I am delighted to be able to introduce myself to you as the Liberal candidate for the electorate of Lindsay at the upcoming Federal election.

Like many other local families, my husband and I work hard to raise our family and pay the mortgage. That is why it is important to us that the economy is well managed. We certainly could not afford the high interest rates we had when Labor were last in power.

My husband and I paid as much as 17% interest on our mortgage under the previous Labor government, and unemployment was almost twice as high as it is now – 8.2% when Labor left government compared to a 30 year low of just 4.2% now.

I am proud to live in Western Sydney, it’s a great place to raise a family. However, it is important that our area continues to improve. That is why I am fighting for:

 
• Extra police resources to tackle hoons, thugs and vandals;
• More funding to make our roads safer and less congested; and
• Better school facilities through the Federal Government’s Investing in Our Schools Programme.

Many local families I meet depend on a government that will responsibly manage the economy so we can continue to provide the services we need and invest for the future.

I have worked closely with Jackie Kelly over the past five years, and I am determined to build on the gains that we have made for the local area in that time. This includes more than $20 million in extra funding for local schools and the University of Western Sydney, and delivering funding for an after-hours GP clinic at Nepean Hospital so that local families have access to a local doctor around the clock.

I also care about our local environment, so I was proud to stand next to the Prime Minister recently when he announced $132.5 million to rescue the Hawkesbury Nepean River by improving water quality.

There are major challenges ahead with climate change and water. We must be careful not to rush to embrace the first solution offered, but work hard to find the right solution, which will protect jobs and the economy.

At this election our future is too important to gamble with by voting Labor. That’s why I am asking for your support.

Regards

Karen Chijoff

Liberal for Lindsay