- Age: 26
- Occupation: student and paralegal
- Family: partner
- Lives: Candelo, Bega Valley. Lived in Eden-Monaro for a year; family connections to the area
- Political experience: first-time candidate
Standing strong on climate change is an issue for the whole nation but Eden-Monaro can benefit from jobs created in the renewable-energy industry, Greens candidate Tamara Ryan says. The first-time candidate, paralegal, and student says the electorate has the opportunity for more solar and wind farms.
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"We see it as a good way to use Australian-made steel as well as creating jobs for young people who really need it. In order to stay below the two degrees the earth is getting close to, we need to push for higher targets on renewable energy and sustainable emissions. Our target is 90 per cent renewable by 2030."
A need for better public transport in regional areas is another priority, she says: the Greens support high-speed rail connecting Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne and a reliable bus service between Queanbeyan and Canberra.
The Greens are also continuing to push for free public education and healthcare, she says, and she regularly hears concerns about underemployment and housing.
"One of the reasons I got into politics is I don't understand why we should have politicians who are so rich they can't remember how many houses they have, while 26,000 youth are homeless across Australia. Negative gearing and capital gains tax reductions are there to favour the wealthy class and investors, which is why we've been seeking to cut those reductions."
She says many Greens policies resonate with local voters, including protecting penalty rates for workers.
"I had a constituent ask me how we can support more refugees coming to Australia when we have problems like homelessness and lack of education opportunities, and I responded like that taco ad: 'Why can't we have both?' The working class needs to stop being divided by conservative fearmongering and really stand up for the issues that matter for the people of Eden-Monaro."
Ryan says the Greens support the Gonski education reforms, but want extra money focused on public schools and children with disabilities.
Many voters in Eden-Monaro, especially on the coast, are concerned about the environment, Ryan says, particularly native-forest logging and the super trawler. "People are really concerned about the threat to biodiversity but also jobs and local tourism opportunities around the coastal areas."
Despite Eden-Monaro being tipped to become more conservative after the recent redistribution, Ryan says voters are increasingly fed-up with the two major parties.
"I don't know if we will win or not, but if we can shift the rhetoric to the left and away from the neo-liberal policies we've seen in recent years I'd count that as a win. I've been out to areas like Yass and surprisingly a lot of them are supportive of some of our policies like ending live animal exports and renewable energy."
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