smartvote Australia

Profile

Jo Clay

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | The ACT Greens

Electorate: Ginninderra

Residence: Macquarie

Profession: CEO and writer

Select gender: Female

Year of birth: 1977

Statement:

I'm running for Ginninderra because we need to tackle the climate crisis and only Greens in government will do it. I also know first-hand how the green economy works. I'm author of The Carbon Diet, a project that cut my carbon footprint by 75%. I'm CEO of recycling company, Send and Shred. I'm also a climate activist. I grew up in Weetangera and I live in Macquarie with my partner, my daughter and our two dogs. I want to make sure my daughter's future is as good as my past.

smartspider

Questionnaire

Jo Clay

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.

Jo Clay

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

Canberra’s population is growing. We need more housing. The Greens will protect bush and farmland by keeping development within our current urban footprint. The ACT shares Australia's housing affordability crisis and we risk a whole generation being priced out of the market. The Greens $450M social & affordable housing package will address this market failure with 1,000 new homes. Our planning reforms will ensure we release major sites to high-quality housing, not just to the highest bidder.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

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

Light rail is popular with passengers. Stage 1 substantially lifted the number of people using public transport. It showed that Canberrans are looking for a good alternative. Light rail is powered by 100% renewable electricity, reducing Canberra’s greenhouse gas emissions. This will give us a modern green transport system. The people of the Woden Valley were promised light rail at the last election and cancelling it now would be a major breach of trust with the community.

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

Canberra has important heritage values and we are a world-recognised planned city with architectural heritage. We will bring people together to protect our heritage while providing more affordable, sustainable and attractive housing fit for climate change and a 21st Century city. The Greens comprehensive plan to fund the heritage system will substantially lift resources and ensure community groups and the Heritage Council have the resources they need to proactively promote our heritage.

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

The Greens believe landlords should need ‘just cause’ to terminate a periodic tenancy. The current 26 week notice period is better than the 4 weeks offered in other jurisdictions but “retaliatory evictions” still take place here. Tenants’ sense of security would improve if we ended no cause evictions. We think a landlord should be permitted to terminate with sufficient notice & a genuine need, such as where the landlord wants to start a business from the premises or demolish the house.

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

Endless growth on a finite planet does not work. The Greens believe in reducing our ecological footprint, but note that the ACT Government has little control over ACT population size. Instead, we will reduce our footprint with better urban design and a different approach to technology, transport, industry, food production and food consumption. I run a recycling company, which I set up alongside The Green Shed. I know first-hand that low-footprint businesses and circular economies work.

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

We saw the benefit of free childcare during the COVID crisis. The Greens want to increase access for working parents, but universal access lies largely with the Commonwealth. At ACT level, the Greens plan a faster rollout of free early childhood education for children aged 3 years and over of 15 hours per week. This will help parents, the childcare sector and childcare workers (of whom are 96% women).

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?

The Greens strongly support the right to protest. The BLM movement was an important turning point in the global focus on racism. I attended that rally and the last School Strike 4 Climate. Both complied with laws and used COVID safe communication & measures (eg. masks & social distancing). School strikers pivoted to a poster rally to avoid large crowds. All public gatherings must conform with health & legal advice and adapt to circumstances, but that doesn't mean we should ban protests outright.

8. Should there be tighter regulations of pokie machines?

The ACT Greens have been actively campaigning on harm minimisation measures for poker machines over multiple Assembly terms. Our motion in July 2020 was rejected by other parties in the Assembly. The Greens will implement stronger harm minimisation measures of $5 bet limits and $100 load up limits by the end of 2022 at the latest. We have also announced a range of measures designed to encourage and support clubs to become pokie-free venues.

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

Communities that lost schools in 2006 as part of the ‘towards 2020’ program are understandably worried about the impacts on their local communities. The extent of the reforms proposed in the 2006-07 Budget caught the community by surprise and created ongoing distress. I believe more can be done to attract and retain students in low enrolment areas, and that's why the ACT Greens will commit to no school closures over the next Assembly term.

