Politics too often puts systems (read:red tape), ideologies and bureaucracy ahead of the people they are meant to serve. I believe that is backwards.

“People First” means government exists to serve ordinary Australians — not political parties, not lobbyists, and not abstract policy frameworks that look good on paper but fail in the real world. Every decision should start with a simple question: does this improve the lives of real people in real communities?

I have always believed that strong societies are built from the bottom up. Families, workers, small businesses, farmers, retirees and volunteers are the foundation of Australia — not distant bureaucracies or ideological agendas.

When policy ignores lived experience, it creates unintended harm, particularly in regional and rural communities where one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work.

Putting people first means:
- Listening to those who are directly affected by decisions
- Respecting personal responsibility and freedom
- Valuing local knowledge over remote control
- Protecting Australians from being sacrificed to political or corporate interests

A healthy nation is not measured by how many rules it creates, but by how well it allows people to live, work, raise families and build their futures with dignity and security.

That is what “People First” means to me.

Australia is one of the best countries in the world because of the values, freedoms and social cohesion that generations of Australians have built and defended. Those things should never be taken for granted.

“Australia First” is not about hostility or exclusion — it is about loyalty, responsibility and respect. It means that when governments make decisions, they should put the interests of Australian citizens, Australian workers and Australian communities ahead of foreign governments, multinational corporations and international pressure groups.

A country that does not prioritise its own people eventually loses control of its future.

Living in Australia comes with enormous opportunity: freedom of speech, the rule of law, equality before the law, religious freedom, and a fair go for everyone. These are not automatic — they exist because Australians expect them to be protected. With those rights also comes a duty to respect the country, its laws and its way of life.

“Love it or leave it” is a statement of principle:
- If you enjoy the freedoms Australia offers, you should also respect what makes Australia work
- Our laws apply equally to everyone
- Our culture, values and institutions deserve protection
- Loyalty to Australia should come before loyalty to any foreign ideology or interest

A strong, united nation is built on shared values, mutual respect and a clear sense of national identity. Australia should never apologise for wanting to remain Australia.

We can be welcoming, fair and generous — while still being proud, sovereign and in control of our own destiny.

Australians are among the most regulated people in the world — and it is costing us time, money and freedom.

Over-government happens when layers of rules, approvals, reporting and compliance grow faster than common sense. What starts as “good intentions” turns into a maze of bureaucracy that makes it harder to run a business, build a home, farm the land, or even deal with government itself.

The late Kerry Packer once captured the problem perfectly when he said that if the government wants to make a new law, it should repeal one first.
That simple idea reflects a powerful truth: regulation should never grow without limit. Every new rule adds cost, complexity and delay — and too often no one ever goes back to remove the ones that no longer make sense.

Every extra form, permit and regulation carries a cost. Those costs do not disappear — they are passed on through higher prices, slower development, and fewer opportunities, especially in regional areas where small operators do not have teams of lawyers and consultants to navigate the system.

Good government should be:
- Simple
- Efficient
- Accountable
- Transparent
- Focused on outcomes, not paperwork

When government becomes too large and too intrusive, it stops serving the people and starts controlling them. That undermines initiative, productivity and trust.
Reducing over-government is not about chaos — it is about restoring balance so Australians can get on with their lives without being buried under unnecessary rules. A strong country is one where people are free to work, build and contribute without constantly asking permission.

Freedom of speech is the foundation of every other freedom.
Without the right to speak openly, question authority and express unpopular views, democracy becomes an illusion. History shows that once speech is restricted, it is never those in power who are silenced — it is ordinary people.

Australia has a proud tradition of plain speaking, debate and disagreement. That is how better ideas emerge, mistakes are exposed, and power is held to account. When governments, bureaucracies or corporations decide which opinions are “acceptable,” society stops being free.

I believe strongly that:
- People must be allowed to voice their views without fear of punishment
- Political and social debate must remain open
- Truth is not determined by censorship or algorithms
- Offence is not the same thing as harm
- A healthy society does not need speech police. It needs strong ideas, robust debate and confident citizens.
Free speech also protects minorities, whistle-blowers and reformers — because it is often uncomfortable ideas that lead to progress. Once speech is controlled, the only voices left are those approved by those in charge.

If Australians are to remain free, they must be free to speak.

Australia is a nation built by migrants — including my own family.

