Migration
The incumbent federal MP for Clark, and candidate for the upcoming election, Andrew Wilkie, expressed his awareness about the Tasmanian communities' significant concerns, subclass 491 visas being one of them.
He said that he has received many phone calls, emails, and visits regarding delays in Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) processing over the last six months, making it the "most prevalent immigration issue".
"I can't explain why it is taking so long, but it is very unsettling for our hundreds upon hundreds of people here in Tasmania. And we are at the real risk of losing those people, of them returning to their countries of origin."
The Labor candidate for Bass, Ross Hart, expressed his concern over migrants not being able to obtain citizenship for their parents or grandparents because of their lack of English language literacy.
He said there should be a pathway to citizenship for those people.
"I have heard very loudly the concern that there needs to be a pathway for all the grandfathers and grandmothers to obtain citizenship. They shouldn't be left in limbo."
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie also appeared at the SBS Election Exchange in Launceston with her party's candidate for Bass, Bob Salt.
Referring to Australia's decision to accept the offer of New Zealand to resettle hundreds of refugees from Nauru and Manus Island, Ms Lambie said she is proud to be a part of it.
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie also appeared at the SBS Election Exchange in Launceston with her party's candidate for Bass, Bob Salt. Source: SBS
She said locking up people for 10 years was "rubbish", and it shouldn't be the case unless the person is identified as a threat to national security.
She went on to say she is not going to accept the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill in its current form, calling it "too harsh".
The Bill is to amend the Migration Act 1958 to specify that a person does not pass the character test—and may have their visa cancelled or visa application refused—if they have been convicted of a "designated offence".
Bob Salt is the candidate of Jacqui Lambie Network for Bass.
As Australia has "benefited from migrants", he said that every case should be treated individually.
"If you fly in or you come in a boat, what's the difference? I think basically every case should be looked at individually. We have to just be careful of who comes in, whether you come from America or New Zealand or wherever doesn't really matter. But we have to have a heart. We have to be considerate."
Daily living
The Greens' candidate for the Bass electorate, Cecily Rosol, said that she will work towards building more affordable housing if she wins. Source: SBS
The Greens' candidate for the Bass electorate, Cecily Rosol, said that she will work towards building more affordable housing if she wins.
She further described the Greens' focus on social justice with equitable distribution of resources in society.
"[The Greens' plan is] protecting the rights of the renters so that the cost of renting doesn't increase as well as making it easier for people to buy houses by putting a cap on the number of houses that people are able to own."
According to Ms Rosol, there are big inequalities Australia-wide.
Some of the plans of the Greens this election are to have dental and mental health part of Medicare, affordable housing and free education.
She further elaborated on how to achieve it, "We would like to tax the billionaires, tax the big corporations and, from that money, we would then put it into funding services that people need."
Referring to the Greens' policy of free education for everyone, Greens candidate for Clark Janet Shelly said it might look farfetched, but it can be achieved.
"Sometimes it gets out in the media, 'Oh these crazy Greenies, how are they going to pay for these things... Basically, our position is simple, we want to tax the billionaires," Ms Shelly said.
Referring to the Greens' policy of free education for everyone, Greens candidate for Clark Janet Shelly said it might look farfetched, but it can be achieved. Source: SBS
The Labor candidate for Clark, Simon Davis, was asked about the communities' concerns over people moving to other states searching for more opportunities.
In response, Mr Davis said more jobs should be created to solve the issue, emphasising "secure" jobs.
"You hear stories from a lot of people that they will get a job and then their new boss will tell them 'Well, congratulation on getting the job, we will give you a call when we get some hours for you', So I think it's really important that we create more jobs and importantly more secure and well-paid jobs," he said.
Mr Davis said that as a progressive candidate, he stands up for the workers' rights and voices the need for immediate climate action.
Labor's Ross Hart spoke of his opponent, incumbent Liberal MP for Bass Bridget Archer, and her ultimate decision to not cross the floor on the cashless debit card policy.
"Bridget Archer was quite correct in pointing out the dangers represented by the cashless debit card, but she abstained; she didn't end up voting against the cashless debit card."
Climate change
According to Mr Davis, the Liberal government has failed to act on climate change.
"We need to change the government because Labor has a plan to take action on climate change right now."
Like Mr Davis, the Greens candidate, Ms Shelly, also expressed an urgent need to act on climate change.
She said that during their campaign, people raised their concerns about climate change, housing affordability, cost of living and corruption in the government.
Ms Shelly, also a former employee of the Bureau of Meteorology, said climate change is real and should be taken seriously.
"I get to work with the scientists that actually write the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] reports that give the advice on how climate change is affecting us, the risk of fire, floods, severe weather.
"We know how bad climate change is and it's only going to get worse unless we take urgent action now."
Independent candidate Andrew Wilkie also spoke up on climate action. When he was asked about receiving support from Climate 200, a fundraising group pledging stronger climate action, and its impact on his independent agenda, he referred to it as "nothing more than a funding instrument".
"I have accepted what for them is a small donation; for me, it's huge, to assist me to be re-elected and to assist me as an independent."
He said there is nothing wrong with independents being supported by Climate 200 as, according to him, the Labor and Liberal parties are seen to be spending "half a million dollars or more" to hold or win seats.
