smartvote Australia

Profile

Marisa Paterson

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | ACT Labor

Electorate: Murrumbidgee

Residence: Waramanga

Profession: Researcher

Current political position(s): Candidate

Select gender: Female

Year of birth: 1982

Statement:

I have lived in Murrumbidgee for 15 years and I am ready to be your STRONG local representative. I am a social policy researcher at the ANU and decided to run because I am passionate about making a contribution to our community for generations to come. My research career has instilled in me an evidence-based and people first approach to policy development. I have FRESH, NEW ideas and the energy to be a strong local voice for our fantastic part of Canberra.

smartspider

Questionnaire

Marisa Paterson

The smartspider is a graphical visualisation of the political profiles of the candidates and users based on their answers to the questionnaire. Each of the 6 axes represents a formulated goal in a policy area (e.g. Welfare state, Law & order etc.) based on at least three questions from the questionnaire. A few questions have been assigned to multiple axes and some questions have not been assigned to any axis. For each axis a value of between 100 and 0 points can be reached. A value of 100, at the outside edge of the spider, represents strong agreement with the formulated goal of the corresponding axis. A value of 0, in the centre of the spider, means that there is no agreement with the formulated goal. The more similar the political profiles of a candidate and user are, the more their smartspiders will overlap. For more information on the smartspider and which questions are assigned with which axes, see the methodology page.

Marisa Paterson

1. Should the government release more land to build houses in the ACT?

Labor will continue to develop its Indicative Land Release Program that delivers a pipeline of new affordable land that adapts to the economic circumstances, without risking crashing existing property prices.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

2. Should Stage 2 of Canberra's light rail system commence as soon as possible?

One of the reasons I put my hand up to run as a candidate is that I want to see the light rail network expanded to Woden. I want to see the benefits of a modern, efficient public transport system connecting our suburbs, reducing congestion and enhancing livability. Labor will build light rail to Woden as the second stage of the light rail network, with City to Belconnen as the third stage.

3. Is it necessary to relax heritage protections of buildings to promote development in the ACT?

Earlier this year ACT Labor strengthened the Heritage Protection Act. I am committed to conserving and respecting the Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage of the ACT (including important cultural sites, places, buildings and objects).

4. Should landlords be prohibited from evicting a tenant without cause?

5. Do you think increasing the ACT's population is needed for our economic growth?

In order to grow the ACT economy, bringing innovative capital and business ideas and opportunities to the city, interstate and international migration is a useful component. This growth must be properly managed and balanced with appropriate provision of services and infrastructure, and protection of the bush capital heritage of the ACT.

6. Should childcare be free for parents regardless of their income?

As a mother of three children, the progression of my career and aspirations to make a contribution to our community has depended on childcare. The cost of the childcare is a critical issue in women's participation in the workforce. Labor has announced the introduction of universal three-year-old education for one day a week to be available for all parents from 2024.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

7. Do you think the ACT Government should have prohibited the Black Lives Matter public demonstrations during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic restrictions meant that the BLM protests were illegal in the ACT. I believe in our right to protest and show solidarity with the BLM movement, however, I respect the public health legislation that prohibits public demonstrations during a pandemic.

8. Should there be tighter regulations of pokie machines?

Labor has brought in a range of major reforms to electronic gaming machine regulation over this term, including reducing the number of EGM authorisations from 4,938 to 3,888, a reduction of more than 20 per cent, while helping clubs diversify their revenue streams and move away from an over-reliance on gaming revenue. If I was elected, I would work towards evidence-based policy solutions to reduce the harm from gambling in the ACT.

9. Should the ACT Government close schools with low enrolments?

10. Do you support the replacement of the stamp duty with higher rates?

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

11. Should unemployment benefits be reduced to their pre-COVID-19 pandemic level, once the crisis is over?

I am strongly committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our community. If elected, I would strongly lobby federal politicians to increase income support for the most vulnerable and retain increased social security benefits above pre-COVID levels.

