THE Central West Greens have kick-started their campaign for the federal seat of Calare by announcing Delanie Sky (pictured) as their candidate.
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Based in Blayney, Ms Sky is a social welfare worker and youth counsellor who hopes to ignite change in the region.
As a working single mother of three, Ms Sky feels she can offer the electorate a genuine candidate who isn’t blinded by a wealthy upbringing to the issues in society.
“I’m a single mum, I’ve been on welfare, I’ve done the hard yards – I understand the struggles that everyday Australians have,” she said. “For me personally, as a mother, the Greens have all the policies.”
If elected, Ms Sky said she would prioritise climate change to ensure children “have the chance of securing the healthy, sustainable future that they deserve”.
“The Greens offer real action on the critical challenge of our time, climate change; a positive transition to renewable energy and a just and sustainable society through a clean economy,” she said.
“We offer transparent political representation that puts people before corporate political donors.”
Social services and a humane policy for the treatment of refugees also rank high on Ms Sky’s agenda.
“[The government] is cutting so much from the social services, which is going to increase the divide between the poor and the wealthy,” she said.
Ms Sky intends to get out into the community as much as possible ahead of the election so people can get to know her, the party and its policies.
She will continue her youth work during the campaign, but intends to be a driving force for The Greens.
Ms Sky said it was important for voters to remember that they need to choose a party with the right policies to represent them, not a candidate.
“The Greens oppose tax cuts for high earners and prioritise quality of life for regional Australians by supporting our medical, education and social services to ensure our communities are not trapped by disadvantage,” she said.
Ms Sky’s nomination comes after Lithgow’s Anthony Craig announced plans to contest the Calare poll as an independent.
The Nationals have preselected Orange state MP Andrew Gee as its candidate to replace retiring MP John Cobb; while Jess Jennings (Labor) and Rod Bloomfield (Nick Xenophon Team) are also contesting the seat.