Replies

Thanks for all the emails and support. However in direct response to some comments, I would like to clearly highlight that whilst I am dismayed by the major parties contentious border security policies that place asylum seekers in harm’s way - if elected, my focus will be on instances of physical and psychological abuse and neglect occurring only within South Australia. Whilst the last Australian parliament passed laws that empowered medical clinicians to intervene on behalf of asylum seekers, my goal is for the next parliament to pass laws that empower medical clinicians to intervene on behalf of vulnerable members of the Australian community. I don’t agree with all of the Greens policies but am thankful for their advocacy in championing the rights of asylum seekers.

Horror stories about our public health system continue to surface with disturbing regularity. Invariably the blame shifts from federal government to state government to the previous state government then to the previous federal government and back again. From the frequent ramping of ambulances, inaccessibility of health services in the regions, systemic issues around aged care and the NDIS, to cases of medical incompetence and negligence over periods of years – the unnecessary suffering experienced by many has informed my campaign and motivated me to do something. If elected, I will support all treating medical clinicians who wish to intervene and stop their patients’ repeated exposure to clearly identified physical and psychological harm.

Here are some brief responses to some other issues readers have raised:

*Privatisation of the ABC – I do not support either the privatisation of the ABC or further cuts to the ABC budget. The high esteem in which the Australian public holds the ABC and the significant cuts over the last 5 years demand that our next government must change direction and increase the funding of both the ABC and SBS in real terms.

*Raise the rate of Newstart and Youth Allowance – I support an increase in the rates of Newstart and Youth Allowance, above that of the regular minor indexation increases. The real rates of Newstart have not risen in 25 years and Anglicare today confirmed in their rental affordability snapshot, that there are only 2 quite isolated properties to rent in Australia that are affordable for a single person on Newstart. I support an urgent and immediate increase in the rate of Newstart and Youth Allowance, and whilst supportive of the work undertaken by ACOSS, I do question whether the recommended increase will be politically possible in the next parliament. A modest increase combined with changes in funding and accessibility around social housing, community, health and employment services, and a scaling back of the more punitive aspects of the welfare system, might be a more realistic outcome (and better than nothing at this point). The frequent poor bashing of the unemployed by some parliamentarians is yet another example of the growing normalisation of abuse of the vulnerable in our community.

*Recent Government approval of the Yeelirrie Uranium Mine – I do not support this mine, the manner in which it was approved (ignoring both the Tjiwarl traditional owners and the EPA’s opposition to the project), the timing of this approval and the delay and the method in how this announcement became public.

*Don Dale – The ongoing refusal by the NT and Federal governments to implement the findings of the Royal Commission into the detention and protection of children in the NT is one of many reasons I nominated to run for the Senate. All Australians, including those who have made serious lapses of judgement and are in the criminal justice system, still deserve to be treated with basic care and respect. I hope that the major parties hear, see and feel the effects of the mental health crisis rife amongst our indigenous youth and work to close Don Dale with greater urgency. Why do we spend millions of dollars on Royal Commissions if we are going to ignore their findings?

*Peace in the Middle East – I’ve received a large number of emails today asking for responses to the following questions:

*Help progress Australia joining 138 other countries and formally Recognising Palestine, giving them diplomatic equality with other nations AGREE

*Speak out against Israeli human rights abuses, including expansion of settlements being built on stolen Palestinian land, the blockade of Gaza, and the traumatic treatment of Palestinian children by the Israeli military AGREE (Please note that engaging with abuse and neglect occurring in South Australia remains my primary concern and that I also may speak out about Palestinian human rights abuses)

*If you travel to the region, commit to spending as much time in Palestine as in Israel NEUTRAL (In practical terms, I cannot specifically commit to spending similar amounts of time in each country I visit. However, if I visit Israel, I will also visit Palestine.)

*Commit to participating in the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group to learn more AGREE

This election is not just about a strong economy. Economic peace of mind is certainly important but the insularity that has dominated the last decade of Australian politics has meant that social change truly reflecting modern Australia has been forgotten. There is a massive disconnection between the values displayed in our community and those in our parliament. The hollow remarks about keeping Australians safe do not ring true - time and time again over the last decade, a range of diverse groups and communities have been scapegoated, blamed and wrongly accused by our parliamentarians. My campaign aims to support the most vulnerable individuals and to authentically change the conversation – to actively prevent unnecessary suffering and demand that the major parties do more to protect everyday people. 

authorised by Brett O'Donnell 126 Muller road Greenacres SA 5086