safer Communities Fund. Dubbo PCYC and Bourke's Youth off the Streets will also share in additional funding under this program.
This list is how the candidates will appear on the ballot. Click on the name to be taken to the profile. If the name is in black the candidate has not returned the profile.
- Daniel Jones, Liberal Democrat Party.
- David Paull, Greens.
- Jack Ayoub, Labor.
- Will Landers, Independent.
- Petrus Van Der Steen, United Australia Party.