A SELF-CONFESSED “Menzies Liberal”, Margaret O’Connor will stand as an independent in the upcoming election.
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“I believe in small business, freedom from over-regulation, hard work and making sure that the weakest link in the chain, the poorest people in the community are taken forward,” Ms O’Connor said.
“I do not believe in public and private alliance with global finance, in the deliberate policies to widen the gap between rich and poor, in a wholesale alienation of state-owned assets.
“And, I do not believe that climate change is a myth.”
Forging relationships between Armidale and surrounding centres is one of her goals for the region, should she be elected.
The disparity in state and federal funding opportunities between Sydney and the bush are one of her biggest issues with government, and one of many reasons why she will not stand as an endorsed Liberal Party candidate.
“We have to do everything we can and start to seriously advocate for our region – to start working cooperatively with Tamworth, Inverell and the other towns,” Ms O’Connor said.
Council needs to be open to opportunities, she believes, and the industrial land out at the airport is the perfect place to start.
Incentivising technology transfer businesses, agricultural technology businesses and forging partnerships with the University of New England is something Ms O’Connor would like to see happen.
This would be linked with high value agricultural air-freighting at the upgraded airport, a development Ms O’Connor feels she is largely responsible for.
“To me an airport is the lungs of a community and an economy,” she said.
“There’s enormous potential here.
“But it doesn’t happen without people on Council stamping their foot and saying, ‘This needs to be a yes’.”
And, stamp their feet they did on her last term on Council.
Infighting between councillors was a major issue, one that they only really overcame a year into the piece according to Ms O’Connor.
“We did have to face a division between old and new councillors,” she said.
“But, one of my proudest moments was when we were sacked [the Local Representation Advisory Committee] and we had to have a group photo.
“There wasn’t one of us there, although we may not have always agreed with each other, that didn’t have a deep affection or kindness toward one another.”
Industry aside, Ms O’Connor said she would like to see a large, safe play area built for children in the community.