My wife is an immigrant, and like millions of others who came here the right way, she contributes, works hard, respects Australia and has built a life here. That experience is why I believe deeply in fair, lawful and balanced immigration — not open borders, and not demonisation.

Good immigration strengthens a country. Bad immigration policy weakens it.

Australia succeeds when we welcome people who want to become Australians — who respect our laws, our culture, and our way of life, and who are willing to contribute. What does not work is uncontrolled or poorly managed migration that overwhelms housing, infrastructure, wages, schools and healthcare. Immigration policy must serve Australia, not ideology.

That means:
Immigration levels that match our housing, infrastructure and job capacity
Strong border control and enforcement of the law
Fairness to those who follow the rules
Integration into Australian society, not separation from it

A successful nation depends on shared values, mutual respect and loyalty to Australia first. We can be welcoming without losing control. We can be compassionate without being reckless.
Immigration should build Australia — not divide it or strain it.

The rising cost of living is one of the greatest pressures facing Australian families, retirees and small businesses.

When the price of power, fuel, food, housing and basic services keeps climbing faster than wages and pensions, people are forced to dip into savings, take on debt, or go without. That is not a healthy or fair society — it is a sign that policy is failing the people it is meant to serve.

Much of today’s cost-of-living crisis is driven by government decisions: high energy prices caused by unreliable power systems, excessive regulation, taxes and charges embedded in everyday goods, and policies that make housing harder to supply while demand keeps rising.

Regional Australians are often hit hardest. They travel further, pay more for freight and fuel, and have fewer choices when prices rise.

A serious approach to cost of living means:
- Affordable, reliable energy
- Lower fuel and transport costs
- Reducing unnecessary taxes and red tape
Supporting local production so Australians are not forced to import what we can make ourselves

People should not have to work harder each year just to stand still. A fair system allows families to get ahead, not fall behind.

Water is life — and in a dry continent like Australia, it is one of our most precious and strategic assets.

Secure, reliable water supplies are essential for farming, towns, industry, firefighting and the environment. When water policy fails, everything else suffers. That is why water must be managed in the long-term national interest, not traded away through political deals, speculation or poorly designed market systems.

I believe water should first and foremost serve Australians — especially the communities and farmers who depend on it to survive. Too often we have seen water separated from land, turned into a financial product, and controlled by large players who have no connection to the regions that rely on it.

In practical terms, water security means:
- Keeping water tied to productive land and local use
- Investing in dams, storage and regional infrastructure
- Stopping foreign and speculative ownership of water rights
- Balancing environmental needs with human and food security

Australia cannot be food secure without water security. We cannot support regional communities without reliable access to water. And we cannot protect our future by handing control of this vital resource to remote markets or foreign interests.

Farmers are not just another industry — they are the backbone of Australia’s food security, regional economies and national resilience.

I am deeply concerned about the pressure being placed on farmers across Australia. Rising costs, unpredictable weather, global markets and increasing regulation have created an environment where many family farmers feel overwhelmed and undervalued. Tragically, this pressure is reflected in the unacceptably high rate of farmer suicide, which should be a national wake-up call.

Despite this, government pressure on farmers continues to grow. Instead of being supported, many are burdened with more red tape, compliance requirements and policy demands that take time away from actually running their farms. These rules are often written by people far removed from the realities of agriculture, yet their impact is felt every day on the ground.

Farmers are practical, responsible land managers. They care deeply about their animals, their soil and their water, because their livelihoods and their families depend on it. Treating them as problems to be managed rather than partners to be trusted is both unfair and counterproductive.

Supporting farmers means:
- Reducing unnecessary regulation and compliance costs
- Respecting property rights and farm viability
- Protecting food and biosecurity
- Making sure farming families are not driven out by policy

A country that cannot support the people who feed it is not acting in its own interests. Strong farming communities are essential to a strong Australia.

Australia should never lose control of its own land, resources or critical infrastructure.

Foreign investment can play a role in a healthy economy, but when it crosses into foreign ownership of farmland, water rights, energy assets or strategic industries, it becomes a matter of national sovereignty. Once control is handed overseas, it is extremely difficult to get it back — and the long-term consequences are felt by ordinary Australians, not just balance sheets.

