Greens candidate for Gilmore, Terry Barratt, believes the entire electorate should share the benefits of the National Broadband Network. He also advocates more government investment in renewable energy, education and housing.
FOR those who have grown weary of the two-party tussle in federal parliament, Greens candidate for Gilmore Terry Barratt says there is a third option.
Mr Barratt said Member for Gilmore Joanna Gash's retirement would create an even playing field at next year's election, and despite Labor distancing itself from the Greens during the past term, the party was a viable alternative.
"I'm really sick and tired of the major parties and the way they operate in government and opposition- it's puerile, it's annoying and I think the public are sick and tired of them for that reason. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that," he said.
"What the Greens say today, all these doomsayers will actually be agreeing with in 10 years' time - they may not be comfortable, the things that we say, but they have to be said - we raise people's consciousness, but I want to listen to what their objections [to the Greens] are."
Mr Barratt has lived in the northern Shoalhaven for the past 33 years.
He said a career with National Parks and Wildlife and Sydney Water had familiarised him with Kiama's issues, and he was also involved in the Gerroa Environmental Protection Society's fight against sandmining in the area.
"I'll be doorknocking as many houses in Gilmore as I possibly can," he said.
Mr Barratt thought the entire electorate should share the benefits of the National Broadband Network.
"It has benefited Kiama and everyone can see that, and it's getting into Nowra next year, but it's only going to be Nowra-Bomaderry in the immediate areas - those people a little bit further out, they won't get it for years yet," he said.
He said the government's focus should be on building resilient communities by investing in renewable energy, education and housing.
"This election is about ... recognising that what is good for the environment is also good for people and the economy in the long term," he said.
