I have been in Darwin over 42 years and have been involved in several careers and projects over that time. Experience as Lord Mayor of Darwin, School teacher, Education Adviser, Technology business and business mentor, business consultant, small business operator and environmental consultant and researcher .
I am standing as the independent member for Wanguri for several reasons.
crop.jpg)
Title
Firstly, I am sick and tired of experiencing all the failures and problems of NTG policy due to inept and corrupt processes and the people I engage with are fed up too. There are solutions and we need to implement them.
One core reason for my decision is Youth issues and the government and oppositions’ awful response to Youth issues and Youth crime. The current response is failing everyone, it’s not helping young people and it’s not helping reduce crime, quite the opposite in fact.
I did a lot of research and consultation around Youth issues when I was Lord Mayor and have been on the Board of Youthworks for many years. The professionals who have the skills and mindset to make a difference are appalled at the “Get tough on crime” nonsense we are fed by both political parties. These strategies actually make the problem worse. There are solutions and the government needs to resource them.
I have a very personal perspective to Youth crime, stemming from the killing of my Step-grandson Kingsley Jnr., On 8 October 2022. He was living with us at the time, went to a party and was killed. Allegedly, one of the offenders was on parole from another knife violence offence. “Get Tough on Crime” is a narrow-minded con that doesn’t solve the underlying problems.
Another core reason for my candidacy is the lack of accountability, transparency and responsiveness of successive NT governments. Their appalling governance standards are letting us all down.
I served as the Lord Mayor of Darwin and have worked on numerous Boards and community groups. I have developed a strong belief that the community deserves to be informed and engaged in processes and when this happens better ideas and outcomes are produced, especially for complex problems.
I have also worked with the small business community as Chair of the Business Enterprise Centre Board and believe that the NT Economy will do much better if a small business strategy is at the centre of economic planning.
I have also been involved in a many environmental issues and am flabbergasted at the appalling state of processes in the NTG dealing with these areas. The nice sounding words are in much of the legislation but few of them are implemented, this needs to change if we are going to adapt to climate change.
I worked on issues relating to Fracking and I am appalled at the deception the NTG has employed in relation to this. I have a Masters in Environmental Management and their monitoring regime is appalling.
Please browse through the site and send me any questions or queries, or call me on 0411 881 378.
Authorised by Graeme Sawyer unit12/25 Rosewood cres Leanyer.