I believe Australians should be the primary owners of Australia. Our farmland feeds our people. Our water sustains our communities. Our ports, power networks and communications systems underpin national security. These are not commodities to be traded away for short-term financial gain.

In regional Australia, foreign ownership has already pushed up land prices, made it harder for local farmers to expand, and shifted profits offshore instead of back into rural towns. That weakens local economies and erodes the fabric of our communities.

A sensible approach to foreign ownership means:
- Protecting Australian control of agricultural land and water
- Keeping strategic infrastructure in Australian hands
- Preventing market distortions that lock out local buyers
- Ensuring foreign investment benefits Australia, not just foreign interests
We should welcome capital that builds Australia — but never surrender the assets that make Australia worth investing in.

Strong communities are built on strong infrastructure.
Roads, bridges, water systems, power, telecommunications and public facilities are not luxuries — they are the backbone of economic activity, public safety and quality of life.
When infrastructure is neglected, regions fall behind, businesses struggle, and people are forced to leave in search of opportunity.

For too long, infrastructure spending has been driven by politics instead of need. Major cities receive the bulk of investment while regional and rural areas are left to cope with ageing roads, unreliable power and inadequate services — even though they generate much of the nation’s wealth through farming, mining and tourism.

Good infrastructure policy should be:
- Practical and needs-based
- Designed for long-term use, not short-term headlines
- Built to serve communities, not consultants
- Owned and controlled in Australia

Infrastructure is also about resilience. In a country prone to bushfires, floods and storms, we need assets that can stand up to emergencies and keep communities connected when it matters most. Investing properly in infrastructure is not spending — it is nation-building.

Roads and transport policy should be about safety, mobility and keeping communities connected — not about revenue raising or ideological targets.

In regional Australia, roads are not optional infrastructure. They are how people get to work, take children to school, access healthcare, move produce to market and stay connected to the rest of the country. When road policy is designed by people who do not drive long rural distances, it creates dangerous and expensive outcomes.

I have seen how one-size-fits-all approaches — particularly blanket speed reductions and rigid compliance systems — can increase driver fatigue, reduce concentration and actually make country roads less safe. Safety is not just about numbers on a sign; it is about how humans interact with long distances, road design, traffic mix and fatigue.

Transport policy must reflect real-world conditions:
- Rural highways are not suburban streets
- Heavy vehicles, farm machinery and long distances require different rules
- Driver attention and road quality matter as much as speed
Well-maintained roads, clear signage, safe overtaking lanes and sensible speed management save more lives than punitive enforcement alone. Infrastructure and engineering prevent crashes before they happen.

A transport system that works for regional Australia must prioritise:
Safe, well-designed roads
Fair and practical road rules
Investment in maintenance and upgrades
Respect for the realities of rural travel

Australians should be able to travel safely and efficiently without being treated as revenue sources by distant bureaucracies. Strong regions depend on strong transport networks.

Energy is not just an environmental issue — it is an economic and national security issue.

Every home, farm, hospital, factory and business depends on reliable, affordable power. When energy becomes expensive or unstable, everything becomes more expensive and less secure. That is exactly what Australians are experiencing now.
For too long, energy policy has been driven by ideology rather than engineering and economics. Chasing targets instead of reliability has led to higher power bills, grid instability and the closure of dependable generation without practical replacements in place.

Real energy solutions are based on facts, not slogans:
- Power must be available when people need it
The grid must remain stable 24 hours a day
Prices must stay affordable for families and industry
Australia must not rely on foreign supply chains for essential energy

Australia is rich in energy resources. We have coal, gas, uranium and world-class engineering expertise. A sensible energy mix uses all of these assets to keep electricity cheap, reliable and secure while allowing technology to improve over time.

Environmental care and economic strength do not have to be in conflict — but reliability must come first. A country that cannot power itself cannot control its future.

Planning laws should guide sensible development — not destroy people’s property rights, investment and ability to house their communities.

Across Australia, state planning systems have become increasingly ideological and disconnected from reality. Instruments such as minimum lot sizes, environmental overlays and conservation zones are now being used not just to manage growth, but to sterilise land that was already cleared, already subdivided, and already intended for residential use.

This has had three serious consequences:
- It has stripped value from private landowners without compensation
- It has blocked housing supply at exactly the time it is needed most
- It has worsened the housing crisis by making buildable land artificially scarce

When government changes the rules after people have bought land in good faith, that is not good planning — it is unfair, economically damaging and legally questionable.

