Q&A - 2022 state election - Euroa district candidates

Angela Tough - Labor Party - Victorian Branch What will you do to address the housing crisis in the region? Labor has already begun The Big Housing Build with $1.25 billion dollars committed to new social housing projects across regional Victoria. This includes a $765 million Minimum Investment Commitment to 18 local government areas with a significant regional town or city, or high population growth. Locally, Mitchell Shire has received a minimum investment commitment that will result in 71 new houses in Seymour. Labor is working with local communities to allocate the remaining $485 million. Through this work Benalla has already received money for 39 new houses. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will work relentlessly with the state and local government, advocating for further investment in affordable private and social housing across the seat of Euroa. In your final pitch to the Euroa electorate, why should they vote for you? Throughout this electorate the current Labor Government has delivered millions of dollars of projects to individuals, community groups, councils and businesses over the past eight years. The Labor Government is eager to invest in our region, yet our current member is not advocating for this investment, instead taking us for granted while we remain a safe seat. Replacing them with someone from the same coalition will achieve nothing. It is time for action and time for change - I can deliver both. I can be your voice in government. Annabelle Cleeland - The Nationals What will you do to address the housing crisis in the region? Access to affordable housing is crucial to protect the liveability of our communities. Under the current government more than 20 property-based taxes and charges have been increased or introduced, placing extreme pressure on housing prices, with waitlists for public and social housing blowing out. In contrast The Nationals will bring 50,000 housing plots to market across regional Victoria in our first term of government and introduce specialised flying planning squads to cut through red tape and fast track plots to market. The housing crisis is a matter of supply and demand. People are flocking to our region for the great lifestyle. It’s crucial growth is supported with top class infrastructure. Only The Nationals have a plan to do this. In your final pitch to the Euroa electorate, why should they vote for you? I’m a business owner and journalist with an incredible passion for our region. I want my children and their children to grow up here and raise their families here with access to the very best services and infrastructure. This means stopping the shocking disparity of investment in regional Victoria. The Nationals will implement a Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, virtually doubling investment in regional areas. My ethos is simple. I will fight for our community without fear and build on the great work of Steph Ryan over the past eight years. Brad Hearn - Liberal Party What will you do to address the housing crisis in the region? I would support the legislation of a 25 per cent Minimum Infrastructure guarantee for regional and rural Victoria. I back small business and those in accommodation, by cutting the cost of living, lowering utility costs, investing in the future and putting a freeze on local government rates, fees and charges. Most importantly I will invest in the future of country Victoria and bring back common sense to the parliament. I would unlock 50,000 lots to get more country Victorians into a new home, by cutting red tape and speeding up regional planning reform. I will also reduce stamp duty saving first home buyers up to $55,000. In your final pitch to the Euroa electorate, why should they vote for you? Together lets make this seat marginal and do more for rural Victoria. We have been forgotten for too long and it is time for positive change in the regions. I am proud to be local and fight for our towns. As an educator and a mental health therapist I know what is needed for significant reform in child protection, in our schools and healthcare services. Our district deserves better. Let’s work together to bring back common sense to the Victorian Parliament and provide a stronger country voice for our communities. James Bennett - Australian Greens What will you do to address the housing crisis in the region? If elected to represent Euroa the current housing crisis will be a priority for me. A large part of this crisis is being driven by the unaffordability of rental accommodation, with rent increases pushing many households to the brink and sometimes over. A cap on rental increases in line with wage growth is needed as a start. Renters are often treated poorly and face issues with maintenance and difficulties with agents and landlords. I will push for longer leases and stronger protections against unfair evictions. Almost one in three Victorians are renters and so we need a housing system that puts people before profit. Big property developers should pay their fair share to build more affordable homes. In your final pitch to the Euroa electorate, why should they vote for you? People living in the electorate of Euroa deserve a representative in parliament who is committed to putting people over profits and working towards a fairer, more inclusive society for all. What I envisage this looks like is phasing out coal and gas power with 100 per cent renewable energy as soon as practically possible. Unless we act decisively to address climate change we will continue to bear the costs in a way that will worsen our way of life and the things we take for granted. Your vote in this election is important.