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

The Greens supported this tax reform because we agree with most economists, who say our economy is better off if we phase out inefficient taxes (stamp duty) and replace them with broader property taxes (rates). But as the first place to deliver this tax reform, the ACT has uncovered downsides. We have suggested reforms and secured a broad review but this has been interrupted by COVID. We will push for more reform to ensure fair rates, especially for units and townhouses.

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?

The ACT Greens have joined a broader call to the Commonwealth for a permanent increase in the rate of Jobseeker. Newstart was far too low and it meant that people were living below the poverty line. We believe that funds are better spent supporting those doing it tough and economic measures should be targeted to those who need it. We don't believe in a blanket approach of reducing taxes for everyone.

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

In a time when the economy is under pressure from COVID, shrinking government spending to reduce debt would worsen the economic downturn and leave Canberrans worse off. This is a tough time for many but it's also an opportunity to build a better future. The decisions we make now will shape our society for decades to come. The ACT Greens are building a Better Normal. We will support our economic recovery with investments to tackle big challenges like climate change and housing affordability.

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

Restrictions were unfortunately necessary to protect the health and lives of Canberrans. Mass COVID spread could have overwhelmed our health system, resulting in a higher death rate and high rates of long-term illness. But as a business operator myself, I understand the big impact restrictions and closures have had. The Greens will push for growth in jobs across the environment, climate change, health, housing, infrastructure and arts sectors and support recovery packages.

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

No. Nor should gambling businesses. The Greens have long argued that no political party should accept corporate donations. We don't. During the last Assmebly debate on electoral reform, we tried to ban donations from gambling entitities and not-for-profit developers like licenced clubs. We also tried to cap donations to $10,000 per year from any individual or corporate group. Sadly the other parties voted against these reforms. We were pleased the ban on developer donations passed into law.

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?

The balance of decision-making powers granted to the Chief Health Officer make the Territory responsive and flexible to the current pandemic. The CHO’s decision-making powers and operational expertise are designed to strike the right balance in responsiveness and democratic transparency. We will review the government's response to COVID and come up with recommendations for reform but we feel current outcomes justify current arrangements.

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

The ACT Greens first proposed an independent integrity commission during the 2016 election agenda and I'm glad that we now have an Integrity Commissioner. All government bodies should have appropriate oversight. The ACT Greens have long believed that the contracted partnership with the Australian Federal Police to provide ACT police services should be subject to ACT oversight agencies, including the Human Rights Commission and Integrity Commission.

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?

The measures taken were necessary to keep Canberrans safe and protected. We have been lucky in Canberra but we have also had a well-managed system resulting in fairly low cases of COVID, very few deaths and much fewer negative experiences than elsewhere.

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

The Greens support a woman's right to choose how to respond to pregnancy. We proposed successful legislation in the Assembly to establish exclusion zones in areas surrounding clinics where women seek terminations. We have successfully ensured that medical abortions are available to those who want them in recent years. It is essential that we maintain a woman's right to choose.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

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

The Greens have always supported same-sex marriage and led the way to achieve it in 2013 (although those early ACT laws were subsequently overturned by the High Court). But the Greens also support the right to religious belief and practise. We do not see a role for the government to intervene in matters of faith, except where there is sufficient evidence to show that the effects of a religious practise are seriously harmful.

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

The Greens have been long-time advocates for dying with dignity. But the ACT is currently subject to the federal Euthanasia Laws Act 1997, which prevents us from making laws to permit voluntary assisted dying (despite the fact that self-government allows us to make other laws). Canberrans should have the right to debate and legislate on this issue, just as they can on other issues. I personally believe in allowing people the choice to die with dignity within a strong legal framework.

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

The ACT Greens spent years advocating for pill testing at music festivals. After multiple positive trials at Groovin' the Moo, we should commit to permanent pill testing at major festivals. People will take drugs whether we approve or not. Pill testing saves lives. It's also the best way to improve people’s understanding of the risks involved in drug use and it allows government agencies to understand if there are any toxins in the drugs people are taking.