Private land is not government land. Landowners should not wake up one day to find their property effectively frozen by a rezoning or overlay they had no real say in. If land is to be down-zoned, sterilised or placed under new restrictions, there must be clear evidence that the landowner was consulted and that the change is genuinely necessary in the public interest.

Good planning should:
Protect property rights
Enable housing and community growth
Be based on science and local conditions, not ideology
Respect the investments people have made in their land

We cannot fix the housing crisis while governments are busy making it illegal to build on land that was already meant for homes. Planning should serve communities — not control them.

- On the Wednesdays that there are no Council meetings, Council usually runs “Workshops”, which are basically presentation days, where staff give presentations to Councillors. All this is done behind closed doors without any minutes or actions recorded, not only are things said the contravene the oath of ethical decision making but on numerous occasions commitments are made to councillors, which are denied at a later time.
- As your Mayor I will redirect these workshops to be minuted or recorded so that the community has transparency and particidants are held to account for what was said.

- I will reintroduce town hall meetings quarterly rotating through the shire. Members of the community will be welcome to have a transparent discussion with council on any issue.

Australia’s housing crisis is not an accident — it is the result of deliberate policy choices.

While demand for housing has surged, governments have systematically restricted supply through planning controls, zoning changes, infrastructure delays and development charges that make building slower, riskier and more expensive. The result is predictable: fewer homes, higher prices, and young Australians locked out of ownership.

One of the most damaging contributors has been the misuse of planning instruments. Land that was already cleared, already subdivided and already intended for housing has been sterilised by minimum lot sizes, conservation zones and shifting overlays. This has destroyed the value of private investments, reduced the amount of buildable land, and made it harder for towns and cities to grow.

At the same time, population growth continues — placing even more pressure on a shrinking pool of available homes.

A serious response to the housing crisis must include:
- Releasing and restoring land for residential construction
- Stopping unreasonable rezoning of private property
- Ensuring infrastructure is delivered before restrictions are imposed
- Matching immigration and population growth to housing capacity

Housing should be a place to live and raise a family — not a speculative asset controlled by policy failures.

We will not solve the housing crisis with slogans or subsidies. We will solve it by fixing the rules that prevent Australians from building homes on land that should never have been taken off the table in the first place.

Decisions about Australia should be made in Australia — by Australians.

Around the world, we are seeing growing pressure from international organisations, unelected bodies and multinational interests to shape domestic policy. These groups often promote policies on energy, climate, migration, finance, social issues and even road safety that may suit global theories but do not reflect the needs, values or realities of local communities.

When policy is driven by global agendas instead of national interests, ordinary people lose control over their own future. Rural communities, farmers, workers and small businesses are usually the first to feel the impact — through higher costs, new restrictions, and less say over how their country is run.

I believe cooperation between nations is important. But cooperation must never become submission.

Australia should:
- Set its own laws
- Control its own resources
- Determine its own borders
- Make its own economic and social decisions

International agreements should serve Australia, not override it. Our government is accountable to Australian voters — not to global institutions, foreign bureaucrats or activist networks.

A strong, independent Australia can work with the world without being controlled by it. National sovereignty is not outdated — it is essential.

Climate policy must be grounded in science, realism and fairness — not fear, ideology or economic self-harm.

Australia’s climate has always changed, and human activity does have an impact on the environment. But it is neither honest nor responsible to pursue policies that punish Australians, destroy regional industries, or drive up the cost of living while making no measurable difference to the global climate.

We produce around one per cent of the world’s emissions. Even if Australia shut down entirely, it would not stop climate change — but it would cripple our economy, our energy security and the livelihoods of millions of Australians. That is not environmental leadership; it is symbolic sacrifice.

What does make sense is practical environmental stewardship:
- Protecting air, water and soil
- Supporting farmers and landholders as environmental managers
- Investing in sensible technology, not forced ideology
- Making sure energy remains reliable and affordable

In regional communities, climate policies written for inner-city politics have hit hardest — whether through land-use restrictions, unreliable power, or pressure on agriculture and mining. Good environmental management should work with people, not against them. We should look after our natural environment because it is our home — not because of international pressure or political fashion. Australia can be clean, productive and prosperous at the same time.