We asked some election candidates some questions

April 17, 2025

We recently asked the candidates for Calare in the May 3 federal election the following questions:

The questions were sent to the two Independents, plus the Labor, Family First, One Nation, Greens and National parties. The other candidates were not known until April 11.

---

Kate Hook - Independent

1. What do you think are the three most important challenges facing the residents of Calare that are within the powers of the Federal Government to address?

The three key federal challenges facing Calare are:

• The cost of living - rising housing costs, grocery prices, and energy bills are hitting families hard. We need national policies that provide relief, including rent guardrails to limit rent increases to once yearly and in line with CPI, cheaper home loans for first home buyers through concepts like a lower interest rate on mortgages for first home buyers, and genuine support to electrify homes and install solar and batteries to lower energy bills, which would be a permanent cost of living relief, not a band-aid solution like the one off energy-bill rebate.  My proposal for the government to cover the up-front cost of solar and batteries via Income Contingent Loans (repaid if and when you can - similar to HECS) means that low income households are not left out. It's a smarter option than bill-relief measures that cost the taxpayer, because under my policy, the government regains its investment as households can immediately start allocating a portion of savings to repay their loan, once they are relieved of that burdensome electricity bill.
• Healthcare access - rural and regional areas like Calare are being left behind. When it comes to the GP shortage, the Federal Government must step up with policies that get to the root cause of the problem as to why less graduates are choosing General Practice as a career path. It's only by making sure that Medicare rebates keep up with the true cost of providing medical care and that running a rural general practice remains viable that we'll see more people choosing General Practice as a career pathway . I'll push for more funding and tax incentives to attract GPs, support mental and dental health affordability, and strengthen Medicare.
• The energy transition - Calare needs real support to navigate the shift away from coal-fired power. That includes investment in new industries and employment opportunities, not just jobs in renewable energy generation but in the new businesses and industries that can be enabled with an abundance of cheap, reliable energy.  I will work for well-planned pathways for workers to identify compatible jobs or to refresh or gain new qualifications to attain well-paid, secure work.  My work between the 2022 and 2025 elections has been specifically focused on supporting communities and workers affected by the change.  I've seen change handled poorly and change handled very well.  The best outcomes by far are when communities are involved in discussion and planning on an ongoing basis, where they can ask questions, get unbiased, reliable information and feel "on the front foot" when it comes to negotiations.  What Calare does NOT need, is a nuclear reactor at Mt Piper, which is too expensive ($600 billion in public money or even $331 billion if we consider the Coalition's figure is your public money that can be spent on schools, hospitals, roads and housing), will take too long,  locking us into expensive electricity bills and less competitive exports until 2040, and presents unnecessary risks to water security, health and safety.  

2. The same as Question 1 but with specific reference to voters in Oberon.

For Oberon, the challenges are:

• Supporting farmers, businesses and communities through the challenges of a changing climate - droughts, fire risk and changing weather patterns are making farming harder. Federal climate policy must support adaptation, resilience, and fair access to renewable energy opportunities.  Cost of living is impacted by ongoing extreme weather events as houses and businesses become too expensive to adequately insure, and productivity is impacted by the need to replace stock, fencing, farm equipment, business assets and by the housing insecurity experienced by those who have lost their homes, such as those in Eugowra who are still living in pods, 2.5 years after the flood.
• A fair share of services like telecommunications, transport, health and more  - Oberon residents deserve the same access to Medicare, aged care, and public education as those in the cities. That means properly funded public services, tailored to the bush. Mobile and internet connectivity is still patchy, and getting to medical appointments or work can be a major hurdle. Federal investment in infrastructure for small towns like Oberon is critical for safety, health and for a strong local economy.
• Community participation in decisions that shape their future - the world is changing and our local regions are experiencing change too.  As the Federal MP, I will work to bring the community together so that change happens with the community, not to them. People have a right to be informed with reliable, unbiased information and to be heard on all the issues that concern them.  This is the way I've worked with communities since the last election and it's the way I'd do politics differently in our region, so that people no longer feel like they are being held at arm's length from the decisions that impact them.

3. The same as Question 1 but referring to Australia as a whole.

Australia-wide, the biggest federal issues are:

• Climate and energy - we need urgent, science-based climate action and a faster, fairer transition to renewables to protect our future and bring down power prices.  The Coalition's energy policy to halt the development of cheap, clean renewable energy and force us into 15 plus years of burning more expensive coal and gas would be like a wrecking ball to the economy on multiple levels. We can be a global leader in creating the goods that Australia the rest of the world
• Housing affordability - decades of federal policy failure have created a housing crisis. The government must invest in public and affordable housing, and seriously look at reforming the tax concessions that have driven up prices and squeezed supply, while still allowing people to benefit from an income from investment properties.  I'll push for lower interest rates for first home buyers, for policies that create a diversity of housing options that work better for young people and downsizers and guardrails for renters - (how much rent can go up, and how often) which is important to be able to attract the workers we need to our region.  Smart housing can be a drawcard to our towns and villages and boost the local economy.
• Integrity and trust in politics - Australians want to see an end to pork-barrelling, secret lobbying, and backroom deals. We need stronger federal integrity laws, donation transparency, and real-time reporting so that we have a political system that works for people, not parties and vested interests.

4. Will your How To Vote cards suggest preferences?

Where your preference goes is totally your decision.  No candidate can "give" your preference to another candidate - all they can do is make suggestions as to how you might vote by handing you a "how to vote" card at the polling place. You do not have to follow the instructions on a how-to-vote card, you can do your own research and rank your choices according to how they align with what's important for you. I will only be making one recommendation on my How To Vote card after Voting 1 for me, which is to Vote 2 for Andrew Gee to keep Calare in independent hands and out of the grip of the National Party. The Nationals have had enough time to make meaningful progress in our region and it's time for change. Voters always have the final say of course and should vote according to their own preferences.

5. In the event of a minority government being elected of which you are not part, what is your commitment to working with the governing party to implement their policies or to have those policies modified or adjusted?

Kate will work constructively with whichever party forms the government. Her focus will always be on the interests of Calare. If a government proposal is good for the region, she'll back it. If it needs improvement, she'll advocate for changes. And if it harms our communities, she'll stand against it. That's the value of a truly independent representative - accountable only to the people.

6. A question for independent candidates - are you prepared to reveal the sources of your campaign financing?

Yes. All donations are listed on the campaign website. Kate's campaign is funded by community donations and organisations like Climate 200 and Regional Voices. Donors can elect to remain anonymous up to the threshold of $16,900 but are encouraged to list their name on the website for any donations over $1000. Kate supports the call for real-time donation transparency and has consistently called for reform of political finance laws to ensure voters know who is influencing politics.

---

Andrew Gee - Independent (Current sitting member)

The answers are on their way but missed the publishing deadline. This page will be updated when they arrive.

---