RETIRED scientist Robin Gunning will fly the flag for the Greens in the upcoming state election, bringing the number of Tamworth electorate candidates to six.
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As an entomologist (study of insects), she was a principal research scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, with a focus on crop pests.
“I came up with many new and innovative ways to control pests for more years than I care to think about,” she said.
If people took the time to examine the Greens’ policies, Ms Gunning said they’d most likely find themselves agreeing with a lot of them.
“They’re the only party that has sensible policies,” she said.
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After the region’s “impossibly hot January”, Ms Gunning said it was clear climate change is a major issue.
“The Greens are the only party prepared to tackle it,” she said.
Promoting renewable energy projects within the electorate is also high on her agenda.
“There needs to be government money for feasibility studies – not a large amount of money, just seed funding,” she said.
While NSW Labor has announced 600,000 free TAFE courses for areas with skills shortages, Ms Gunning said the Greens go a step further.
“It’s Greens policy that TAFE should be free for everyone,” she said.
“Education is a lifetime process. Making courses available for free is going to greatly add to our quality of life. It uplifts the community and the individual.”
The Greens have historically polled in the lower single figures within the Tamworth electorate and Ms Gunning doesn’t expect that to change.
“But it’s important to give people the choice,” she said.