Philippa Clark, the Greens candidate for Banks, writes:
I’m standing as the Greens candidate for Banks because I care about what the future will look like for young people in Australia.
I was born at St George Hospital and have lived in Hurstville Grove ever since. I studied horticulture and business before embarking on my current degree in communications and law.
My family has always been politically engaged and I grew up hearing about the iconic social, economic and environmental reforms of Gough Whitlam’s government.
From 2013 to 2014 I was a member of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament.
In 2013, I joined the Greens and led the local campaign against the O’Farrell government’s planning laws that would have removed residents’ right to have a say on 80 per cent of new developments.
I’m passionate about youth advocacy, housing affordability, social justice, and protecting our environment.
This election, tackling climate change is my biggest priority. Instead of relying on coal, Australia should be leading the world in renewable energy technology and innovation and creating new jobs in a clean energy industry.
It is also time to show compassion and decency to refugees seeking our protection. The offshore detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru are no place for women and children.
The Greens will close these camps and give more funding to the UNHCR processing centres in our region to ensure refugees have a safe pathway to Australia.
Finally, everyone deserves a place to call home that they can afford. I’ll be campaigning for renters’ rights and reduced tax incentives for rich investors.
Right now it is easier to buy your fourth house than to buy your first house, and I want to restore fairness to the housing market.
On behalf of future generations, I encourage you to vote for a more caring and sustainable Australia – vote Greens.