12. Is reducing government debt currently the most important economic issue facing the ACT?

13. Do you think that a high number of job losses is acceptable if it can protect public health?

Labor considers that community health protection is a necessary prerequisite to be able to confidently reopen the economy and create jobs. As we have seen in other jurisdictions around the world, opening too early or recklessly can endanger more jobs by requiring further lockdowns. The Labor Government response through the pandemic has been to ensure it is safe to reopen, then undertake each step cautiously and gradually, based on expert health advice, while supporting workers and businesses.

14. Should property developers be allowed to donate to political parties and candidates?

ACT Labor made the conscious decision in 2016 to refuse all donations from property developers. We committed to making this law for all political parties and delivered on this promise with our legislative reforms.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

15. Should elected politicians delegate more decision-making powers to chief health officers during public health crises?

Labor considers the current division of responsibility between the Chief Health Officer and Government, with Assembly and Assembly Committee oversight, has been successful through the pandemic period. The division of responsibility between the Chief Minister and Emergency Services Commissioner also functioned well through the Bushfire emergency threat in early 2020.

16. Should the ACT Integrity Commissioner have oversight over ACT Policing?

17. Do you think there should be more limitations on the ACT government's ability to deploy mandatory lockdowns in response to public health threats?

18. Do you think that women should readily be able to obtain an abortion if they request one?

I believe in a woman's right to reproductive choice. Consistent with that right is the availability of safe, affordable medical and surgical procedures and the provision of counselling and support services.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

19. Should churches have the right to refuse to administer same-sex marriages?

Labor strongly supports marriage equality, but noted in the 2017 survey that religious organisations should retain the right to not administer marriage ceremonies.

20. Do you think that terminally ill patients should be able to end their lives with medical assistance?

21. Should pill testing at music festivals be prohibited in the ACT?

I support a harm-minimistion approach to drug legislation, policy and programs in the ACT. Pill-testing at music festivals and nightclubs to reduce people consuming unregulated, toxic substances that potentially lead to death or over-dose is consistent with a harm-minimisation approach. Consistent monitoring, ensuring that these type of policies are consistent with the evidence base and community standards is critical.

22. Should the ACT government accept Commonwealth funding for Christian chaplains in public schools?

23. Should there be more car-free areas in the ACT?

Labor encourages and has facilitated specific community events in town centre roadways, requiring the halting and diversion of traffic. This is not support for “car free days” across the city. Labor recognises that in a spread out city, a car is essential for many families to drop off kids, get to work and do the shopping. But we are also investing in public transport so that it’s a viable option for more Canberrans.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

24. Should the ACT relax its net zero carbon emissions target?

I strongly support the ACT Government's plan to meet a net zero emissions target by 2045 through multiple territory and household level initiatives. I support recycling and sustainable waste disposal, affordable solar heating and electricity options for residents, as well as being leaders in education and innovation in climate change solutions in Australia.

25. Are the worsening bushfire seasons a direct result of human-induced climate change?

26. Should people who break the law be given stiffer sentences?

I support Labor's approach to crime that is based firstly in prevention and education.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

27. Should the recreational use of marijuana by adults be a criminal offence?

28. Do you think Indigenous Australians who break the law should be offered alternative sentencing?

29. Should public expenditure on policing be increased or decreased? (Remember “more” could result in a tax increase and “less” could result in fewer services.)

Under the current agreement between the ACT Government and the Australian Federal Police, funding is increased every year to hire more officers and equip them properly for a growing city.

Much less

Somewhat less

Same

Somewhat more

Much more

30. Should public expenditure on multicultural and inclusion programs be increased or decreased? (Remember “more” could result in a tax increase and “less” could result in fewer services.)

As a candidate, I greatly support the ACT multi-cultural community and the ACT Government's approach to creating culturally and linguistically accessible services and support to enhance citizenship, participation and social cohesion. I also support investment in cultural and community facilities in the ACT.

31. Should public expenditure on roads be increased or decreased? (Remember “more” could result in a tax increase and “less” could result in fewer services.)

32. Should public expenditure on public housing be increased or decreased? (Remember “more” could result in a tax increase and “less” could result in fewer services.)

I believe in meeting the need in our community for public housing and accept that more could result in a tax increase. As a progressive, affluent community we need to ensure that we are supporting the most vulnerable.