Kim Stephenson Advocate For South Coast

Let's advocate for what the South Coast needs!

Well if you have made it this far into the pages I better share some information with you.

I have lived on the South Coast for 15 years. My children where born here and have had an amazing community upbringing with some of the good old things that some people miss- like being able to play in the back paddock, walk to the shop for mum without fear of being abducted, know that there are friendly people on most streets that would help you out.

What I have noticed over the years is the increasing gap between those with an income and those without. I have called it the 'trapped in paradise syndrome'. Why? because I see people isolated by lack of transport, not getting to work or higher education, lack of work and the cloud of self loathing that comes with feeling despair, substance abuse and family violence, youth homelessness the list could go on but I think your getting the picture and all this goes on in a beautiful location and with a proportion of the population refusing to face this reality.

It is time that regional Australia got a better deal and that politicians stop being afraid of tax and debt. A fair tax system and managed government debt should not be seen as a weakness but again the reality that is needed to provide services to the people of the state- services we all benefit from on a day to day basis for a reasonable annual contribution