I know many local people who can no longer watch television news and have stopped reading the daily papers due to the distress caused by an inevitable story about Donald Trump. The president will lie, he attempts to rewrite history, seeks to close down scientific research, deport people who rightfully call US home, withdraw from the Paris agreement and more.
In the coming federal election, we have the chance to demonstrate that Australia does not need a style of politics characterised by lies, denial of science and social division.
The major parties are both beholden to lobbyists for whom financial gain is the goal. (Why else would we be subsidising fossil fuel production to the tune of $28,000-a-minute and allowing the gambling industry to proliferate?).
The independent candidates seek to represent the will of the people and through this, we can avoid the extremes of populism. Australia does not need to emulate USA.
In our electorate of Monash, we have the opportunity to vote for Deb Leonard, our local independent candidate. Genuine local representation, evidence-based decision making and integrity in politics form the basis of her platform. Now, more than ever we need this.
Deborah O’Connor, Berrys Creek.