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

The ACT Greens want a fully funded, public, secular education system that meets the needs of ACT students. We want the funding formula to support equitable educational opportunities and to be allocated in a transparent, accountable and needs-based manner (as outlined in the original Gonski principles). That said, we need more pastoral care in our schools. I support increased funding for secular youth workers and counsellors.

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

The ACT Greens support a sensible transition to a more sustainable, less car-dominated Canberra. We will also help people replace petrol and diesel cars with EVs. Car-free days work well overseas and help show how public space can be used in a more community-oriented way. Trialling car-free days is a part of the ACT Government’s 2019 Climate Change Strategy (led by Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury). As a bike rider myself, I'm keen to see the impact of car-free trials in Canberra.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

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

The ACT must continue to lead real climate action. The ACT Greens aim for net zero emissions by 2030. Climate change is the biggest challenge we face. With Greens Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury, the ACT has declared a climate change emergency and switched to powering the ACT with 100% renewable electricity. We will now focus on reducing other emissions, such as those from transport, fossil fuel gas, the built environment and food waste. We will also work towards a just transition.

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

The science is clear. Our climate is changing because of human activity and this is leading to worse bushfire conditions. Last summer's severe fires and unprecedented smoke are a taste of the climate change to come. We must act now locally, nationally and globally. I run a climate change project called The Carbon Diet. I know that with the right knowledge and tools, we can slash our emissions. This must be our top priority if we want a safe climate.

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

Crime rates are going down but incarceration rates are going up. This is due to various social issues and more effective policing. The ACT Greens believe that by building communities, not prisons, we can support individuals to break the criminal justice cycle and keep our community safe. Reducing recidivism means fewer victims, less cost and a safer community. We prefer Justice Reinvestment & intervention programs, which get better results than more imprisonment.

Definitely yes

Mostly yes

Mostly no

Definitely no

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

Criminalising cannabis causes more harm than good. While 35% of Australians have tried cannibis or use it socially, this choice remains illegal. We believe drug use should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal matter. Like all areas of reform, drug law reform should be based on evidence about what works. We also need to be guided by input from health experts, law and law enforcement experts, First Nations peoples and users.

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

The ACT Greens support First Nations Sentencing Courts (Warrumbul Circle Sentencing Court Circle for children and Galambany Circle Sentencing). We also support problem-solving courts (like the Drug and Alcohol Court, a 2016 Greens commitment). First Nations people in the justice system are often victims themselves or suffer intergenerational trauma. We should address their offending behavior, not just their offence. Note that these courts provide holistic, but not always reduced, 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.)

The ACT Greens are strong supporters of the new Community Policing Services Model. This increased level of investment and genuine community policing will make the ACT a safer and more just city, with less offending and more crime prevention. Early intervention and prevention provides social benefits, reduces recidivism and reduces long-term costs.

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.)

Social inclusion is critical to the health and wellbeing of individuals and the community. When people are active in society they lead better, more fulfilling lives and the entire community thrives. To ensure the ACT is a place for everyone, the ACT Government must invest in programs and infrastructure that make everyone welcome and able to participate in our public life and spaces. Communities must also be given the autonomy to implement and drive many of these programs so that they succeed.

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.)

The Greens support transport investment. We will tackle our transport problems by investing in public transport, walking, cycling, road safety improvements and electric vehicles. Experts say roads are like cupboards - the more you have, the more you need. We have not reduced congestion by building more roads and car parks - they simply filled up with more cars. Instead, the Greens will invest in better public transport and set aside 20% of the roads budget to spend on walking and cycling.

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.)

The Greens will invest $450 million for a massive increase in social and affordable housing. Funding will build 1,000 new properties along with support programs. 400 will be public or social housing properties and 600 will be affordable housing properties where rent is charged as a proportion of income. This housing strategy addresses the market failure for those locked out of private rentals. It will also provide COVID stimulus to the construction sector.